施肥对玉米养分吸收利用、产量及肥料效益的影响

分别于2006年和2007年,通过田间小区试验,研究了施肥对玉米养分吸收利用及产量的影响.结果表明,2006年测土推荐施肥处理(NPK)植株的N、P2O5、K2O吸收量分别比不施肥处理提高54.94%、41.87%、67.72%,每形成100 kg子粒的养分吸收量N 3.15 kg、P2O5 0.71 kg、K2O 3.90 kg.施肥对玉米增产效果显著,NPK处理的增产率达到28.90%,氮、磷、钾肥对玉米产量的贡献率分别是6.18%、20.69%、12.42%,每千克N、P2O5、K2O对玉米的增产效益分别是2.83、27.45、36.15 kg.两年的试验都表明磷素是供试土壤的第一养分限制因子,氮素的增收效益较小,因此要重视磷、钾肥的施用,减少氮肥的用量,均衡土壤养分比例来提高化肥施用的效益.     

超高产夏玉米养分限制因子及养分吸收积累规律研究

2007年和2008年通过大田试验研究了超高产夏玉米养分限制因子和植株养分吸收积累规律。结果表明:用ASI法推荐的氮、磷、钾平衡施肥产量最高,分别达到12051.2 kg/hm2和13246.3 kg/hm2,施用氮肥平均增产8.92%,钾肥平均增产7.14%,增产效果显著,氮和钾为超高产夏玉米养分主要限制因子。超高产夏玉米植株体内氮、磷、钾的积累量均随生育期的延长而增加,到成熟期达到最大值,养分积累量的大小顺序为氮钾磷,每生产100 kg经济产量吸收养分比例N∶P2O5∶K2O为2.40∶1∶2.73。拔节期至吐丝期是养分吸收的关键时期,养分吸收速率大,积累量高,吐丝后植株仍能吸收较多的氮、磷。从出苗到吐丝期,叶片是氮、磷的分配中心,生育后期茎叶中氮、磷的转运率较高,而钾转移比例较小。超高产夏玉米整个生育期能持续吸收养分,吐丝后适当追肥保证灌浆期养分充足供应对夏玉米超高产至关重要。     

氮磷钾肥用量对紫云英产量效应的研究

采用"3414"肥料效应试验设计方案对紫云英氮、磷、钾肥施用效应及养分的交互作用进行了研究,结果表明:与不施肥处理(CK)相比,13个施肥处理紫云英鲜草平均增产21.1 t·hm-2,平均产量为不施肥处理的2.35倍;分别固定磷(P2O5 60 kg·hm-2)、钾(K2O 60 kg·hm-2)肥,氮(N75 kg·hm-2)、钾(K2O 60 kg·hm-2)肥和氮(N 75 kg·hm-2)、磷(P2O5 60 kg·hm-2)肥用量,在施N 0～112.5 kg·hm-2,P2O5 0～90 kg·hm-2和K2O 0～90 kg·hm-2范围内,紫云英产量随相应肥料用量的增加而显著提高,N、P、K各养分施用的最高增产率分别为65.0%、27.8%和44.5%;从养分效率看,中量水平的氮(N 75.0 kg·hm-2)、磷(P2O5 60 kg·hm-2)和低量水平的钾(K2O 30 kg·hm-2)增产效果最好;氮、磷、钾肥之间存在一定的交互作用,互相影响肥效的发挥,中量水平的养分用量(N 75.0 kg·hm-2、P2O5 60 kg·hm-2和K2O 60 kg·hm-2)有利于各养分效果的发挥.结果说明,施肥对紫云英增产效果明显,氮、磷、钾肥用量和配比是影响紫云英产量的重要因素.     

氮磷钾肥施用量及施用时期对马铃薯养分转运分配的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了氮磷钾不同施用量和施用时期对马铃薯块茎产量和N、P、K吸收累积动态及分配转运的影响。结果表明:不同施肥处理块茎产量在33.5～38.6 t/hm2之间,氮肥农学效率在12.3～50.3 kg/kg之间。与高氮磷低钾处理相比,低氮磷高钾处理显著提高了块茎产量、商品薯产量、商品薯率和氮肥农学效率(P<0.05);以低氮磷高钾且氮肥分期施用的处理最佳。不同施肥处理对养分积累趋势影响不大,但可显著影响各器官在不同生育期的养分积累量及分配比例。收获时低氮磷高钾处理不但能增加块茎中氮、磷、钾养分的积累量和分配比例,还利于提高氮、磷、钾养分向块茎的转运率。将部分氮肥在块茎膨大前追施可更有效提高块茎中的养分分配比例,在追施氮肥的基础上再追施钾肥仅略提高了商品薯比例。     

氮磷钾平衡施用对油用向日葵产量及肥料效率的影响

为明确施用氮、 磷、 钾化肥对油用向日葵产量的影响,以及油用向日葵对氮、 磷、 钾养分的吸收规律和利用效率,于2008~2010年在内蒙古河套及土默川的向日葵典型种植区域进行了9 项次田间肥料试验,结果表明,油用向日葵施用氮、 磷、 钾肥均有增产效果,其中氮肥增产效果最好,钾肥其次,磷肥增产最少,增产幅度分别为20.5%、 14.4% 和 11.5%,每公斤 N、 P2O5 和 K2O分别增产油用向日葵籽粒3.5、 5.0 和 4.6 kg。施用氮、 磷、 钾化肥的养分当季利用率分别为34.3%、 14.8%和50.2%。生产100 kg油用向日葵籽粒分别需要N、 P2O5 和 K2O 4.99、 1.74 和 6.78 kg。以上重要参数的确定为向日葵的科学施肥提供了理论依据,是油用向日葵实现增产增效的基础。     

吉林省西部玉米氮、磷、钾肥施用效果及养分吸收利用特征

明确吉林省西部生态区玉米作物的氮、磷、钾肥施用效果及养分吸收利用特征,为该地区肥料的合理配置与施用提供依据,对持续推进化肥减量增效及农业绿色发展具有积极意义。基于2015—2019年中央财政测土配方施肥项目在吉林省西部布置的360个玉米“3414”田间试验,研究了不同施肥条件下的玉米产量,对比分析氮、磷、钾肥的增产效应以及不同肥料的农学效率和肥料贡献率。结果表明,吉林省西部生态区玉米氮磷钾配施N2P2K2处理(N、P2O5、K2O施用量分别是209.20、97.80、85.15 kg/hm²)的玉米产量最高,平均产量为9.46 t/hm²,较不施肥处理平均增产50.64%。与各缺素处理相比,增施氮、磷、钾肥平均增产2.21、1.37、1.32 t/hm² ,增幅分别为37.81%、23.65%、22.41%。与不施肥处理比较,缺素处理的玉米产量差异显著,其高低顺序为N2P2K0(8.14 t/hm²)>N2P0K2(8.09 t/hm²)>N0P2K2(7.25 t/hm²),表明吉林省西部玉米的养分限制因子顺序为氮>磷>钾。施用氮、磷、钾肥增加玉米养分吸收量(N 192.5 kg/hm²、P2O5 86.5 kg/hm²、K2O 217.4 kg/hm²)。在吉林省西部生态区,玉米作物的氮、磷、钾肥平均农学效率分别为15.11 kg/kg N、22.28 kg/kg P2O5、19.44 kg/kg K2O,平均利用率分别为39.50%、29.27%、45.71%,平均肥料贡献率分别为23.72%、17.59%、14.97%。吉林省西部生态区玉米施肥的增产效果和肥料利用率较高,但仍应结合当地土壤条件,积极进行培肥改良,并应用减肥增效等相关技术,根植科学施肥理念,以提高肥料利用效率,实现玉米增产和土壤肥力的提高。     

减氮控磷稳钾施肥对水稻产量及养分积累的影响

氮、 磷用量偏大,钾肥用量不足不仅影响水稻的正常生长发育,而且导致养分利用率偏低。本文通过田间试验,研究减量施用氮、 磷肥,稳定钾肥投入对水稻产量、 养分积累量和肥料利用率的影响。试验设14个处理,每个处理重复2次。结果表明,氮钾、 磷钾、 氮磷钾配施处理的水稻秸秆生物量和籽粒产量均显著高于不施肥处理（P0.05）; 减氮控磷稳钾处理（N 225 kg/hm2、 P2O5 60 kg/hm2、 K2O 90 kg/hm2）与常规施肥处理相比（N 300 kg/hm2、 P2O5 150 kg/hm2、 K2O 60 kg/hm2）能显著增加水稻秸秆生物量（P0.05）,明显提高千粒重和籽粒产量; 试验还得出,减氮控磷稳钾处理分蘖期地上部氮、 钾含量和秸秆氮、 钾含量显著高于常规施肥处理（P0.05）; 收获期地上部氮、 钾的积累量和氮、 磷的表观利用率显著大于常规施肥处理（P0.05）。适当减少氮、 磷用量, 增加钾肥用量能改善氮、 钾营养状况,促进地上部干物质的积累,提高籽粒产量和氮、 磷表观利用率。N 196.2 kg/hm2、 P2O5 46.5 kg/hm2、 K2O 90 kg/hm2的配施方案具有实际推广应用价值。     

渭北旱塬小麦施肥效果及肥料利用效率研究

总结2006~2009年陕西省渭北旱塬测土配方施肥项目180个3414试验数据,分析当前生产条件下旱作区小麦施肥效果以及施肥量、 土壤肥力水平对小麦产量、 经济效益、 肥料利用效率等的影响,为提高旱作小麦产量和肥料高效利用提供依据。结果表明, 施用氮（N）、 磷（P2O5）、 钾肥（K2O）小麦分别增产986、 679和405 kg/hm2,增产率为30.0%、 18.9%和9.5%,增收1098、 810和392 Yuan/hm2,对小麦产量的贡献率分别为21.5%、 14.8%和8.8%,农学效率分别为6.4、 7.1和7.1 kg/kg; 施肥增产、 增收效果以及肥料贡献率均表现为N＞P2O5＞K2O,农学效率表现为P2O5＝K2O＞N; 与不施肥相比,平衡施用氮、 磷、 钾肥（N+P2O5+K2O）小麦增产73.0%,增收1923 Yuan/hm2,对产量的贡献率为40.0%,农学效率为5.8 kg/kg; 过量施用氮、 磷、 钾肥均无显著减产效应,推荐施肥处理化肥的增产、 增收效果, 对产量的贡献率以及农学效率均最高。土壤肥力对化肥肥效有显著影响,投肥于中、 低肥力土壤既能实现养分高效利用又能获得较大经济效益。与20世纪80年代相比,氮肥利用效率明显降低,磷肥肥效基本不变,而钾肥肥效在快速提升。合理施肥与耕作、 栽培等多种措施相结合是旱区作物增产、 增收的有效途径。     

氮磷钾肥料对魔芋产量的影响效应研究

试验结果表明,平均1 kg N素增产鲜芋6.77 kg,平均1 kg K2O增产鲜芋8.0 kg。磷钾配合优于氮磷配合,氮磷钾配合最好。1 hm2施N量216 kg、施K2O 280 kg时,鲜芋产量最高。氮钾配合与磷钾配合都能提高魔芋生产的经济效益,但差于氮磷钾配合。1 hm2配合施用N 122 kg、P2O572 kg、K2O 147 kg的经济效益最佳。种植魔芋后各处理的土壤养分状况发生了重大变化,土壤有机质、碱解氮各处理均降低,施用钾肥较多的处理速效磷和速效钾增加。     

施肥对加工番茄生长发育和养分吸收利用的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了施肥对加工番茄生长发育和养分吸收利用的影响.结果表明,测土推荐施肥处理比不施肥处理增产57.0%,每公顷增收7588元.氮素对加工番茄产量贡献最大,其次是磷素和钾素.施肥不但可以影响加工番茄各个生育阶段的干物质积累和总的积累量,还可以影响干物质的分配比例及积累的趋势.施氮可以提高成熟期叶和茎中钾素的含量;施钾不但可以大幅度提高成熟期叶和茎中钾的含量,还可以提高果实中氮的含量.加工番茄吸收的养分50%以上都聚集在果实中,随采摘移出,容易造成土壤中氮钾养分的不足.因此,在今后氮钾肥的施用时应考虑后期补氮钾.测土推荐施肥处理加工番茄产量在91680 kg/hm2时,每形成1000kg果实产量的养分吸收量为N 3.28 kg、P2O50.58 kg、K2O 3.10 kg,N:P2O5:K2O为1:0.18:0.95.     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.