Abstract
Earthworms are regarded as the bio-indicators of soil quality. Also, due to several beneficial ecosystem services provided by earthworms, focus has been given to earthworms in agriculture management. So, there is need of knowing the distribution of earthworms, factors affecting their distribution and modification of soil environment due to them. With the aim of characterizing earthworm distribution in Panchase area, earthworms were sampled in different aspects, land use types, depth and altitude in June and October. Soil sample was also taken to characterize the habitat preference of the earthworms. The highest earthworm population density was found in forest followed by agriculture land and grassland in both months. Also, majority of earthworms were found in top 15 cm of soil. Moisture and organic matter content were found to be major determinants of earthworm population in Panchase area. Positive and significant correlation between earthworm population and available mineral nutrients (P and K) suggests that earthworms help in mineral nutrient availability to the plants. Key words: Ash free dry mass, biomass, earthworm population density, Panchase area.
Highlights
Among numerous organisms found in the soil, earthworms are the most important components of soil biota in terms of soil formation and maintenance of soil structure and fertility (Curry, 2004)
There was no significant difference between the biomass obtained from equation and loss on ignition (LOI) method (t = 1.625, d. f. = 7, P > 0.05).allometric length-biomass equation given by Hale et al (2004) can be used to determine the Ash Free Dry Mass (AFDM) of the earthworm specimens collected
Earthworm population in different seasons and land use types. Both the total average Earthworm population density (EPD) and AFDM was found to be higher in June than in October (Figure 2)
Summary
Among numerous organisms found in the soil, earthworms are the most important components of soil biota in terms of soil formation and maintenance of soil structure and fertility (Curry, 2004). Earthworms play a major role in soil nutrient dynamics by altering the soil physical, chemical and biological properties which is generally in synchrony with plant demand (Lavelle et al, 1989). Focus has been given to integrate earthworms into agriculture management in order to increase the crop yield (Lavelle et al, 1989; Senapati et al, 2002). To investigate the potential of the earthworms to integrate into agriculture management, knowledge on different physical, chemical and management factors that affect the distribution and abundance of earthworm population is important that will help to identify the ecological appropriateness of the earthworms in order to supplement their existing population and quantify the impact of earthworms on agricultural land (Mele and Carter, 1999). From agricultural perspective, earthworms are important from ecological point of view because they contain highest soil macro-faunal biomass (Edwards and Bohlen, 1996) and increasingly regarded as bioindicators of soil quality (Pérès et al, 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
