Influence of cropping intensity on the production and properties of earthworm casts in a leucaena alley cropping system

Abstract

The effect of cropping intensity on surface cast production by earthworms was studied more than 4 years in an alley cropping system. The plots were cultivated to maize–cassava intercrop every year (100% cropping intensity), after 2 years of fallow (33% cropping intensity) and after 3 years of fallow (25% cropping intensity). Cast production was assessed by the continuous sampling technique proposed by Hauser and Asawalam (Z Pflanzenernahr Bodenkd 161:23–30, 1998). Results showed that cropping intensity enhanced cast production in the first year, did not affect it in the second and third years and decreased cast production in the fourth year. Amount of casts deposited within the alleys was highest under the hedgerow and decreased towards the middle of the alley. The concentrations of organic matter and plant nutrients were significantly higher in worm casts than in soil, irrespective of the cropping intensity and position of sample collection within the interrow space. Continuous cropping up to 6 years significantly reduced the concentrations of organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable calcium, potassium and magnesium in the top 0–5 cm of the soil, irrespective of the distance from the hedgerow. Regardless of the intensity of cropping, there is a strong linear association between the quantity of casts and the amount of organic carbon, and other nutrients in casts.