Edaphic Beetle Fauna in Eucalyptus Under Different Systems of Chemical Control of Weed Competition

Eucalyptus grandis stands out as one of the most cultivated species in Brazil because of its productivity and wood quality. The objective of this study was to assess the edaphic coleopteran fauna in an initial planting of E. grandis under different systems of weed control in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul state, using pitfall traps. The treatments were based on the chemical control of weeds: total, in and between planting rows (CT); total, in the planting row (CL); monocotyledons, in and inter-rows (CM); dicotyledons, in and inter-rows (CD); control of one meter next to the planting row, leaving one meter between rows without control (CF); and without control (SC) . From March 2011 to August 2012, 1190 beetles of seven families were collected. There were differences between the edaphic coleopteran fauna captured in the evaluated treatments. The application of a smaller amount of herbicide maintains plant diversity, allowing greater diversity of beetle fauna in the area.