Summary
This field trial investigated how organic soil amendments affect the population ecology and microhabitat quality of Lumbricus terrestris earthworms in minimum-tillage arable wheat production. Farmyard manure application significantly increased midden size (approximately 2-fold) and endogeic earthworm abundance compared to compost or unamended controls, and supported substantially higher mesofauna communities when fresh crop residues were present. The findings suggest that farmyard manure enhances soil biological activity and nutrient cycling through improved earthworm microhabitats.
UK applicability
These results are directly applicable to UK arable farming systems, particularly as minimum tillage and organic matter management are increasingly promoted for soil health. The findings support the use of farmyard manure over compost for maintaining earthworm populations and associated soil biological communities in cereal rotations.
Key measures
Midden dry weight (g), mesofauna abundance (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes), endogeic earthworm counts, 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 (farmyard manure, compost, or control). It assessed how amendment type influenced earthworm abundance, midden size, mesofauna communities, and nutrient enrichment in midden microhabitats.
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