Nutrient composition of pill millipede manure of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Nutrient composition of the manure of four pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera dalyi, A. davisoni, A. fumosa and A. magna) inhabiting in semi-evergreen forests and plantations of the Western Ghats of Southwest India was evaluated. The quantity and quality of fecal pellets differed between millipedes and their habitats (forest and plantation). Organic carbon content in manure was lower in plantations than in forests, while nitrogen content was elevated in plantations. The carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of manure was lower in plantations compared to forests. The phosphorus content in manure was elevated in plantations in all except for A. dalyi. Calcium content of manure was increased in plantations than in forests. The contents of magnesium, potassium and phenolics in manure showed varied results. The mass of fecal pellets was correlated only with volume in forests (r=0.882; p < 0.01) and pH in plantations (r=0.616; p < 0.05), while the volume of fecal pellets was correlated with nitrogen content in forests (r=0.751; p < 0.01) and calcium in plantations (r=−0.619; p < 0.05). The conductivity was positively correlated with phosphorus and potassium, while magnesium was negatively correlated in forests as well as plantations. Potassium and magnesium were negatively correlated in forests (r=−0.920; p < 0.001) and plantations (r=0.692; p < 0.05). Overall, the physicochemical characteristics and nutrient composition of fecal pelets differed between millipedes as well as habitats. The low carbon to nitrogen ratio and the increased nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium content in the manure of millipedes inhabiting in plantations indicates possibilities for successfully employing them for in situ composting of forest or plantation residues.

Keywords

Arthrosphaera / fecal pellets / forests / manure / organic farming / pill millipedes / plantations / Western Ghats

References

[1] Anderson JM, Ineson P, Huish SA. Nitrogen and cation mobilization by soil fauna feeding on leaf litter and soil organic matter from deciduous woodlands. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 1983, 15: 463-467.

[2] AOAC. Official Methods of Analysis, 1990 (15th Edition) Washington DC: Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 808.

[3] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Feeding response of an endemic pill millipede Arthrosphaera magna Attems to plantation litter. Journal of Plantation Crops, 2006, 34: 58-62.

[4] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Seasonal abundance and activity of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera magna) in mixed plantation and semi-evergreen forest of southern India. Acta Oecologica, 2006, 29: 27-32.

[5] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Breakdown of plantation residues by pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera magna) and assessment of compost quality. Current Science, 2006, 90: 954-959.

[6] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Evaluation of pill millipede (Arthrosphaera magna) compost on plant growth and dry matter yield. Electronic Journal of Environmental Agricultural Food Chemistry, 2006, 5: 1323-1329.

[7] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Towards organic farming with millipede — Arthrosphaera magna. Current Science, 2002, 82: 20-22.

[8] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Leaf litter preference and conversion by a saprophagous tropical pill millipede, Arthrosphaera magna Attems. Pedobiologia, 2005, 49: 307-316.

[9] Ashwini KM, Sridhar KR. Distribution of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and associated soil fauna in the Western Ghats and west coast of India. Pedosphere, 2008, 18: 749-757.

[10] Attems C. Diplopods of India. Memoirs of Indian Museum, 1936, 11: 133-167.

[11] Chowdappa P, Biddappa CC, Sujatha S. Efficient recycling of organic wastes in arecanut (Areca catechu) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantation through vermicomposting. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, 1999, 69: 563-566.

[12] Dangerfield JM. Piearce GD, Gumbo DJ. Soil animals and soil fertility: a critical component of woodland productivity. The Ecology and Management of Indigenous Forest in Southern Africa. 1993, Harare, Zimbabwe: Forestry Commission and SAREC, 209 215

[13] Dangerfield JM. Ingestion of mineral soil/litter mixture and fecal pellet production in the southern African millipede Alloporus uncinatus (Attems). Pedobiologia, 1993, 37: 159-166.

[14] Dangerfield JM, Milner AE. Millipede fecal pellet production in selected natural and managed habitats of southern Africa: implications for litter dynamics. Biotropica, 1996, 28: 113-120.

[15] Dangerfield JM. Abundance, biomass and diversity of soil macrofauna in savanna woodland and associated managed habitats. Pedobiologia, 1990, 34: 141-150.

[16] Edwards CA. Dickenson DH, Pugh GJF. Macroarthropods. Biology of Plant Litter Decomposition. 1974, New York, USA: Academic Press, 533 553

[17] Hanlon RDG. Some factors influencing microbial growth on soil animal faeces, II. Bacterial and fungal growth on soil animal faeces. Pedobiologia, 1981, 21: 264-270.

[18] Jackson ML. Soil Chemical Analysis. 1973, USA: Prentice Hall, 187.

[19] Kadamannaya BS, Sridhar KR, Seena S. Seasonal periodicity of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and earthworms of the Western Ghats. World Journal of Zoology, 2009, 4: 63-69.

[20] Kadamannaya BS, Sridhar KR, Sreepada KS. Assemblage and distribution of pill millipedes and earthworms in relation to soil edaphic features in the Western Ghats and the west coast of India. Frontiers of Agriculture in China, 2010, 4: 243-250.

[21] Kadamannaya BS, Sridhar KR. Leaf litter ingestion and assimilation by two endemic pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) of the Western Ghats, India. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2009, 45: 761-768.

[22] Kubíková J, Rusek J. Development of xerotermic rendzinas-A study in ecology and soil microstructure. Rozpravy ČSAV, Mat Přír, 1976, 86: 1-78.

[23] Lawrence JM, Samways MJ. Litter breakdown by the Seychelles giant millipede and the conservation of soil process on Cousine Island, Seychelles. Biology and Conservation, 2003, 113: 125-132.

[24] Loranger G, Ponge JF, Lavelle P. Humus forms in two secondary semievergreen tropical forests. European Journal of Soil Science, 2003, 54: 17-24.

[25] McBrayer JF. Exploitation of deciduous leaf litter by Apheleria montana (Diplopoda: Eurydesmidae). Pedobiologia, 1973, 13: 90-98.

[26] McGonigle TP. The significance of grazing on fungi in nutrient cycling. Canadian Journal of Botany, 1995 S1370 S1376

[27] Mwabvu T. Decomposition of litter and fecal pellets of the tropical millipede, Alloporus unicinatus (Diplopoda). Journal of African Zoology, 1996, 110: 397-401.

[28] Mwabvu T. Soil in millipede diet: implications on fecal pellet stability and nutrient release. Pedobiologia, 1996, 40: 495-497.

[29] Rosset J, Bärlocher F, Oertli JJ. Decomposition of conifer needles and deciduous leaves in two Black Forest and two Swiss Jura streams. International Review Gesamten Hydrobiology, 1982, 67: 695-711.

[30] Sakwa WN. A consideration of the chemical basis of food preference in millipedes. Symposium of Zoological Society of London, 1974, 32: 329-346.

[31] StatSoft. Statistica. 2008, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: StatSoft Inc

[32] Tajovský K, Šantrůčková H, Háněl L, Balík LA. Decomposition of faecal pellets of the millipede Glomeris hexasticha (Diplopoda) in forest soil. Pedobiologia, 1992, 36: 146-158.

[33] Witkamp M, Crossley DA. The role of arthropods and microflora in the breakdown of white oak litter. Pedobiologia, 1966, 6: 293-303.