Diversity of soil arthropods in sugarcane in the Brazilian Cerrado: Influence of tillage systems, extraction methods, and sampling time

No-till sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) systems is considered as an interesting option to reduce the cost of production and allow the conservation of both soil quality and biological activity. This study was conducted at a sugarcane mill in Goiatuba, in the state of Goiás, Brazil, which grows sugarcane variety SP 813250. An experiment based on a factorial design (2 × 2 × 2) was set up to compare the diversity of soil arthropods in sugarcane grown under no-till and conventional tillage systems, the efficiency of two methods used to extract soil arthropods (Berlese-Tullgren funnel and flotation in saturated salt solution), and the effects of sampling time (morning or afternoon) at different times of the year (September 2015, November 2015, April 2016, and June 2016). A total of 2776 arthropods belonging to 11 taxa were collected. Acari, Hymenoptera, and Isoptera were the most abundant arthropods (89.3%). The tillage system and sampling time did not affect soil arthropod diversity. The Berlese-Tullgren funnel method was more efficient at extracting arthropods in the rainy season (September and November), whereas the saturated salt solution method was more efficient in the dry season (April and June). The highest soil arthropod abundance was recorded in the rainy season. Our results suggest that the soil disturbance caused by tilling has no effect on soil arthropod diversity in sugarcane plantations. •We evaluated soil arthropod diversity in different sugarcane tillage systems.•Soil arthropod diversity was similar between no-till and conventional tillage systems.•The highest abundance of soil arthropods was recorded in the rainy season.•Berlese-Tullgren was more efficient for extracting arthropods in the rainy season.•Flotation in saturated salt solution method was more efficient in the dry season.