Role of earthworms in soil fertility and its impact on agriculture: A review

Akhila, A; Entoori, Keshamma

doi:10.22271/23940522.2022.v9.i3a.907

Cited by 18 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Burrowing detritivores transfer nutrients from the surface to belowground through fragmented plant litter, faeces, and excretions. Animal burrows enhance soil conditions by improving water infiltration, soil aeration, and thermal buffering, creating a favourable microclimate for microbes and mesofauna, which promote the mineralization of nutrients via the intertwined effects of climatic and nutrient facilitation [22]. The concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate increased by 1.5, 2, and 1.3 times, respectively, in the vicinity of the vertical burrow of desert isopods as compared to 20 cm distant from the burrow [17].…”

Section: Fig 2 Different Arthropods In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Arthropods: An Unsung Heroes of Soil Fertility

Kishore SM,

Priyadharshini TB,

Sowmya

2024

JABB

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Soils are crucial elements of ecosystems, and their fertility is maintained mainly by the actions of their living organisms. The fertility of soil depends on its ability to provide plants with vital nutrients needed for their growth and reproduction. Additionally, soil acts as a physical medium that facilitates root growth and respiration while also maintaining its structural integrity against erosive forces. Arthropods play a significant role in enhancing the decomposition of plant litter in two ways. Firstly, they directly turn it into their tissues. Secondly, they indirectly alter it physically and chemically, turning it into substrates that can further be decomposed. Termites have higher assimilation efficiencies compared to other soil arthropods, which means they can convert a greater proportion of ingested litter into biomass directly. On the other hand, collembola, oribatid, myriapods, and Isopoda contribute to nutrient cycling indirectly as secondary decomposers. They condition litter for further breakdown by the microflora through comminution and passage through the gut. Arthropods, such as insects, can create tunnels and burrows in soil, which help to allow air and water to penetrate deeper into the soil. These tunnels also help to mix organic materials into the upper layers of soil. In addition, arthropod faeces serve as the starting point for the creation of soil aggregates that are necessary for maintaining the soil structure and integrity. Soil arthropods play a crucial role in the formation of humus, which helps to retain water and nutrients in the soil. In addition, they provide important ecosystem services, including provisional, supporting, and regulating services. Unfortunately, these tiny creatures' contributions to the environment are often undervalued and neglected.

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Section: Fig 2 Different Arthropods In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Arthropods: An Unsung Heroes of Soil Fertility

Kishore SM,

Priyadharshini TB,

Sowmya

2024

JABB

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“…Vermicompost contains bio-oxidative reactions and organic matter stabilization, but unlike other compost, it also needs interactions between earthworms and microbes (Mupambwa et al 2022). Earthworms lead to a greater microbial population by fragmenting and eating fresh organic waste, whereas microorganisms contribute to the biochemical breakdown of organic matter by producing enzymes (Traoré et al 2022;Akhila and Entoori 2022). The interactions between earthworms and other species in the soil can have an impact on a variety of micro ora and microfauna populations (Akhila and Entoori 2022; Lores et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vermicompost and Organic Manure Interactions: Effects on Heavy Metal Concentrations, Nitrification Activity, Comammox Nitrospira inopinata, and Archaea/Bacteria

Huda,

Rana,

Rahman

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Vermicompost is a substantial source of nutrients, promotes soil fertility, and maintains or increases soil organic matter levels. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in vermicompost impact on nitrification activity. However, it is yet unknown how vermicompost affects nitrifying bacteria and archaea, comammox Nitrospira inopinata (complete ammonia oxidizers), net nitrification rates (NNRs), and PTEs. The effects of vermicompost application on NNRs, potential nitrification rates (NPs), PTEs, and the abundances of comammox N. inopinata bacteria, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB)/archaea (AOA) were studied. NNRs and NPs were significantly higher (p<0.05) in fresh cow-dung vermicompost (stored for 40 days) as compared with other organic manure. The level of PTEs (Cu2+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+) was significantly lower (p<0.05)) in vermicompost as compared with compost of waste material with Trichoderma and cow-dung. Comammox N. inopinata, NOB, AOB, and AOA were significantly higher (p<0.05) in stored cow-dung vermicompost (more than one year) as compared with other organic manure. The results of the Scatter plot matrix analysis suggested that Fe2+, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total carbon (TC) were linearly correlated (p<0.001) with NNRs and NPs in vermicompost and organic manure. Similarly, comammox N. inopinata bacteria, NOB, AOB, and AOA were linearly correlated (p<0.001) with NNR and NP. It may be concluded that the influence of vermicompost, which played a great role in PTEs concentrations reduction, increased chemical and biological properties, increased the growth rate of nitrifying bacteria/ archaea and the nitrogen cycle.

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“…High biomass and diverse populations of soil fauna are typically associated with healthy soils, indicating well-structured and fertile environments. For instance, earthworms enhance soil structure, increase porosity and aeration, and aid nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition . Microarthropods and nematodes signal soil degradation. − Termites boost soil fertility and water dynamics, offering insights into soil health and ecosystem function …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, earthworms enhance soil structure, increase porosity and aeration, and aid nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. 4 Microarthropods and nematodes signal soil degradation. 5−7 Termites boost soil fertility and water dynamics, offering insights into soil health and ecosystem function.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing Soil Health: Challenges and Opportunities in Integrating Digital Imaging, Spectroscopy, and Machine Learning for Bioindicator Analysis

Wang,

Cheng,

Meftaul

et al. 2024

Anal. Chem.

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Role of earthworms in soil fertility and its impact on agriculture: A review

Cited by 18 publications

References 51 publications

Soil Arthropods: An Unsung Heroes of Soil Fertility

Soil Arthropods: An Unsung Heroes of Soil Fertility

Vermicompost and Organic Manure Interactions: Effects on Heavy Metal Concentrations, Nitrification Activity, Comammox Nitrospira inopinata, and Archaea/Bacteria

Advancing Soil Health: Challenges and Opportunities in Integrating Digital Imaging, Spectroscopy, and Machine Learning for Bioindicator Analysis

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