Earthworm Populations Research Articles

Earthworm differences among mound positions in native prairies in the Ozark Highlands

Mounded, tallgrass prairie ecosystems are a unique, endangered ecosystem due to severe disturbance for agricultural production and/or urban expansion. Limited research exists on earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) dynamics in mounded, tallgrass prairies, particularly in the Ozark Highlands region of northwestern Arkansas. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of soil moisture regime (SMR), landscape position (LP), and sample date on earthworm densities in the top 20 cm of soil in two mounded, native prairies in the Ozark Highlands region of northwestern Arkansas. Juvenile and total earthworm densities were five times greater (P < .05) in the udic- and aquic-inter-mound combinations than any other SMR-LP combination in October 2018 and May 2019, respectively. Adult earthworm densities were two times greater (P < .05) in the aquic-inter-mound at Searles Prairie than any other SMR-LP combination in either mounded prairie. Juvenile earthworm densities were three times greater (P < .05) in May 2019 than in May 2018 at Chesney Prairie, but adult and total earthworm density did not change over the same period of time. Combined across all data, juvenile and total earthworm densities were positively correlated (P < .05) with moisture (r = .33 and .34, respectively), Ca (r = .20 and .21, respectively), and Fe (r = .53 and .52, respectively), but negatively correlated (P < .05) with Mn (r = –.34 and –.32, respectively). Results of this study extended overall understanding of earthworm population distributions and dynamics in mounded prairie systems.

Earthworms and Their Importance to Agricultural Soils in the Inland Pacific Northwest

Earthworms are important to the proper function of soils and in the cycling of organic matter to release nutrients for plant growth. An understanding of earthworm population size, number of years that active populations have existed, and types of earthworm species present in a field can help agricultural producers and their CCAs estimate the type and extent of potential impacts to the soil environment. Earn 1 CEU in Soil &amp; Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/806.

Looking for Earthworms in Deadwood

Fallen branches, logs, and tree stumps are a valuable habitat in forests, giving food and shelter to many organisms, including earthworms. Unfortunately, deadwood is often removed from forests because its value is not fully appreciated. We wanted to overcome this by developing a sampling method for earthworms living in deadwood in forests. By testing our new sampling method in oak forests, we found that including deadwood in earthworm surveys improves our knowledge of forest earthworm populations. We also found a greater number of young earthworms in deadwood, where conditions were warmer and moister than in the soil. By surveying deadwood for invertebrates, such as earthworms, we can better understand the important role that deadwood in forests plays in maintaining biodiversity.

Manipulating plant community composition to steer efficient N‐cycling in intensively managed grasslands

Abstract Minimizing nitrogen (N) losses and increasing plant N uptake in agroecosystems is a major global challenge. Ecological concepts from (semi)natural grasslands suggest that manipulating plant community composition using plant species with different traits may represent a promising opportunity to face this challenge. Here, we translate these trait‐based concepts to agricultural systems in a field experiment, aiming to reveal the main determinants of how plant community composition regulates N‐cycling in intensively managed grasslands. We focused on key N pools (plant N from soil and from biological N‐fixation, soil mineral N and N2O emissions) as well as on biological drivers of N‐cycling in soil (abundance of N‐cycling microbial communities, earthworm populations and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), using three common grass and one legume species in monoculture, two‐ and four‐species mixtures. We hypothesized that: (a) plant species mixtures increase plant N uptake, reduce soil mineral N concentrations and N2O emissions and promote the abundance of biological N‐cyclers; (b) legume presence stimulates N pools, fluxes and biological N‐cycling activity, (c) but in combination with a grass with acquisitive traits, more N is retained in the plant community, while N2O emissions are reduced. We found that mixtures increased plant N and lowered the soil mineral N pool compared to monocultures. However, plant species identity played an overarching role: Legume presence increased N2O emissions, plant N pools, soil mineral N and the abundance of N‐cycling microbes and earthworms. Combining the legume with a grass with low leaf dry matter content and high root length density (and with high root biomass) reduced the higher soil mineral N and N2O emissions induced by the legume, while harnessing positive effects on plant N pools and biological N‐fixation. Synthesis and applications. Our results show the potential of plant community composition to steer N‐cycling in fertilized agroecosystems, paving the way for a more biologically based agriculture. Legumes will play a crucial role, but selecting an optimum companion species is key for the sustainability of the agroecosystem.

Assessment of earthworm diversity and pesticide toxicity in Eudrilus Eugeniae

Pesticides have become an inseparable part of modern agricultural production and technology. Malathion pesticide more than 139,000 MT production capacity annually, with more than 219 technical grade and manufacturing units, and over 4000 formulation units in India. The earthworm survey was carried out in all the five sites at regular monthly intervals. In this present work, a total of six earthworms from five different species were collected from different vegetation such as garden, pond, paddy, edible tubers, and sugarcane field. The organophosphate pesticide malathion is selected as a target compound for toxicity study. The earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae was used as a model organism. Contact toxicity was studied by filter paper method and to observe the mortality rate of different concentrations of pesticide for 24 and 48 h. The soil toxicity study was done by using artificial soil for 14 days. Surviving worms also had reduced body weight, and in some cases, morphological changes. Enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, and protease were evaluated in the vermicast of pesticide-treated earthworm. This study refers to the earthworm population between pesticide-contaminated and unpolluted soil. This work will provide information to estimate the toxic level of Malathion against the earthworm.

Effects of Vermireactor Modifications on the Welfare of Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Properties of Vermicomposts

Vermicomposting is a method that allows for the environmentally friendly management of plant organic waste through the activity of concentrated earthworm populations. As a result of an appropriately conducted process, it is possible to obtain a valuable organic fertilizer, abundant in nutrients for plants as well as the development of a favorable (qualitatively and quantitatively) earthworm population structure. This paper presents the results of the vermicomposting process of waste plant mass with the use of vermireactors with different designs. In conventional no protective substrate (NPS) vermireactors, plant waste was the only habitat for earthworms, whilst protective substrate (PS) vermireactors also had a medium to shield the earthworm population in the event of the accidental introduction of toxic waste to these invertebrates. A positive effect of the PS vermireactor construction in the protection of an earthworm population against the potential use of stressful waste was found, as populations of Eisenia fetida were monitored and the development was noted during the vermicomposting with both methods. The largest differences between the populations (PS vs. NPS vermireactors) were demonstrated after 40 and 50 days and related to the number of immature animals (PS &gt; NPS by 30.7%; p &lt; 0.05) and cocoons (PS &gt; NPS by 34.8%; p &lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences between the PS and NPS in the biomass of immature E. fetida and cocoons. The vermicomposts obtained were not significantly different form each other but they were characterized by a higher content of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg compared to the initial waste biomass. Contents of Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb in vermicomposts did not prevent their use as fertilizers.

Interspecies variation in survival of soil fauna in flooded soil

While many studies have examined the effects of flooding on earthworm population distributions, few studies have investigated physiological and behavioural responses of earthworms to the low oxygen conditions caused by flooding. An earthworm's skin is its oxygen exchange organ, allowing earthworms to survive in flooded environments provided that the water contains sufficient dissolved oxygen. Individuals of three species of earthworm, the anecic Lumbricus terrestris (Linneaus, 1758), the green morph of the endogeic Allolobophora chlorotica (Savigny, 1826) and the epigeic Lumbricus castaneus (Savigny, 1826) were placed in reconstituted groundwater that was either kept aerated or kept in a sealed container so that dissolved oxygen was gradually consumed as the earthworm respired. Oxygen saturation of the water was measured over time in sacrificial triplicate replicates from each treatment at discrete time points; earthworm mortality and mass were recorded. Before treatments, oxygen levels in all treatment tubes were 9.53 (±0.64) mg O2 L−1. L. terrestris, a large species which emerges at night to forage at the soil surface died when oxygen levels reached 0.82 (±0.46) mg O2 L−1 after approximately 36 h. L. castaneus, a smaller species which lives on the soil surface, died when oxygen levels reached 3.60 (±2.01) mg O2 L−1 after approximately 168 h. A. chlorotica, which is similar in size to L. castaneus, lives in the upper 20 cm of soil and is known to aestivate during the summer, did not die, even when oxygen levels reached 1.49 (±0.40) mg O2 L−1 after 280 h. The results suggest that earthworm respiration is closely linked to both body size and to behavioural ecotype. These findings suggest that if flooding increases in frequency resulting in episodic reductions in soil oxygen levels, the species composition of earthworm communities may change, with an increased presence of endogeic earthworms which show a responsive plasticity to flooding events.

The effect of field application of food‐based anaerobic digestate on earthworm populations

AbstractIn general, farming systems that provide the greatest organic matter returns to the soil support the highest earthworm populations and typically the application of organic materials will increase earthworm numbers because of an abundance of food. There has been limited work on the effects of digestate applications on earthworm populations with most focus on the short‐term effects of digestate from manure or crop‐based feedstocks, not from food wastes. To address this gap in current knowledge, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of repeated food‐based digestate applications on earthworm populations/biomass in both the short term (c. 6 months after digestate application) and longer term (2 years later) in comparison with other commonly used inputs (manufactured nitrogen‐N fertilizer, compost and livestock manures). This multi‐site field experiment has shown that the application of food‐based digestate at application rates above current good practice can have a short‐term, negative impact on earthworm numbers under certain conditions. Six months after the final digestate addition, earthworm numbers were 32%–60% lower than following the additions of other organic materials at four of the seven sites investigated. A combination of high ammonium/low organic matter loadings and soil compaction most likely explained the observed effects.

Characterization of Earthworms (Lumbriscus terestris) Population Under Several Area of Shallots Cultivation

Firmansyah MA, Bhermana A. 2020. Characterization of earthworms (Lumbriscus terestris) population under several area of shallots cultivation. Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal : Journal of Suboptimal Lands 9(2): 208-217.In General, the problem of shallot commodities development was still used common farming without considering land suitability and other specific soil condition including aspect cultivation. The objective of this study was to clasify several lands characteristics for shallots cultivation and to observe earthworm (Lumbriscus terrestris) population based on their land suitability classes. The methodology used was land evaluation approach and field observation. This study was performed during  rainy season in 2018 at three locations with different soils, namely, peat soils/Histosol (IST), buried soil of Quartzipsamment above peat soils (ENT), and dry land of Dystropept (EPT). The population of earthworms is obtained by digging up an area of 1 m2 with depth of 20 cm at in four places of location of study. The calculation of earthworms is conducted by hand sorting. The results showed that the highest land suitability class at EPT S3tr, rt, nr, while for other locations are not suitable. The location of IST is classified into N3fb with several limiting such as flooding hazard during rainy season, while for ENT location, classified into Nrt, limiting factor is rough texture. High suitability class is not identical with high earthworm population density. Cultivation aspect that is able to increase soil pH become neutral condition and lower pesticide application affect earthworm populations. ENT locations that have neutral soil pH with lower pesticides applcation have the highest earthworm populations. Earthworm population density from high to low involve ENT&gt; IST&gt; EPT or 74&gt; 33&gt; 31 tails/m2.

Trading tree growth for soil degradation: Effects at 10 years of black plastic mulch on fine roots, earthworms, organic matter and nitrate in a multi-species riparian buffer

This study assessed the effects of two vegetation management treatments (black polyethylene mulch and a control treatment) on tree growth, fine root biomass of trees and of competing vegetation, earthworms, and physiochemical soil properties in a 10 year-old agricultural riparian buffer planted in southern Québec (Canada) with five trees species: Populus × canadensis Moench (hybrid poplar), Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (red or green ash), Quercus macrocarpa Michx. (bur oak), Quercus rubra L. (red oak), and Pinus strobus L. (eastern white pine). Vegetation management treatments had a significant effect on tree growth, fine root biomass, earthworms and on many soil properties. Overall, the use of plastic mulch increased tree growth in all species (not to the same extent), but locally decreased soil organic matter, total soil carbon, total soil nitrogen, earthworm biomass and abundance, competing vegetation fine root biomass and the biomass of the total pool of fine roots. Also, more than three times more soil nitrate was measured under mulch despite the higher tree growth. Lower soil phosphorus availability (in some species), base cation saturation and moisture content under the mulch suggested higher uptake of these soil resources to sustain high tree growth. Across treatments and species, significant and strong correlations were observed between total fine root biomass and soil carbon, between competing vegetation fine root biomass and earthworm biomass, and between total soil carbon and earthworm biomass. These highlight the central role of the total pool of fine roots in maintaining or enhancing soil carbon, the importance of understory herbaceous vegetation for earthworm populations and the importance of organic matter as a factor limiting earthworm activity. Species × Treatment interactions were observed on tree growth, fine roots, and earthworms. Pine growth was little enhanced by the mulch and its fine root biomass peaked in the control treatment, suggesting plasticity in allocation to fine roots in response to resource limitations. Pine had similar earthworm biomass across both vegetation management treatments, with two to three times less earthworm biomass than other tree species observed in control plots, reflecting its low needle litter quality. Only poplar and ash had higher tree fine root biomass under the mulch. Red oak was the species the most negatively affected by herbaceous competition. In practice, plastic mulch is rarely removed from tree plantation sites. This should change in a context where plastic mulch is increasingly used as an alternative to herbicide, and where riparian agroforestry projects need to meet both timber and non-timber objectives (carbon sequestration in the soil and in tree biomass, N and P storage in woody biomass, soil quality restoration), while minimizing their impacts in terms of nitrate leaching. Identifying alternative mulching materials and strategies that would provide high growth benefits without degrading the soil or water quality is a priority to optimize ecosystem services provision in tree plantations and riparian buffers.

Vermiproductivity, maturation and microbiological changes derived from the use of liquid anaerobic digestate during the vermicomposting of market waste.

Recently, it has been suggested that the liquid fraction of anaerobic digestate, derived from the treatment of wastewater and solid wastes, could be used in vermicomposting as a solution to its disposal, and even for its valorization. Nevertheless, the literature does not provide enough information about its impact on the process of vermicomposting itself and on the final quality of the end-product. In this study, the effect of different doses of digestate in the vermicomposting process treating market waste is assessed measuring earthworm population dynamics, the bacterial community succession present in the vermibeds, as well as maturation and the end-quality of the vermicompost. Our results show that the addition of liquid digestate to the vermibeds increased the earthworms biomass, i.e. 71%, 94% and 168% in control, and vermibeds with 30% and 60% digestate, respectively. Further, the increase in the amount of N in the vermicompost decreased as the digestate addition increased, i.e. 75%, 8%, 3%. The maturity achieved was high in all treatments as shown by the C/N ratio, 7.98, 7.40 and 10.20, and the high seed germination rate, above 90%. Finally, the succession of the microbial community was not disturbed and compositional stabilization was reached after 92 days.

Dual stresses of flooding and agricultural land use reduce earthworm populations more than the individual stressors

Global climate change is leading to a significant increase in flooding events in many countries. Current practices to prevent damage to downstream urban areas include allowing the flooding of upstream agricultural land. Earthworms are ecosystem engineers, but their abundances in arable land are already reduced due to pressure from farming practices. If flooding increases on agricultural land, it is important to understand how earthworms will respond to the dual stresses of flooding and agricultural land use. The earthworm populations under three land uses (pasture, field margin, and crops), across two UK fields, were sampled seasonally over an 18-month period in areas of the fields which flood frequently and areas which flood only rarely. Earthworm abundance in the crop and pasture soils and total earthworm biomass in the crop soils was significantly lower in the frequently flooded areas than in the rarely flooded areas. The relative percentage difference in the populations between the rarely and frequently flooded areas was greater in the crop soils (−59.18% abundance, −63.49% biomass) than the pasture soils (−13.39% abundance, −9.66% biomass). In the margin soils, earthworm abundance was significantly greater in the frequently flooded areas (+140.56%), likely due to higher soil organic matter content and lower bulk density resulting in soil conditions more amenable to earthworms. The findings of this study show that earthworm populations already stressed by the activities associated with arable land use are more susceptible to flooding than populations in pasture fields, suggesting that arable earthworm populations are likely to be increasingly at risk with increased flooding.

Earthworm Diversity and Biomass in Different Fallow System in The Kelimutu National Park Areas

Earthworms have a role as bioindicators so that their existence is very sensitive to changes in the environment. The decreasing of land quality caused by continuous use (horticultural agriculture) will also decrease the diversity of earthworms. To anticipate degradation of land quality, the land needs to be rested (bero) so that it will facilitate natural recovery. Indicators of land restoration include the diversity and importance index of earthworms. Therefore, the research aim was to determine the diversity of earthworm in the fallow system lands at Kelimutu National Park areas. The monolith random sampling method at three soil depths was applied to several fields with different fallow periods (5, 10, 15 and 20 years) to measure importance value index, diversity index, evenness, density, and earthworm biomass. The results showed that there were 4 types of earthworms found in the land given, namely Pontoscolex, Megascolex, Lumbricus and Perithima. Pontoscolex dominates which is indicated by the highest importance value index. While the diversity of earthworms was higher in fallow land with a duration period of 5 and 20 years. The duration of the fallow period is also shown to affect populations of earthworms but has no effect on its biomass. For soil depths not seen no effect at each depth. The results of this study further strengthen the evidence that the application of the bero period can improve land quality by increasing the earthworm population so that land productivity can be maintained.

IMPACTOS EN CORTO TIEMPO DE LA AGRICULTURA DE CONSERVACIÓN Y TRADICIONAL SOBRE LOS RECURSOS NATURALES Y EL RENDIMIENTO DE MAÍZ

Crops production on the Peru’s highland is carried out under the traditional agriculture’s practices of, degrading natural resources. Contrary, conservation agriculture’s practices are less tedious and conservationist to natural resources. A field experiment with corn crop was set up to compare the two agricultural systems, evaluating bulk density, volumetric humidity, earthworm population, soil erosion, corn ear yield, and economic utility. An LSD test was designed to assess bulk density, volumetric humidity, earthworm population, and corn yield, with 20 replications each one. Additionally, a completely randomized design was established to assess erosion, with three replications of 50 erosion pins. In conservation agriculture’ssoil erosion was significantly reduced; volumetric humidity, earthworm population, and yield were significantly higher in conservation agriculture. The results showed that conservation agriculture’s practices are more profitable and friendly to natural resources than traditional agriculture’s practices. Keywords: bulk density, corn yield, erosion, earthworm population, volumetric humidity

Contrasting effects of cover crops on earthworms: Results from field monitoring and laboratory experiments on growth, reproduction and food choice

Cover crops are an essential element of sustainable agriculture and can affect earthworm populations. In a field trial, we investigated the effects of four cover crop treatments: radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus B.; at high and low seed density), black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanese M.) on earthworms under two irrigation regimes. The two parallel field trials (irrigated and rainfed) demonstrated the significance of soil moisture for earthworm abundance with lower numbers under rainfed black oat and Sudan grass compared with moister bare fallow in autumn (P < 0.05). Soil moisture content changed from autumn to spring and was highest under Sudan grass in both irrigation regimes (P < 0.05). Earthworm numbers equalised and were then similar in all treatments, but under rainfed cover crop treatments, earthworm populations gained 62.3 g g−1 in biomass from autumn to the following spring (P < 0.05). Laboratory experiments showed the importance of N content and more palatability of low C:N ratio radish for growth rate of juvenile Aporrectodea longa and cocoon production by Aporrectodea caliginosa. These two earthworm species showed a different preference in choice chamber experiments between roots and shoots. Radish was consumed first in three out of four experiments. Field and laboratory experiments highlighted the effects of cover crops on earthworm abundance, reproduction and development. Overall, our results showed that cover crops can support earthworm development, but under field conditions, soil moisture is more important. In the short-term, this can lead to a trade-off between plant biomass production and earthworm numbers.

POPULASI CACING TANAH PADA BERBAGAI KUALITAS SERESAH (C, N, C/N, LIGNIN, DAN POLYPHENOL) (Studi kasus pada lahan Agroforestry di Taman Nasional Kelimutu, Kabupaten Ende)

Population of the Earthworm on Various Litters Quality (C, N, C / N, Lignin, and Polyphenol) (Case study on Agroforestry Field in Kelimutu National Park, Ende Regency). This study aims to evaluate the population of earthworms and the quality of plant organic matter in various agroforestry systems, intensive agriculture and secondary forests. Taking samples of plant organic matter and earthworms conducted in January - July 2016 (in the rainy season) on the land Agroforestry : Clove (AF – CK), Cocoa (AF – KK), candlenut (AF – KM, cofee (AF – KP) compared to intensive farmland (monoculture vegetable crops) and secondary forest (SPL - HS), with 3 x replications. The observed variables in addition to the number of earthworms found and the monolith sampling, also observed the quality of plant organic matter (C (Walkley and black), N (Kjehldahl), Lignin, and Polyphenol (Goering and Van Soest)) (Kuadran). Survey results showed that the earthworm population in SPL-AF was as low as the population in SPL-HS, averaging 3 m - 2, while in SPL - PI averaged only 0.24 m -2. The earthworm biomass in AF is about 69% smaller than the worms found in SPL - HS; average earthworm biomass in SPL - AF 15 g m - 2 whereas in SPL - HS averaged 47 g m - 2; and the smallest worm biomass found in SPL-PI averaged about 2.3 g m-2. The average quality of organic matter of C - org plants in all SPL was 38% to 50%, the highest C - org levels of AF - CK, AF - KP and SPL - HS were significantly different (p &lt;0.05) with C (an average of 39%). Levels of N and lignin levels of all plant organic matter were equal (P&gt; 0.05), the mean of each were 1.36% and 41.13% respectively. C / N ratio in AF - CK and HS was the average of 52.78% or 58 times higher than AF - KK, AF - KM, and AF - KP, the mean of 31.11% Polyphenolic content of different plant organic matter real (p &lt;0.05) between SPL. The largest polyphenol content of 17.5% is found in organic material of plant AF - CK and SPL - HS, while the organic material of the plants on other land is on average 3,4%. Organic plant material with polyphenol content&gt; 2% will be slow weathered.

ANALISIS SINERGITAS TARIK ULUR KEPENTINGAN DALAM PRODUKSI PERTANIAN DAN JASA LINGKUNGAN

Synergi analysis of the tugging of interest in agricultural production and envirometal services. Conversion of land functions into intensive agriculture can cause degradation or declining land capability. This is because farmers' orientation is always on production and ignoring environmental services. Intensive agriculture always causes environmental problems, resulting in a tug of war in agricultural production and environmental services. The purpose of this study is to find out how much intensive land use has resulted in a deterioration of environmental services. This research was carried out on intensive agricultural land (Horticulture) (PI), AF-CK (cloves), AF-KK (cocoa), AF-KM (candlenut), AF-KP (coffee), owned by farmers and AF-HS (forest secondary) in Tn. Kelimutu National. This research uses interviews and exploration methods. The results showed that the level of intensification of horticultural land use in Kelimutu was classified as very intensive with an R-value and an LUI index = 79, the survey results showed that the density of earthworm populations in SPL-AF was as low as the population in SPL-HS, on average only 3 tails m-2, while in SPL-PI the average is only 0.24 m 2. The earthworm biomass in AF is about 69% smaller than the worms found in SPL-HS; earthworm biomass average in SPL-AF 15 g m-2 while in SPL-HS an average of 47 g m-2; and the smallest worm biomass found in SPL-PI averaging about 2.3 g m-2. The diversity of earthworms is significantly different between land uses. The average diversity of earthworms (H ') reaches 0.88; Index R = 0.34; and Index E = 0.92. The four species that dominate are 1). Pontoscolex (endogeik, INP = 48.52), 2). Megascolex (endogeik; INP 44,61), 3). Pheretima (epigeic, INP 35.29), and 4). Lumbricus (epigeic, INP = 13.01)

The Change of pH Value and Octolasion cyaneum Savigny Earthworms’ Activity under Stubble Crops after Spring Triticale Continuous Cultivation

The changes of pH value followed by various agricultural practices are crucial for biotic components of soil, along with other environmental factors, like temperature and moisture content. In this paper, the earthworms population in triticale continuous cultivation was monitored. Their presence associated with various agrotechnical methods (e.g., stubble crops maintained as mulch, mineral fertilization without pesticides) were assessed twice by the handsorting method, and their presence during the triticale vegetation season (occurrence of coprolites) were monitored too. The aim of the study was to analyse the distribution of earthworm populations in cereal continuous cultivation fields, and whether they prefer any of the stubble crop species (Sinapis alba L., Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth., Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.), which were sown after triticale harvest. The results reveal the most abundant earthworms occurence in the F. esculentum objects (43.1% of all sampled earthworms, which consists of 42% and 47.2% of all sampled matured and juveniles individuals, respectively), and species homogeneity (dominate Octolasion cyaneum Savigny, 1826). The changes of pH varied through the triticale vegetation season, but didn’t exhibit severe variation between sampling sites. Using earthworm services in cropping systems after having enticed them to the field through stubble crop has the potential to boost agricultural sustainability. Their ecological preferences, along with their trophic behaviour, have already been put in place to complete a case study of the autecology of the O. cyaneum Savigny 1826 species.

Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 Journal &gt; Special Issue &gt; Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 &gt; Page 5 “Quantative Methods in Modern Science” organized by Academic Paper Ltd, Russia MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE GENUS GAGEA SALISB., GROWING IN THE EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION Authors: Zhamal T. Igissinova,Almash A. Kitapbayeva,Anargul S. Sharipkhanova,Alexander L. Vorobyev,Svetlana F. Kolosova,Zhanat

Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 Journal &gt; Special Issue &gt; Special Issue No. – 10, June, 2020 &gt; Page 5 “Quantative Methods in Modern Science” organized by Academic Paper Ltd, Russia MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE GENUS GAGEA SALISB., GROWING IN THE EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION Authors: Zhamal T. Igissinova,Almash A. Kitapbayeva,Anargul S. Sharipkhanova,Alexander L. Vorobyev,Svetlana F. Kolosova,Zhanat

The Diversification and Intensification of Crop Rotations under No-Till Promote Earthworm Abundance and Biomass

The diversification and intensification of crop rotations (DICR) in no-till systems is a novel approach that aims to increase crop production, together with decreasing environmental impact. Our objective was to analyze the effect of different levels of DICR on the abundance, biomass, and species composition of earthworm communities in Argentinean Pampas. We studied three levels of DICR—typical rotation (TY), high intensification with grass (HG), and with legume (HL); along with three references—natural grassland (NG), pasture (PA), and an agricultural external reference (ER). The NG had the highest earthworm abundance. Among the DICR treatments, abundance and biomass were higher in HL than in HG and, in both, these were higher than in TY. The NG and PA had a distinctive taxonomic composition and higher species richness. Instead, the DICR treatments had a similar richness and species composition. Earthworm abundance and biomass were positively related to rotation intensity and legume proportion indices, carbon input, and particulate organic matter content. The application of DICR for four years, mainly with legumes, favors the development of earthworm populations. This means that a subtle change in management, as DICR, can have a positive impact on earthworms, and thus on earthworm-mediated ecosystem services, which are important for crop production.