Long-term effects of earthworms on microbial biomass nitrogen in coarse and fine textured soils

Hendrix, Paul F.; Peterson, Adam C.; Beare, Michael H.; Coleman, David C.

doi:10.1016/s0929-1393(98)00092-4

Cited by 30 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…2) and an increase in mineral N availability. Hendrix et al (1998) showed that earthworm additions appear to influence the turnover and size of the SMB-N. Such examples illustrate the possible interactions among SMB and other soil organisms that can impact on ecological interpretations of SMB.…”

Section: Soil Trophic Levelsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Interpretation of microbial biomass measurements for soil quality assessment in humid temperate regions

Carter¹,

Gregorich²,

Angers³

et al. 1999

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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Interpretation of microbial biomass measurements for soil quality assessment in humid temperate regions. Can. J. Soil Sci. 79: 507-520. Soil microbial biomass (SMB) measurements are often used in soil biological analysis; however, their interpretation can be problematic. In this review, both the limitations and benefits of indirect (both CHCl 3 fumigation incubation and fumigation extraction, and substrate-induced respiration) SMB measurements are outlined, along with their value and interpretation as attributes or indicators to assess some soil quality (SQ) functions (e.g., enhance plant growth, maintain aggregation, regulate energy) for mainly humid, temperate soils, with specific emphasis on research conducted in eastern Canada and New Zealand. Indirect SMB methods are subject to limitations analogous to "soil test" procedures (e.g., soil sampling and handling, water content, storage prior to treatment), and also the difficulties with establishing an acceptable "control" and fraction (i.e., k value) of SMB mineralized or extracted. In many cases, such limitations present a need for some degree of standardization (e.g., pre-conditions of 7-to 10-d incubation at 25°C and -0.001MPa water potential) prior to SMB measurement. However, for SQ assessment, where "comparative" rather than "absolute" values of SMB are often of interest, use of commonly derived k values seem appropriate for surface soils.Soil ecological factors govern SMB and often underlie much of the spatial and temporal variation in SMB. Plant species composition, mainly through net primary productivity and litter quality, can affect SMB measurements along with trophic cascades in soil, where interactions among soil organisms can influence microbial activity. Benefits of SMB measurements relate mainly to the assessment of both soil C turnover and management induced changes in organic matter. The combination of SMB and δ 13 C to elucidate the transformations and fate of organic C in cropping and soil management systems has also shown that both temporal and spatial redistribution of C inputs, and soil type (i.e., particle size distribution) are dominant factors in turnover and nutrient flow through the SMB.For SQ assessment, SMB is not a useful indicator for the function of soil as a "medium for plant growth" in regard to plant productivity for intensively farmed temperate soils. For the function of soil to "maintain aggregation", where SMB is one agent only of a multi-faceted process, the relationship between SMB and soil aggregation is not always present and tends to be site-specific. In regard to the "regulate energy" soil function, SMB is related to some degree with decomposition and mineralization processes. The main role of SMB for SQ assessment is to serve within a minimum data set of other indicators (e.g., macroorganic C) to monitor soil organic C storage and change.Key words: Soil microbial biomass, humid climate, soil quality Carter, M. R., Gregorich, E. G., Angers, D. A., Beare, M. H., Sparling, G. P., Wardle, D. A. et Voroney, R. P. 1999. ...

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Section: Soil Trophic Levelsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Interpretation of microbial biomass measurements for soil quality assessment in humid temperate regions

Carter¹,

Gregorich²,

Angers³

et al. 1999

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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“…While the stimulation of some bacteria within the earthworm digestive tract and in fresh casts is often reported, the long-term effect of earthworms on bacteria biomass in the bulk soil is still under debate. In some studies, bacterial biomass increased in response to earthworm stimulation (Burtelow et al 1998;Li et al 2002;Groffman et al 2004) and decreased following earthworm consumption in other studies (Hendrix et al 1998;Groffman et al 2004).…”

Section: Effect Of Earthworms On Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Cycmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Bertrand

Barot

Blouin

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

277

143

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Intensive agriculture is often criticized for negative impacts on environment and human health. This issue may be solved by a better management of organisms living in crop fields. Here, we review the benefits of earthworms for crops, and we present techniques to increase earthworm abundance. The major points are the following: (1) Earthworms usually improve soil structural stability and soil porosity and reduce runoff. (2) Earthworms modify soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrient cycling. Specifically, earthworms stabilize SOM fractions within their casts, and they also increase the mineralization of organic matter in the short term by altering physical protection within aggregates and enhancing microbial activity. (3) The positive correlation between earthworm abundance and crop production is not systematic, and contrasting effects on yields have been observed. Earthworms induce the production of hormone-like substances that improve plant growth and health. (4) Direct drilling increases earthworm abundance and species diversity, but the beneficial effect of reduced tillage depends upon the species present and tillage intensity. (5) Organic amendments enhance earthworm abundance. (6) Earthworms feeding at soil surface are the most exposed to pesticides and other agrochemicals. Finally, we discuss how to combine management practices, including inoculation, to increase the earthworm services. We conclude that using earthworm services in cropping systems has potential to boost agricultural sustainability.

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“…Finally, recent studies using stable isotopic techniques in a variety of ecosystems suggest the potential for direct competition between native and exotic species for food resources, based on overlap in 13 C and 15 N signatures (Hendrix et al 1998(Hendrix et al , 1999aCallaham et al 2001;Lachnicht et al 2002;Winsome 2003). These relatively short-term studies do not show actual displacement of native species; longer-term observations or studies of well-characterized chronosequences might be more conclusive.…”

Section: Interactions Between Native and Exotic Earthwormsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasion of exotic earthworms into ecosystems inhabited by native earthworms

et al. 2006

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The most conspicuous biological invasions in terrestrial ecosystems have been by exotic plants, insects and vertebrates. Invasions by exotic earthworms, although not as well studied, may be increasing with global commerce in agriculture, waste management and bioremediation. A number of cases has documented where invasive earthworms have caused significant changes in soil profiles, nutrient and organic matter dynamics, other soil organisms or plant communities. Most of these cases are in areas that have been disturbed (e.g., agricultural systems) or were previously devoid of earthworms (e.g., north of Pleistocene glacial margins). It is not clear that such effects are common in ecosystems inhabited by native earthworms, especially where soils are undisturbed. We explore the idea that indigenous earthworm fauna and/or characteristics of their

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Long-term effects of earthworms on microbial biomass nitrogen in coarse and fine textured soils

Cited by 30 publications

References 18 publications

Interpretation of microbial biomass measurements for soil quality assessment in humid temperate regions

Interpretation of microbial biomass measurements for soil quality assessment in humid temperate regions

Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Invasion of exotic earthworms into ecosystems inhabited by native earthworms

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