Response of Soil Mesofauna to Long‐Term Application of Feedlot Manure on Irrigated Cropland

Long‐term application of feedlot manure to cropland may influence soil mesofauna. These organisms affect the health, structure, and fertility of soils, organic matter decomposition, and crop growth. The objective was to study the long‐term (16–17 yr) influence of feedlot manure type and bedding on soil mesofauna over 2 yr (2014–2015). Stockpiled or composted feedlot manure with straw (ST) or wood‐chip (WD) bedding (plus unamended control) was annually applied (13 Mg ha⁻¹ dry wt.) to an irrigated clay loam soil with continuous barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Intact cores were taken from surface (0–5 cm) soil in the fall, and the densities of Acari (mites) suborders and Collembola (springtails) families were determined. Manure type had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on soil mesofauna density. In contrast, there was a significant two‐ to sixfold increase in density with WD‐ compared with ST‐amended soils of total Acari in 2014 and 2015, as well as total Collembola, total Acari and Collembola, oribatid mites, and entomobryid springtails in 2014. The bedding effect was attributed to significantly greater soil water content and lower bulk density for WD than ST. Density of soil mesofauna was not significantly greater in amended soils than in unamended soils. A shift by feedlot producers from stockpiled to composted feedlot manure application should have no effect on soil mesofauna density, whereas a shift from ST to WD bedding may increase the density of certain soil mesofauna, which may have a beneficial effect on soil. CORE IDEAS: Manure type had no influence on soil mesofauna. Bedding material had a significant influence on soil mesofauna. Soil mesofauna densities were greater for wood‐ than straw‐amended soils. Bedding effect was due to greater soil water content and lower bulk density. Soil mesofauna density was not greater for amended than unamended soils.