Summary
This field trial examined how organic soil amendments affect the microhabitat properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens in minimum tillage wheat cultivation. Farmyard manure significantly increased midden size (approximately doubled to 20.6 g dry weight) and endogeic earthworm abundance compared to compost or control treatments, whilst middens containing fresh wheat leaves supported markedly elevated mesofauna populations (up to 2.8-fold). The findings suggest that farmyard manure application enhances both the structural quality and biological activity of earthworm-constructed microhabitats in arable systems.
UK applicability
The study was conducted under United Kingdom conditions using minimum tillage arable management, making the findings directly applicable to UK cereal farming systems. The results support the adoption of farmyard manure amendments to promote earthworm populations and soil biological activity, which may improve soil health and resilience in UK arable cultivation.
Key measures
Midden dry weight (g), endogeic earthworm abundance, mesofauna abundance (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes), extractable plant nutrients (P, K, S, Mn)
Outcomes reported
The study examined biological, physical and chemical properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens under minimum tillage wheat cultivation with different soil amendments. It measured earthworm abundance, midden size, mesofauna colonisation, and nutrient enrichment in response to farmyard manure, compost and unamended control treatments.
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