ABUNDANCE OF SPRINGTAILS (COLLEMBOLA) UNDER 4 AGROFORESTRY TREE SPECIES WITH CONTRASTING LITTER QUALITY

The soil-and litter-dwelling Collembola under four agroforestry tree s pecies (Treculia africana, Dactyladenia Acioa) barteri, Gliricidia sep ium and Leucaena leucocephala) were monitored monthly for a period of 12 months and results were compared with those of a secondary forest a nd a grass plot. Treculia and Dactyladenia produced lower quality litt er, leading to lower soil temperature and higher soil moisture under t hose species, relative to Gliricidia and Leucaena. The agroforestry tr ee plots contained more soil-and litter-dwelling Collembola than the s econdary forest and grass plots. The slowly decomposing litter under T reculia and Dactyladenia supported more litter Collembola than the qui ckly decomposing litter under Gliricidia and Leucaena. Soil moisture a nd temperature were, respectively, positively and negatively correlate d with populations of soil Collembola. Based on the results of this st udy, it is suggested that the use of prunings of agroforestry tree spe cies as mulch in agroecosystems would encourage the growth of Collembo la populations and enhance their role in decomposition processes.