Orientation behaviour of earthworms (Lumbricidae) towards different crops

Westernacher, E.; Graff, Otto

doi:10.1007/bf00260594

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…2010). This has been previously verified for epigeic groups (Westernarcher & Graff 1987; Cannavacciuolo et al . 1998).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

“…They (microorganisms) make plant tissues more digestible through the breakdown of recalcitrant and deterrent compounds (Zimmer 2002). Such findings are generally verified for surface feeder earthworm species (Westernarcher & Graff 1987; Cannavacciuolo et al . 1998; Daniel 1991), but not always for earthworms of other ecological groups (Valckx et al .…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

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Habitat components and population density drive plant litter consumption byEudrilus eugeniae(Oligochaeta) under tropical conditions

et al. 2020

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The ingestion of organic and mineral materials by earthworms is a prominent functional role that has profound consequences for the decomposition and stabilization of soil organic matter. To investigate the litter consumption of the African nightcrawler earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae under different tropical conditions, we used DNA barcoding to identify specimens of E. eugeniae collected from sites across the Adamawa region in Cameroon, and studied the influence of habitat suitability (soil properties), soil moisture, litter type, and population density on litter consumption. A total of four litter consumption experiments were carried out using soils collected from refuse disposal sites, agricultural lands, and savannahs dominated by the Mexican sunflower Tithonia diversifolia. The results revealed that litter consumption significantly increased in the refuse disposal and agricultural soils as opposed to the Mexican sunflower (T. diversifolia) soil, a cow dung enriched substrate, and a sterile soil horizon from the savannah (P < 0.05). The optimum moistures for litter consumption were between 24% and 50%. Litter type did not affect the consumption rate of the earthworms (P > 0.05). We observed a general positive density‐dependent consumption with litter mass loss increasing with increasing density. Our results suggest that E. eugeniae has a strong direct effect on the decomposition of plant materials than expected from previous estimations, and that litter consumption rates are determined by several habitat components and population density.

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“…2010). This has been previously verified for epigeic groups (Westernarcher & Graff 1987; Cannavacciuolo et al . 1998).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

Habitat components and population density drive plant litter consumption byEudrilus eugeniae(Oligochaeta) under tropical conditions

et al. 2020

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“…Furthermore, earthworms, and larger soil animals such as moles, may reduce matrix flow and leaching of clay particles and base cations, due to rapid drainage of water via pipe flow in larger channels (Cammeraat 2002). Under beech, earthworm activity is low due to the relatively unpalatable litter (Westernacher & Graff 1987). Clay eluviation and leaching of base cations may be higher than under hornbeam, due to increased matrix flow, and may also proceed uninhibited, because there are no earthworms to counteract it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological control of beech and hornbeam affects species richness via changes in the organic layer, pH and soil moisture characteristics

Kooijman¹,

Cammeraat

2010

Functional Ecology

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Summary1. Litter quality is an important ecosystem factor, which may affect undergrowth species richness via decomposition and organic layers directly, but also via longer-term changes in soil pH and moisture. The impact of beech trees with low-degradable and hornbeam trees with highdegradable litter on biodiversity and soil characteristics was studied in ancient forests on decalcified marl, a parent material sensitive to changes in pH and clay content, and characteristic of large parts of western Europe. 2. Vegetation analysis clearly separated beech and hornbeam plots, and showed that species richness was consistently lower under beech. Low species richness under beech was associated with low pH, high mass of the organic layer and low soil moisture, which were all interrelated. 3. Development of the organic layer was affected by, not only litter quality, but also by pH levels and soil moisture. Under hornbeam, older organic matter increased from almost zero to 1 kg m )2 in drier and more acid soil. Under beech tree litter decay was generally slow, but slowed further in acid soils, where older organic matter amounted to 4 kg m )2 . 4. Soil moisture and pH levels were strongly related, possibly due to long-term soil development. Under hornbeam, which is more palatable to soil organisms, moisture, bulk density, clay content and pH were high. Acidification and clay eluviation may be counteracted by earthworms, which bring base cations and clay particles back to the surface, and stimulate erosion, so that the impermeable, clay-rich subsoil remains close to the surface. Soils remain base-rich and moist, which further stimulates litter decay and species richness. 5. The unpalatable beech showed low pH and clay content, and high porosity, air-filled pore space and depth to the impermeable subsoil. Acidification and clay eluviation may proceed uninhibited, because earthworm activity is low, and erosion limited by protective litter covers. This may lead to drier and more acid soils, which reduce litter decay and species richness even further. 6. Trees with low and high litter quality may thus act as an ecosystem engineer, and not only affect ecosystem functioning via mass of the organic layer, but also via longer-term changes in soil characteristics, which in turn affect species richness of the understorey.

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“…Crop types are also a factor in earthworm distributions (e^. Westernacher & Graff, 1987). Some workers have suggested that earthworms may be suitable as bioindicators (e^.…”

Section: Effects Of Agricultural Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworms of South East Queensland and their agronomic potential in brigalow soils

Blakemore¹

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Bob Myers followed opportunities overseas and passed the supervisory reins to Vic Catchpoole. In this role Vic has been a constant source of encouragement and consolation; not only has he kept the project on track and checked the reports he has also readily lent a hand.Professor Jamieson has generously provided advice, access to his extensive library at Queensland University and critical appraisal of parts of the manuscript.I wish to extend my thanks to the CSIRO scientists and staff at the Cunningham Laboratory who have provided me every assistance. Field work was made pleasurable through the kindly support of the folks at the CSIRO field stations: special thanks go to the station manager, Keith Gould, and staff at Narayen and to Peter Grant and staff at Samford. Contacts with fellow worm workers in various other states have made me feel less isolated in Queensland, thanks Beverley and Tim (and family).Casual aisiitattts clieerfai% toterated the inud% moiiotonf of ttie |las §1iouie work and aadurad tte tot d^ field condittoiii (which we iometimes prodaimed a *'isli's nlglittiiiafel

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Orientation behaviour of earthworms (Lumbricidae) towards different crops

Cited by 8 publications

References 5 publications

Habitat components and population density drive plant litter consumption byEudrilus eugeniae(Oligochaeta) under tropical conditions

Habitat components and population density drive plant litter consumption byEudrilus eugeniae(Oligochaeta) under tropical conditions

Biological control of beech and hornbeam affects species richness via changes in the organic layer, pH and soil moisture characteristics

Earthworms of South East Queensland and their agronomic potential in brigalow soils

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