Comparison of the Effect of Perennial Energy Crops and Arable Crops on Earthworm Populations

Feledyn-Szewczyk Feledyn-Szewczyk,Matyka Matyka,Stalenga Stalenga,Radzikowski Radzikowski

doi:10.3390/agronomy9110675

Feledyn-Szewczyk Feledyn-Szewczyk, Matyka Matyka + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110675

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare earthworm communities under winter wheat in different crop production systems on arable land—organic (ORG), integrated (INT), conventional (CON), monoculture (MON)—and under perennial crops cultivated for energy purposes—willow (WIL), Virginia mallow (VIR), and miscanthus (MIS). Earthworm abundance, biomass, and species composition were assessed each spring and autumn in the years 2014–2016 using the method of soil blocks. The mean species number of earthworms was ordered in the following way: ORG > VIR > WIL > CON > INT > MIS > MON. Mean abundance of earthworms decreased in the following order: ORG > WIL > CON > VIR > INT > MIS > MON. There were significantly more species under winter wheat cultivated organically than under the integrated system (p = 0.045), miscanthus (p = 0.039), and wheat monoculture (p = 0.002). Earthworm abundance was significantly higher in the organic system compared to wheat monoculture (p = 0.001) and to miscanthus (p = 0.008). Among the tested energy crops, Virginia mallow created the best habitat for species richness and biomass due to the high amount of crop residues suitable for earthworms and was similar to the organic system. Differences in the composition of earthworm species in the soil under the compared agricultural systems were proven. Energy crops, except miscanthus, have been found to increase earthworm diversity, as they are good crops for landscape diversification.

Highlights

Earthworms constitute the largest component of animal biomass in the soil, and they are termed “soil engineers” [1] or even “ecosystem engineers” [2]
Our study showed that mean earthworm species number, density, and biomass in energy crops were intermediate between wheat in organic system and high-input, intensive wheat monoculture and were dependent on the type of energy crop
On plantations of energy crops, the earthworm population indices were located between the organic system and the high-input, intensive wheat monoculture

Summary

Introduction

Earthworms constitute the largest component of animal biomass in the soil, and they are termed “soil engineers” [1] or even “ecosystem engineers” [2]. There are many mineral and organic ingredients in earthworm excrements that are beneficial for the growth and development of plants These fractions are well mixed in worm casts, and the nutrients are present in a readily available form [1,5]. Soil passing through the digestive system of earthworms is enriched with beneficial microorganisms binding free nitrogen and activating phosphorus, which become available to plants. Both excreta and secretions (metabolic water and mucus) of earthworms contain plant growth stimulators (auxin, gibberellin, and cytokine), affecting the quality and quantity of the crop yield [7].

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