Soil biodiversity is important for proper functioning of soil ecosystem. Soil microarthropods play roles in cycling of nutrients and decomposition of organic matter. We compared the diversity of oribatid mites in organically and conventionally managed apple orchards. Sampling were done from 10 orchards; 5 from organic and 5 from conventional, in spring season of 2011 and 2012. Species richness and abundance were higher in conventional (25, 4,222/m2) than organic orchard (21, 1,906/m2). Diversity index was higher in conventional than organic orchard. Common dominant species present in orchards were Perglumna duplicata nipponica and Scheloribates latipes. Only observed in apple orchards were Pilogalumna tenuiclava, Protoribates agricola, Hypochthonius luteus, Punctoribates manzanoensis, Punctoribates sphaericus, and Scheloribates corpusculum. In organic orchard, Suctobelbella naginata and Tectocepheus cuspidentatus were only present. Pergalumna altera, Galumna longiporosa, and Protoribates lophotrichus, Galumna sp. were found only in conventionally managed apple orchard. Further study on the functional aspects and association with other soil biotic and abiotic factors are demanding.

• Jiwon Kim(Department of Bioresource Sciences, Graduate School, Andong National University)
• Eunsun Keum(Department of Bioresource Sciences, Graduate School, Andong National University)
• Chuleui Jung(Department of Bioresource Sciences, Graduate School, Andong National University)