Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum

This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (<i>Onthophagus vacca</i>, <i>Onthophagus marginalis</i> subsp. <i>andalusicus</i>, <i>Euonthophagus crocatus</i>, and <i>Gymnopleurus sturmi</i>) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, changes in soil properties were assessed, focusing on the organic matter content, pH, conductivity, enzyme activities (e.g., urease, phosphatase), and microbial load. The results revealed significant increases in all the measured parameters across the treatments involving dung beetles, emphasising their role in enhancing soil fertility and plant productivity. The study also highlights the variation in effectiveness among the species, suggesting that beetle diversity plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling. Integrating dung beetles into sustainable farming practices could, therefore, serve as a key strategy to promote resilient agriculture.