Abstract
Soil invertebrates are crucial for agroecosystem functioning yet sensitive to agricultural practices, including fertilization. Considering the postulates of circular phosphorus economy, the use of fertilizers from secondary raw materials is likely to return and increase and may even become obligatory. The effects of recycled fertilizers on soil fauna communities, however, remain poorly understood. In this paper, the effect of phosphorus fertilizer (RecF) and biofertilizer (RecB) from sewage sludge ash and dried animal (porcine) blood on earthworm’s occurrence in soil is discussed. RecB is RecF activated by phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, Bacillus megaterium. Waste-based fertilizers were assessed in field experiments against commercial superphosphate and no P fertilization. Three levels of P doses were established (17.6, 26.4, and 35.2 kg P ha−1). Earthworms were collected after the test crop harvest (spring or winter wheat). In the experiments two earthworm species, Aporrectodea caliginosa and Aporrectodea rosea, were identified. A large proportion of juvenile individuals were recorded in 2017. The recycled fertilizers used in the experiments used in recommended doses, similarly to superphosphate, did not alter the density, biomass, species composition, and structure of earthworms. Further long-term field research is recommended.
Highlights
Earthworms (Lumbricidae) are listed among the most important soil-dwelling invertebrates [1].They constitute a major component of soil fauna communities in most ecosystems [2]
recycled fertilizer (RecF) and RecB were produced at the Institute of New Chemical Syntheses in Puławy (Poland), according to a concept developed at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław, Poland)
RecF and RecB were assessed against SP and no phosphorus (No P)
Summary
Earthworms (Lumbricidae) are listed among the most important soil-dwelling invertebrates [1]. Despite potential soil pollution [9], increased use of inorganic fertilizers to enhance crop yields is a common practice in modern agriculture Both beneficial and harmful effects of inorganic fertilizers on earthworm populations have been observed [10]. The use of recycled fertilizers is expected to provide satisfactory yields in terms of quantity [21,22] and quality, and not to cause negative changes in the soil environment Concerning the latter, it should be taken into account that the introduction of nutrient carrier and PSM to the soil could alter soil properties both directly (nutrient content and availability, pH, possible presence of toxic elements) and indirectly (e.g., through microbial activity modification or plant growth stimulation) [23]. It was hypothesized that the impact of the recycled fertilizers on soil earthworms would be similar or more favorable/less harmful than that of the traditional P fertilizer
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