Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Abundance of earthworms under fertilization with organo-mineral fertilizers in a chernozem from west of Romania

Author(s):

Mădălina Iordache

Recieved Date: 2012-06-12, Accepted Date: 2012-10-06

Abstract:

This paper presents the results found in a chernozem soil (FAO System) regarding the earthworm abundance and biomass after two years of application of two types of organo-mineral fertilizers coated with potassium humic acids, noted as HF 1 and HF 2, which are new fertilisers which need to be tested under pedofauna (earthworms) aspect in order to be certified for use in the Romanian agriculture. These fertilisers were tested in two plant cultures, maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), this last being cultivated after maize in the second year of research. The obtained results correlated to several chemical (pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and physical (bulk density, total porosity, compaction degree) indices of soils.  As well, within the researched perimeter the earthworm species were taxonomically identified, as follows: Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister 1843, Eisenia foetida Savigni 1826 and Lumbricus castaneus Savigni 1826. Pearson‘s correlations showed that earthworm number increased with the nitrogen content of soil and with a lower bulk density and higher porosity. On the contrary, earthworm number decreased with high compaction degree and with lower content of nitrogen in soil. Generally, the soil content in phosphorus negatively correlated to earthworm number which increases with its decrease. There were found preponderantly negative Pearson‘s correlations between soil content in potassium and earthworm number. 

Keywords:

Earthworms, fertilizers, soil properties, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Lumbricus rubellus, Eisenia foetida, Lumbricus castaneus

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 1103-1105

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