ABSTRACT
Studies were done to see the effects of five toxic baits based on metaldehyde and/or carbaryl on the taxonomic composition of soil meso and macrofauna, and determined the density of beneficial organisms in soybean under no tillage. Six treatments were tested and soil monoliths were taken before application and at 45 and 75 days after application (DAA). Before application, 1601 individuals were recorded, belonging 1086 to mesofauna and 515 to macrofauna. In soil mesofauna such as Annelida: Enchytraeidae (44%), Nematoda (33%) and Arthropoda (23%) were found. In the macrofauna Arthropoda 93% and Annelida: Oligochaeta, Megadrilli 7% were observed. No differences were observed among the treatments (p>0.05) in the total mesofauna density, at 45 and 75 DAA. The density of enchytraeids, mites, collembolans and symphylids showed no differences at 45 and 75 DAA (p>0.05). The total macrofauna density showed differences (p<0.05) at 45 and 75 DAA. The highest density was obtained with 4 kg ha-1 MataBibos Acay at 45 and 75 DAA. Earthworm and diplopod densities at 45 and 75 DAA showed no differences (p>0.05). The diversity of meso and macrofauna was not affected at 45 and 75 DAA. Bait application did not affect either the abundance or the diversity of soil beneficial invertebrates.