Summary
This study was done to obtain a preliminary evaluation of the effects on the soil mesofauna of conventional agricultural soil preparation (plowing and dinking) and of the application of non-residual contact herbicide in comparison with an agricultural área after cultivation, covered with weeds. The results showed that the predominant mesofauna groups, in all three environments, are Mites. Colembola and Ants and that modifications in the abiotic factors can cause a reduction in the number of individuals, as well as in the types of mesofauna present. The Colembolas were more sensitive to the modifications of the environment being more drastically influenced by plowing than by application of the herbicide.