Seasonal variations in infiltration rate under no-till and conventional (disk) tillage systems as affected by Lumbricus terrestris activity

Earthworm, infiltration, and tillage relationships in a dryland pea–wheat rotation

“…Lumbricus terrestris (L.) and other surface feeding anecic species can create obvious pathways for water infiltration (Willoughby et al, 1997). In this study, Aporrectodea trapezoides did not appear to create surface-connected vertical burrows.…”

Effect of land management in mountainous regions on physical quality of sandy loam Haplic Cambisol soil

“…This is typical for the upper, ploughed layer of agricultural soils. Temporal variation in hydraulic conductivity is caused by the growth and decay of plant roots (Meek et al, 1992), activity of soil organisms (Beven and Germann, 1982;Willoughby et al, 1996), precipitation that forms surface crusts (Messing and Jarvis, 1993), alternate shrinking and swelling processes (Messing and Jarvis, 1990;Bagarello et al, 1999), and agricultural activities, such as tillage and wheel-traffic compaction (Ankeny et al, 1990;Logsdon and Jaynes, 1996). Because many factors influence the hydraulic conductivity, a temporal pattern is usually difficult to observe (Logsdon, 1993).…”

Quantifying the Effects of Earthworms on Soil Aggregation and Porosity

“…By burrowing into the soil and creating macropores, earthworms can increase infiltration rates 2-to 15-fold, which should lead to a reduction in runoff (Ehlers 1975;Joschko et al 1989; W.M. Edwards et al 1990;Kladivko and Timmenga 1990;Bouché and Al-Addan 1997;Willoughby et al 1997). This, in turn, should contribute to a reduction in soil loss.…”