Earthworm burrow number and vertical distribution are affected by the crop sequence of a grass-clover rotation system

Krogh, Paul Henning; Lamandé, Mathieu; Holmstrup, Martin; Eriksen, Jørgen

doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2021.103294

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the same timeframe, anecic earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris L.) were unable to markedly increase the sub‐soil's biopore density, indicating that in these ley durations, deep‐rooting species with taproots may have a greater effect on the creation of biopores than earthworms (Kautz et al, 2014). In grass‐clover swards with added manure, however, three years were sufficient to create biopores that aid the increased impact of the epi‐anecic earthworm species Aporrectodea longa L. and Lumbricus herculeus L. (Krogh et al, 2021). These benefits have been shown before and are especially prominent in no‐till systems, where the soil structure is not destroyed during the conversion of a follow‐on crop (Alhameid et al, 2020).…”

Section: The Impact Of a Grassland Ley On The Outcomes Of A Follow‐on...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

Malisch,

Finn,

Eriksen

et al. 2024

Grass and Forage Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ongoing simplification of agricultural production systems has resulted in several negative consequences, ranging from losses in soil organic carbon and biodiversity to a high dependency on external inputs to maintain high yields. We identify how grassland leys in crop rotations may help to mitigate these effects, by conserving soil organic carbon and enhancing nutrient efficiency. In particular, grasslands containing legumes enhance these benefits by providing nitrogen, and displacement of mineral N fertilizer. In crop rotations, these grasslands may transfer some of the acquired nitrogen to arable follow‐on crops, thereby reducing the necessity for external inputs, while at the same time providing additional benefits, such as improvement of soil quality and reduction of weed pressure. However, there are still considerable knowledge gaps about how to optimize the community composition of grassland leys to best enhance the supply of these ecosystem services. Although the benefits of multi‐species grasslands for the grassland crop have been shown repeatedly and across a large gradient of environments, further research is required to determine the benefits for follow‐on crops, particularly across different environmental conditions. Here, we emphasize the importance of multi‐site research, such as in the research network LegacyNet. Finally, we present management techniques that are optimized for both ecosystem services and agronomic performance in mechanically cut and grazed systems. For the latter, we consider how the inclusion of bioactive plant species can enhance animal health and lower methane emissions in grazing ruminants.

show abstract

Section: The Impact Of a Grassland Ley On The Outcomes Of A Follow‐on...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

Malisch,

Finn,

Eriksen

et al. 2024

Grass and Forage Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Changes in the absolute and relative densities of earthworm ecological groups due to agricultural management are likely reflected in earthworm mediated soil functions both qualitatively and quantitatively (Pelosi et al, 2014). Especially the reduction of large anecic species due to intensive tillage may drastically impair functions such as soil macropore formation (Pelosi et al, 2017;Krogh et al, 2021) and litter decomposition . However, studies quantifying the contribution of earthworms to soil functions in differently managed soils remain rare, because it is difficult to disentangle the direct causes for functional changes in agricultural soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworm and arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in agricultural soils : management of key soil organisms for sustainable agriculture

Torppa¹

2023

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intensive agriculture is detrimental to soil biodiversity and functioning. Promoting communities of key soil organisms, such as earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, may help improve agricultural sustainability by replacing inputs with ecosystem services. In this thesis, I explore ways to manage earthworm communities for improved soil functioning via adjusted agricultural practices, promotion of source habitats in the landscape, and inoculation. I also explore the effects of soil compaction on AM fungal symbiosis in wheat varieties, and test application of grassland soil as a method to increase AM fungal diversity in agricultural soils. I show that diverse earthworm communities and bioturbation can be promoted by reducing tillage intensity and total earthworm densities can be increased via diversifying crop rotations. Moist and fertile semi-natural grasslands with high small-scale habitat heterogeneity may serve to sustain earthworm diversity in agricultural landscapes. Inoculation with commercially obtained Lumbricus terrestris earthworms may help restore populations of this tillage sensitive species and improve wheat growth but the long-term establishment of these worms is uncertain. Application of grassland soil may increase AM fungal diversity in agricultural soils but this may not be reflected in AM fungal taxa colonizing wheat roots. I also show that soil compaction differently affects AM colonization in wheat varieties. Further research needs to identify which earthworm and AM fungal community properties best result in functional benefits under different conditions. Nevertheless, I show that earthworm and AM fungal communities can be promoted in various ways, individually or in combination, suggesting potential to enhance functional effects of these key organisms in agricultural soils.

show abstract

Earthworm Ecology: Populations

Edwards

Arancon

2022

Biology and Ecology of Earthworms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Earthworm burrow number and vertical distribution are affected by the crop sequence of a grass-clover rotation system

Cited by 6 publications

References 30 publications

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

Earthworm and arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in agricultural soils : management of key soil organisms for sustainable agriculture

Earthworm Ecology: Populations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About