Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Peer-reviewed

Earthworm community and soil microstructure changes with long-term organic fertilization

Alcira Sunilda Valdez, Àngela D. Bosch‐Serra, María R. Yagüe, Rosa M. Poch, Elena Puigpinós

Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science · 2019

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sludge compost (SC) in two rates and pig slurry (PS) on soil quality, in the framework of a field experiment (19-year-old) in a Mediterranean rainfed system. The treatments were compared with mineral fertilization (MF) plus a control treatment (no N fertilization). Soil microstructure and types of voids, earthworm community and its bioturbation were studied using micromorphological methods. Two earthworm species, Koinodrilus roseus and Nicodrilus trapezoides were identified; the latter was not present in the SC treatments. Earthworm abundance and biomass were not affected by fertilization. Pig slurry increased bioturbation associated with earthworm activity, improved soil microstructure (crumb type) and increased the biopore presence (co

Subject
Soil health assessment & monitoring
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
System type
Other
DOI
10.1080/03650340.2019.1648792
Catalogue ID
SNmoy148lc-66xfft
Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.