ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Key words Earthworm
;
Burrowing
;
Residue
;
Bioturbation
;
Aporrectodea tuberculata
;
Microcosms
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Subsurface-dwelling Aporrectodea tuberculata, a common earthworm in Upper-Midwest (USA) agricultural fields, may be a significant component of agroecosystems with regard to soil mixing and preferential transport of water and chemicals. In this study we looked at effects of food residue placement and food type on A. tuberculata burrowing and soil turnover in two-dimensional Evans box microcosms. Four food residue placements mimicked patterns induced by primary tillage and two food types, readily available and natural food sources, with no food as a control. An average earthworm population of 100 earthworms m–2 was calculated to generate 1058 km ha–1 of new burrows and turnover 7.9 Mg ha–1 of soil in 1 week of activity at 20°C. Burrowing was random until food sources were encountered, at which time burrowing appeared to center around the food source.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00335936
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