Designing modules for diversity and relative abundance of soil macro-fauna among Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) field

The present study was conducted for "Designing modules for diversity and relative abundance of soil macro-fauna among cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) fields" viz. boundary, centre and middle of these both sites under the ecological conditions of district Faisalabad (Punjab), Pakistan. After completing the whole research trials as per lay down in the chapter of methodology, taxonomic composition was recorded as follow: from boundary of cauliflower fields, total 24 species were recorded belonging to 07 orders, 16 families and 21 genera; from centre, total 24 species were counted regarding 10 orders, 15 families and 22 genera; whereas from middle, total 20 species were recorded, belonging to 08 orders, 12 families and 18 genera. From all three sites, total 1060 specimens were collected during entire sampling (7 sampling from each site) and maximum population was recorded from centre of the field 37.45% (N = 397) and least population was recorded from middle cite i.e. 30.47 (N = 323). While, from boundary, the collected data fall between both maximum and minimum values i.e. 32.08% (N=340).Wherein, from boundary, maximum population was recorded during 6th sampling (129 plus minus 56.87), followed by 77 plus minus 20.10 (4th sampling), 71 plus minus 15.86 (5th sampling) and so on, while, least values were recorded during 3rd sampling (10 plus minus 27.27) and 2nd sampling (3 plus minus 32.22). Whereas, species abundance was # its peak during 6th sampling i.e. 08 species and 1st sampling i.e. 06 species at temperature and humidity of 11 degree C (temperature) and 84% (humidity) and 28 degree C and 52%, respectively. However, least species abundance was recorded during 2nd sampling i.e. 03 species at 21 degree C (temperature) and 88% (humidity). Maximum population was recorded during 7th sampling (104 plus minus 33.44), followed by 90 plus minus 23.54 (4th sampling), 64 plus minus 5.15 (5th sampling) and so on. While, least value was recorded during 3rd sampling (18 plus minus 27.37); whereas species abundance was recorded utmost in 6th and 7th sampling (10 and 07 species, respectively) at temperature and humidity of 11 degree C, 84% and 24 degree C, 50%, respectively. However, least species abundance was recorded during 3rd sampling i.e. 02 species at 26 degree C temperature and 90% humidity. Whereas, from middle of these both sites, maximum population was recorded during 7th sampling (59 plus minus 9.09), followed by 58 plus minus 8.39 (3rd sampling), 53 plus minus 4.85 (5th sampling) and so on. While, least value was recorded during 6th sampling (26 plus minus 14.24); whereas, highest species abundance was recorded in 6th sampling (7 species) at temperature and humidity of 11 degree C and 84%, respectively. However, least and equal species abundance was recorded during 2nd, 4th and 7th sampling i.e. 03 species at 21 degree C temperature, 88% humidity, 21 degree C and 81% and 24 degree C and 50%, respectively. Wherein, from boundary of cauliflower field, maximum relative abundance was recorded for genus Succinea (Family: Succineidea) 66.18% (N = 225).Whereas, from centre, highest relative abundance 27.79% (N = 194) was recorded for for genus Succinea 65.99% (N = 262) and from the middle of cauliflower field, once again highest relative abundance was observed for genus Succinea 77.40% (N = 250). However, from boundary site, total 16 families were recorded from total 26 families and from them, extra ordinary relative abundance 66.18% (N = 225) was observed in family Succineidae; from centre, 15 families were recorded from total 26 identified families, and once again family Succineidae 65.99% (N = 262) dominated all other families with relative abundance of 65.99% (N = 262) and from middle, 12 families were recorded from total 26 identified families, and highest relative abundance 77.40% (N = 250) was recorded for family Succineidae. While, total of eleven orders were recorded from all three sites of cauliflower field, from them, 07 were recorded from boundary; maximum relative abundance was recorded for order Pulmonata (Phylum: Mollusca) 77.35% (N = 263) and from centre, 10 orders were recorded among which, order Pulmonata (Phylum: Mollusca) was recorded with highest relative abundance 71.03% (N = 282) and from middle, total 08 orders were recorded and. from them order Pulmonata (Phylum: Mollusca) showed highest relative abundance 82.35 % (N = 266). In case of diversity, from boundary, it was recorded maximum (0.4526) and least was recorded from centre (0.2857). Diversity from middle area of cauliflower field resides between highest and lowest values (0.3499). Diversity (maximum) was also recorded higher from boundary (2.5563) and least was recorded again from middle (2.5092). Evenness ratio was recorded maximum from boundary (0.1770), then (0.1395) from middle and least is recorded from centre (0.1128). Dominance was recorded maximum from centre (0.8872), then from middle (0.8605) and least from boundary (0.8230). However, richness was a recorded high from centre (8.4932), then boundary (8.2955) and considerable drop was recorded from middle site (7.6462). The results of ANOVA between depending variables (boundary, middle, centre) and independent variable (soil macro-fauna) were non-significant (F = 0.02; P = 0.9788). However, according to Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, soil macro-fauna did not differ significantly between three sites: "Boundary vs centre (P-value = 0.2077), "Centre vs Middle" (P-value = 0.3071) and "Boundary vs Middle" (P-value = 0.6323) but habitat preference vary taxa to taxa.