Relation between chemical indices of soil and earthworm abundance under chemical fertilization

Abstract

The study intended to establish how the dynamics of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) changes in soil (abundance, biomass), under conditions of mineral fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous in four different doses, in a 33-year experimental placement in the west of Romania, in wheat-soybean-maize-barley rotation. The soil indices taken into study were: pH, humus, total nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Statistical connections between the studied factors were realized using the dispersion analysis ANOVA and the SPSS Software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The study showed an increase of earthworm abundance and biomass under conditions of chemical fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous. The highest number of earthworms was recorded in the treatment with the largest dose of nitrogen fertilizer (by 85.85% higher compared to the control treatment). The greatest positive influence on earthworm abundance and biomass was manifested in humus and total nitrogen. The greatest negative influence on earthworm abundance was found in pH factor, while phosphorous content of soil exerted the greatest negative influence on earthworm biomass.

Effects of Ash and Bone Phosphorus Biofertilizers on Bacillus megaterium Counts and Select Biological and Physical Soil Properties

“…The observed differences were not statistically significant. Iordache and Borza [26] reported a negative correlation between earthworm weight and phosphorus concentrations in soil, and a less pronounced tendency for earthworm abundance.…”

Earthworm biomass and abundance, soil chemical and physical properties under different poplar plantations in the north of Iran

“…Although pH did not show any significant differences among the treatments, the amount of it was lower in P. d. 63/51, where the abundance and biomass of earthworms were more comparable to the other treatments. Iordache and Borza (2010) found out a negative correlation of pH and phosphorus with earthworm number and biomass. They reported that the phosphorous content of soil exerted the greatest negative influence on earthworm biomass.…”

Soil erosion and earthworm population responses to soil management systems in steep-slope vineyards ..

“…In comparison with periodic soil tillage (PST), permanent green cover (PGC) and straw-cover (SC) have several advantages, since they increase organic matter in the soil and intensify the activities of macro-and microorganisms (Kobel-Lamparski and Lamparski 2000). The positive influence on earthworm population and biomass was manifested in humus and total nitrogen (Iordache and Borza 2010). There is a strong positive correlation between the amounts of inorganic nitrogen applied and population of earthworms (Edwards and Lofty 2002), but the level of significance depends on the type of fertilizer treatment (Whalen et al 1998).…”