HERBICIDE USE IN DEGRADED FOREST AREAS IN RESTORATION: EFECTS ON SOIL INVERTEBRATE BIOTA

Chemical control of weeds is an effective method used in planted forests and in forest restoration, which plays an important role in development of forest seedlings and reduces costs of intervention. However, when this strategy is not properly applied, it may have negative impacts on soil organisms and on the ecological processes in which they take part. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of herbicide use on soil biota through sampling of the soil fauna community and through ecotoxicological tests on the survival and reproduction of Folsomia candida and Enchytraeus crypticus in a target area of a recently-established forest restoration. A randomized block experimental design was adopted, with four treatments and five replications. Treatments consisted of applications of three post-emergence herbicides at different rates (mesotrione, 0.4 L ha(-1); fluazifop-P-butyl, 1.0 L ha(1); and nicosulfuron, 1.5 L ha(-1)). They were applied in the total area of the plots beyond an untreated check (without application). Two herbicide applications were carried out on the field under study at intervals of six months, and the plots corresponded to the treatments in both applications. A total of four soil samples were collected from each plot: sample 1, six days before the second herbicide application in the area; sample 2, one day after the application; sample 3, eight days after the application; and sample 4, 22 days after the application. The soil fauna community was evaluated through a modified Berlese funnel method using one soil sample per plot. Organisms were counted and identified in large groups in the laboratory. Ecotoxicological tests focusing on survival and reproduction of F. candida and E. crypticus were performed on one composite soil sample per treatment. One day after mesotrione application (sample 2), a strong decline was observed in average richness of organisms, Shannon's diversity index, and the Pielou uniformity index, as well as reproduction of E. crypticus. The double application of the herbicides fluazifop-P-butyl and nicosulfuron does not cause negative impacts on soil invertebrates, whereas the application of mesotrione has negative effects, even if temporarily. Great care must be taken in applying it in forest restoration.