Survival and feeding activity of Protaphorura armata in different composts

Interactions between the collembolan Protaphorura armata and different compost products enriched or not enriched with the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride or Ca-Lignosulphonate, a by-product of pulping process, were investigated by survival tests performed in controlled conditions. The gut content of animals was examined at the end of the experiments and the viability of T. atroviride conidia after the gut transit was also tested. All compost products enriched or not enriched with the mycoparasitic fungus or Ca-Ls did not affect the survival of the collembolans. In addition to adults live juveniles were also observed in all products. In a few cases conidia were observed into the gut of collembola and the majority of these conidia were not damaged during the gut transit. These results suggest compatibility between collembola, T. atroviride and Ca-Lignosulphonate.