Allyl isothiocyanate: an alternative chemical expellant for sampling earthworms

Zaborski, Edmond R.

doi:10.1016/s0929-1393(02)00106-3

Cited by 88 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…and sometimes Sinapis alba L.) and varieties. They all contain precursors of isothiocyanate, and the type and concentration of isothiocyanate produced can vary (Fahey et al 2001;Zasada and Ferris 2004), also between years and regions of seed production (DeClerq and Daun 2003;Zaborski 2003). Given the known composition and reproducibility of pure AITC solutions and the resulting confidence in the comparability of results, Zaborski (2003) compared pure AITC solutions of different concentrations with formalin and hand sorting and found that 100 mg l À1 AITC was as efficient as 200 mg l À1 formalin, in particular for the capture of anecic earthworms.…”

Section: How To Sample? Optimizing Earthworm Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Just before application, the suspensions were stirred again. Since AITC is not readily soluble in water, pure AITC (95% purity grade, 1.017 g cm À3 ) was first diluted with isopropanol (technical purity grade, 0.785 g cm À3 ) to provide a 5 g l À1 stock solution (Zaborski 2003). In the field, appropriate volumes of stock solution were then diluted with water to arrive at application volumes of 20 l and the final concentrations mentioned above.…”

Section: Preparation Of Expellantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimizing Earthworm Sampling in Ecosystems

Valckx

Govers

Hermy

et al. 2010

Biology of Earthworms

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To quantify the role of earthworms in ecosystems, a precise and accurate estimation of their diversity, abundance and biomass is needed. To date, a diverse set of earthworm sampling methods is available, and a diverse amount of chemical expellants have been used to greater or lesser success. Earthworm ecologists have so far often relied on expert judgement or past experience when it comes to spatial sampling designs and determination of sample size. However, based on the ever increasing data available in the literature, we start to understand the spatial organisation of earthworm populations. Moreover, straightforward techniques exist to assess earthworm species richness and the corresponding sampling effort needed to capture it, but so far these were not used in earthworm ecology.In this chapter, we contribute to the optimization of earthworm sampling in terms of (1) how to sample, (2) where to sample and (3) how many samples to take.First, we assess optimal concentrations of chemical expellants (allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and mustard) recently recommended for earthworm sampling. The efficiency of these vermifuges is then evaluated against formalin application using a combined earthworm sampling method (extraction followed by hand sorting). Practical considerations are discussed.Like many living organisms, earthworm populations are neither uniformly nor randomly distributed, but exhibit an aggregated distribution in patches. The range of spatial autocorrelation in these patches is an important variable to consider in spatial sampling designs. Based on a literature overview, guidelines for spatial sampling design are presented.

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Section: How To Sample? Optimizing Earthworm Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Preparation Of Expellantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Earthworm Sampling in Ecosystems

Valckx

Govers

Hermy

et al. 2010

Biology of Earthworms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Zaborski [91] was the first to take the active ingredient in mustard, Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and use it directly as a vermifuge, finding no difference in efficacy in total numbers or biomass compared to formalin. Gutiérrez-López et al [92] took this expellant one step further, utilizing AITC solution and tested against hand-sorting, formalin, and a combination of methods in a Mediterranean climate in Central-Western Spain with historic Dehesa agroforestry land use.…”

Section: Mustardmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Rhea-Fournier¹,

González²

2017

Forest Ecology and Conservation

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Decades of studies have shown that soil macrofauna, especially earthworms, play dominant engineering roles in soils, affecting physical, chemical, and biological components of ecosystems. Quantifying these effects would allow crucial improvement in biogeochemical budgets and modeling, predicting response of land use and disturbance, and could be applied to bioremediation efforts. Effective methods of manipulating earthworm communities in the field are needed to accompany laboratory microcosm studies to calculate their net function in natural systems and to isolate specific mechanisms. This chapter reviews laboratory and field methods for enumerating and manipulating earthworm populations, as well as approaches toward quantifying their influences on soil processes and biogeochemical cycling.

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“…More recently use of "hot" mustard has been used to give a more consistent index of earthworm abundance across a range of soil types [18]. As the type of mustard may also affect results, an extract derived from mustard seed Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) has been used for earthworm collection [19]. AITC has recently been shown as a reliable and promising chemical expellant whether or not used in combination with handsorting [20].…”

Section: Collection Techniques (First Catch Your Earthworm)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Basic Research Tools for Earthworm Ecology

Butt

Grigoropoulou

2010

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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Earthworms are responsible for soil development, recycling organic matter and form a vital component within many food webs. For these and other reasons earthworms are worthy of investigation. Many technologically-enhanced approaches have been used within earthworm-focused research. These have their place, may be a development of existing practices or bring techniques from other fields. Nevertheless, let us not overlook the fact that much can still be learned through utilisation of more basic approaches which have been used for some time. New does not always equate to better. Information on community composition within an area and specific population densities can be learned using simple collection techniques, and burrowing behaviour can be determined from pits, resin-insertion or simple mesocosms. Life history studies can be achieved through maintenance of relatively simple cultures. Behavioural observations can be undertaken by direct observation or with low cost webcam usage. Applied aspects of earthworm research can also be achieved through use of simple techniques to enhance population development and even population dynamics can be directly addressed with use of relatively inexpensive, effective marking techniques. This paper seeks to demonstrate that good quality research in this sphere can result from appropriate application of relatively simple research tools.

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Allyl isothiocyanate: an alternative chemical expellant for sampling earthworms

Cited by 88 publications

References 17 publications

Optimizing Earthworm Sampling in Ecosystems

Optimizing Earthworm Sampling in Ecosystems

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Basic Research Tools for Earthworm Ecology

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