Effects of some physical factors and agricultural practices on Collembola in a multiple cropping programme in West Bengal (India)

Collembolan populations were followed monthly for 3 years in a long-term cultivated and fertilized agricultural field, in East India (West Bengal), where three crops (jute, paddy rice and wheat) were cultivated and subjected to various doses of NPK fertilizers, herbicides and organic manure. Each crop showed a rise followed by a decrease in Collembolan populations. When crossed with crop effects Collembolan populations showed a negative correlation with soil temperature and a positive correlation with soil moisture. Application of organic manure induced an increase in the population but the effects of fertilizers and other treatments applied to the field were not as significant as seasonal and crop influences.