Wireworm population in a till and no-till small grain systems in central Montana

TIn agricultural systems, many practices can affect soil organisms. In tillage operation systems for example, tilling can have great impact on the physical and biological properties of soil. Compaction and removal of surface residue resulting from tillage may contribute to a disturbance of microecosystems and a reduction in soil moisture and living space for soil organisms. Decreasing the intensity of soil disturbance, for instance, can result in higher seed predator abundance. A reduction in activity and density of the carabid beetle (Harpalus rufipes (DeGeer)) was observed in a recent study in Maine in no-till versus till fields. Diversity and abundance of arthropod predators can be greater under no-tillage management in comparison to conventional tillage, and natural control of pest insects in soil may be enhanced in conservation tillage systems. No-tillage operation systems have been adopted for 35% of the cropland planted to eight major crops in the U.S. in 2009. Because tillage operation systems affect the soil insect population, this study evaluated the responses of wireworm populations (Coleoptera:Elateridae) in four different production systems: 1) tillage in a continuous cropping field, 2) tillage in a fallow rotation fields 3) no-tillage in a continuous cropping field, and 4) No-tillage in a fallow rotation field. In the fall of 2010 the fields were seeded with winter wheat. In 2011, wireworm populations were measured using baited traps, as well as crop stand density, biomass and yield.