D3069: Effects of climate-smart agriculture on pest and beneficial soil arthropod communities

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are increasingly adopted worldwide to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. However, the effects of these CSA practices on soil arthropods, which contribute to the decomposition of organic matter, soil health, and the enhancement of soil ecosystem resilience, remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact of various CSA practices on soil arthropod biodiversity, crop performance, and soil health in the Pacific Northwest. Adopted CSA practices include (i) Typical business-as-usual (BAU) winter wheat, and spring cereal (ii) 15% applied nitrogen sourced from manure, (iii) BAU with no fertilizer, (v) Reduced nitrogen levels by 15% (vi) Spring cover crop, (vii) BAU canola, (viii) BAU peas. A small-plot trial was initiated in the fall of 2024 at the University of Idaho, with four CSA practices and four replications. In the fall of 2024 and during summer 2025, soil arthropods were extracted from soil samples from each plot using Berlese-Tullgren funnels and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level (family or order). Soil arthropod community structure in fall 2024 was similar across the experimental plots. Shifts in soil arthropod communities following implementation of CSA practices: the initial data showed that arthropod counts in compost have significantly increased, with Prostigmata being the most numerous, followed by Oribatida, Mesostigmata, and Collembola. This is followed by the cover crops, which exhibit  same pattern of abundance. This research aims to help growers and researchers understand management practices that enhance soil arthropod communities, thereby improving soil health and crop performance.