Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum
This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (<i>Onthophagus vacca</i>, <i>Onthophagus marginalis</i> subsp. <i>andalusicus</i>, <i>Euo...
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2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/1002 |
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| author | Hasnae Hajji Mariyem Rehali Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi Jean-Pierre Lumaret Youness Mabrouki |
| author_facet | Hasnae Hajji Mariyem Rehali Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi Jean-Pierre Lumaret Youness Mabrouki |
| author_sort | Hasnae Hajji |
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| description | This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (<i>Onthophagus vacca</i>, <i>Onthophagus marginalis</i> subsp. <i>andalusicus</i>, <i>Euonthophagus crocatus</i>, and <i>Gymnopleurus sturmi</i>) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, changes in soil properties were assessed, focusing on the organic matter content, pH, conductivity, enzyme activities (e.g., urease, phosphatase), and microbial load. The results revealed significant increases in all the measured parameters across the treatments involving dung beetles, emphasising their role in enhancing soil fertility and plant productivity. The study also highlights the variation in effectiveness among the species, suggesting that beetle diversity plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling. Integrating dung beetles into sustainable farming practices could, therefore, serve as a key strategy to promote resilient agriculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9067a992af3a45b4869184c108b1aaf7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-9067a992af3a45b4869184c108b1aaf72024-12-27T14:31:27ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-12-011512100210.3390/insects15121002Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and SorghumHasnae Hajji0Mariyem Rehali1Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi2Jean-Pierre Lumaret3Youness Mabrouki4Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, Conservation et Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles, Faculté des Sciences de Dhar El Mehraz, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 1796 Fès-Atlas, Fez 30000, MoroccoLaboratoire Biotechnologie Microbienne et Molécules Bioactives, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de Fès, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 1796 Fès-Atlas, Fez 30000, MoroccoFaculté Pluridisciplinaire de Nador, Équipe de Recherche en Biologie et Biotechnologie Appliquées, Université Mohammed Premier, Selouane, Nador 62700, MoroccoLaboratoire de Zoogéographie, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Route de Mende, 34199 Montpellier, Cedex 5, FranceLaboratoire de Biotechnologie, Conservation et Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles, Faculté des Sciences de Dhar El Mehraz, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, B.P. 1796 Fès-Atlas, Fez 30000, MoroccoThis study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (<i>Onthophagus vacca</i>, <i>Onthophagus marginalis</i> subsp. <i>andalusicus</i>, <i>Euonthophagus crocatus</i>, and <i>Gymnopleurus sturmi</i>) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, changes in soil properties were assessed, focusing on the organic matter content, pH, conductivity, enzyme activities (e.g., urease, phosphatase), and microbial load. The results revealed significant increases in all the measured parameters across the treatments involving dung beetles, emphasising their role in enhancing soil fertility and plant productivity. The study also highlights the variation in effectiveness among the species, suggesting that beetle diversity plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling. Integrating dung beetles into sustainable farming practices could, therefore, serve as a key strategy to promote resilient agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/1002dung beetlesScarabaeidaesorghum growthsoil propertiesregenerative agriculturesoil fertility |
| spellingShingle | Hasnae Hajji Mariyem Rehali Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi Jean-Pierre Lumaret Youness Mabrouki Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum Insects dung beetles Scarabaeidae sorghum growth soil properties regenerative agriculture soil fertility |
| title | Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum |
| title_full | Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum |
| title_fullStr | Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum |
| title_short | Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum |
| title_sort | dung beetles dung burial and plant growth four scarabaeoid species and sorghum |
| topic | dung beetles Scarabaeidae sorghum growth soil properties regenerative agriculture soil fertility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/1002 |
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