打顶后喷施油菜素内酯和生长素对烤烟田间生长、碳氮代谢及烟叶品质的影响

通过田间试验研究了打顶后喷施油菜素内酯(BR)和生长素(IAA)对烤烟田间生长、碳氮代谢及烟叶品质的影响。试验共设置6个处理,分别为:T1,清水;T2,10 mg?kg?1 BR;T3,10 mg?kg?1 IAA;T4,20 mg?kg?1 IAA;T5,10 mg?kg?1 IAA+10 mg?kg?1 BR;T6,20 mg?kg?1 IAA+10 mg?kg?1 BR。在打顶当天、打顶后15 d和30 d时测定烟株顶部5片烟叶的叶面积和各部位的干物质重,在打顶当天、打顶后10 d、20 d、30 d时测定烟株碳氮代谢关键酶的活性。结果表明:1)打顶后喷施油菜素内酯和生长素能不同程度地促进上部烟叶开片,促进烟株根系生长,提高上部烟叶的产量,且以二者同时喷施时效果较好;2)除对照处理外,各处理的硝酸还原酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶活性均表现为先升高后降低,蔗糖转化酶和淀粉酶活性均表现为先降低后略微升高的变化趋势,说明打顶后喷施油菜素内酯和生长素能增强烟株的碳氮代谢强度,但在一定程度上推迟了烟叶成熟落黄时期,延长了生育期;3)打顶后喷施油菜素内酯和生长素可以有效提高烟叶钾含量、钾氯比、有机钾指数,并降低中、上部烟叶的烟碱和氯含量,且以对上部叶的作用效果最为明显,以二者同时施用时作用效果最好;4)处理T6(20 mg?kg?1 IAA+10 mg?kg?1 BR)促进烟株生长和提高烟叶品质的效果最佳,能使上部烟叶的钾含量、钾氯比、有机钾指数相对于对照T1分别提高40.9%、68.5%和0.524,使氯含量和烟碱分别降低16.2%和16.3%。总的来看,打顶后喷施油菜素内酯和生长素可以促进烟株生长,增强碳氮代谢,提高烟叶钾含量、钾氯比和有机钾指数,降低烟碱和氯含量,进而提高烟叶的产质量。     

赤霉素与钾肥互作对烤烟生理指标及上部叶化学成分的影响

为探究赤霉素与钾肥互作对烤烟烟叶生理及上部叶化学成分的影响,本研究以云烟87为试验材料,于打顶当天叶面喷施赤霉素(GA_3)并根部追施钾肥,分析不同配比用量的赤霉素与钾肥互作对烤烟上部叶叶面积、烟叶抗氧化酶活性、碳氮代谢酶活性及上部叶化学成分的影响。结果表明,赤霉素与钾肥互作可显著促进上部叶片的开片,与钾肥相比,赤霉素作用效果更为明显。赤霉素与钾肥互作处理下超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性随着生育期延长变化基本一致均显著高于CK,表明两者互作有效增强了烟叶抗逆和抗衰老能力,促进了烟叶生长和成熟。赤霉素与钾肥互作下烟叶碳氮代谢酶活性始终高于CK,且在不同时期酶活变化一致,说明两者交互处理能增强烟株的碳氮代谢强度,有利于烟叶内在品质生成。赤霉素与钾肥互作能够不同程度地提高烟叶钾含量、钾氯比,降低烟碱和氯含量,协调各化学成分,改善烟叶品质。与较低水平的赤霉素与钾肥互作处理相比,较高水平的互作处理对烟叶抗氧化酶活性及品质的影响更为明显,其中以20 mg·kg~(-1)GA_3+10 kg K_2SO_4·666.7m~(-2)处理对叶片开片、抗氧化酶和碳氮代谢酶活性的提高及烟叶品质的改善效果最好。本研究为优质烤烟上部叶生产及其调控工作提供了理论依据。     

不同施氮条件对烤烟打顶前后代谢及物质积累的影响

采用大田试验研究了不同施氮条件对烤烟打顶前后碳氮代谢、苯丙烷类代谢关键酶活性及其相关物质积累的影响。结果表明: 不施氮下(N0), 打顶前烟叶碳氮代谢关键酶活性较低, 而苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性却较高, 这使得光合固定的碳优先向蔗糖、淀粉、多酚类积累; 单施化肥下(N1), 烟叶碳氮代谢关键酶活性高于N0处理, 但氮代谢强度大, 烟叶固定的碳较早地向烟碱积累, 色素含量高; 加施饼肥下(N2), 烟叶碳氮代谢关键酶活性高, 但代谢协调, 淀粉积累推迟, 色素含量较高, 而多酚类、烟碱积累量均处于N0与N1处理之间。烟株打顶后, 烟叶在短期内各关键酶活性都增强, 但其改变程度不一致, 烟叶内含物重新分配, 游离氨、色素含量递减, 而烟碱含量逐渐积累, N2处理烟碱含量最高。这说明施氮条件影响烟株碳氮代谢的协调程度, 影响烟叶物质积累的流向。因此, 通过控制施氮条件可以改变烟叶的代谢流向以至改变烟叶的质量风格特征。     

黄腐酸对植烟土壤改良及烟叶品质的影响研究

以云烟97为研究对象,通过大田试验,于2014年研究了不同黄腐酸施用量对植烟土壤改良及烟叶品质的影响。结果表明:施用黄腐酸提高了土壤速效磷、速效钾、碱解氮、有机质、土壤微生物生物量碳、土壤微生物生物量氮含量,并促进土壤中三大菌落的繁殖,但施用黄腐酸对土壤微生物多样性促进效果不明显;黄腐酸促进了烟株根系发育,提高了烟株根系体积,干、鲜重;烟株根系有随黄腐酸施用量增加而增加的趋势;施用黄腐酸降低了烤后烟叶两糖含量,适当提高了烟叶氯离子含量和钾离子含量,但有增加烟叶烟碱含量的趋势;施用化肥配施1200 kg hm-2黄腐酸的处理提升土壤微生物量碳、量氮的效果最好,烟叶协调性相对较好;施用化肥配施1800 kg hm-2黄腐酸的处理对土壤肥力的提升效果最好。     

不同来源氮素在烤烟体内的累积分配及对烟叶品质的影响

通过在云南省玉溪市赵桅村6组烟田（A）和赵桅实验基地（B）进行的大田15N示踪试验,研究了在不施氮和施氮90 kg/hm2条件下,水稻土烤烟干物质累积特征、肥料氮和土壤氮的吸收和分配及肥料氮和土壤氮对烟叶品质的影响。结果表明,施氮能显著提高烟株干物重,增加烟株吸氮量,但在生育后期施氮与不施氮处理,烟株均存在干物质和氮素累积过多问题。施氮90 kg/hm2情况下,烟株整个生育期中吸收的氮素主要来自于土壤氮,而且烟株吸收的土壤氮及其占总吸氮量的比例随生育期延长和烟叶着生部位的升高显著增加;到采收结束时,两试验田烟株吸收的土壤氮占总吸氮量的比例分别达69%和74%。不同施氮水平烟叶品质差异较大,不施氮处理各部位烟叶总氮和烟碱含量均偏低,糖碱比不协调;施氮处理各部位烟叶总氮含量均在适宜范围内,但由于烟株生育后期土壤供氮较多,上部烟叶存在烟碱含量偏高的问题。选择有机质含量适宜的土壤,控制烟株生育后期土壤供氮量,对降低上部烟叶总氮和烟碱含量,提高我国烟叶整体质量至关重要。     

烤烟缓释肥料对烟株根系和光合特性的影响

试验研究了烟草缓释肥料对烟株根系活力、叶片光合特性、烟株干物质积累以及产量和产值的影响.结果表明,施用烟草缓释肥料可显著提高烟株根系活力、叶片叶绿素含量和净光合速率以及烟株干物质的积累,降低胞间CO2浓度,其中以每株施用45.45 g 烟草缓释肥料的效果最好,其次为每株施用38.63 g烟草缓释肥料.施用烟草缓释肥料能提高烟叶的产量和产值,减少烟草缓释肥料用量的处理虽然降低了烟叶产量,但因改善烟叶品质而提高其产值,缓释肥料对烟叶产值的影响以每株施用38.63 g烟草缓释肥料处理效果最好.     

干旱胁迫下氮用量对烤烟养分积累与分配及烟叶产量和品质的影响

采用盆栽试验研究了干旱胁迫下氮用量对烤烟(Nicotiana.Tabacum.L.)养分的积累与分配及烟叶产量和品质的影响。结果表明,在干旱胁迫下随氮用量增加,烟株体内N、P、K、Mn含量显著增加,Ca、Mg、Fe含量明显减少,烟株对各种养分的积累量都显著增大。氮用量还影响烟株体内养分的分配,随施氮量增大,伸根期干旱烟株体内大多数养分在根和茎中的分配比例增加,在叶中的分配比例减少;旺长期和成熟期干旱时则相反。在干旱条件下增加氮用量可以提高烟叶产量和总氮、烟碱含量,降低烟叶还原糖含量。     

机械损伤对烤烟植株氮素吸收及体内烟碱含量的影响

采用砂培和营养液培养方法,研究了在营养生长阶段切除顶芽和叶片损伤对烟株生长、体内烟碱浓度、氮浓度及吸氮量的影响。结果表明,切除顶芽导致烟株体内烟碱浓度和含量显著增加。叶片损伤也能增加体内的烟碱浓度,且损伤二次比损伤一次的效果更为明显,说明叶面损伤对烟株体内烟碱合成的影响具有累积效应。但叶面损伤对烟株体内烟碱合成的影响小于打顶处理。切除顶芽和叶面损伤对烟株体内的氮浓度及吸氮量均无显著影响,但显著提高了烟株体内单位氮素产生烟碱的能力。试验结果还表明,机械损伤刺激烟株体内烟碱的合成,烟碱增加与氮素吸收无直接关系。     

摘除不适用叶与喷施微肥对烤烟上部叶生理特性及产质量的影响

为优化烤后烟叶的等级结构,提高上部烟叶的工业可用性和烤烟生产效益,以烤烟"豫烟6号"品种为材料,采用田间试验研究了摘除下部6片不适用叶与喷施微肥对烤烟上部叶农艺性状、光合特性、碳氮代谢、烤后烟叶化学成分及经济性状的影响。结果表明,与不摘除下部不适用叶和摘除下部4片不适用叶相比,摘除下部6片不适用叶显著提高了上部烟叶叶面积、叶绿素含量、光合性能、碳氮代谢强度、总氮和烟碱含量,降低了还原糖含量、糖碱比及烤烟产值。与仅摘除下部6片不适用叶相比,摘除下部6片不适用叶条件下喷施微肥进一步促进了烤烟上部叶的生长,显著增加了烤后烟叶的还原糖含量、糖碱比、钾含量和烤烟产值,显著降低了上部叶烟碱含量。摘除下部6片不适用叶联合喷施微肥较不摘除下部不适用叶处理,上部叶叶面积、单叶重、钾含量、钾氯比和上中等烟比例分别提高了10.66%、16.49%、13.43%、18.27%和15.00%。总体来看,摘除下部6片不适用叶联合喷施微肥能促进上部叶开片,提高烤后烟叶的等级结构,改善上部烟叶的品质,增加烤烟的经济效益。     

肥料~(15)N对烟叶氮和烟碱含量的影响

利用15N示踪技术在黄壤烟区研究了烤烟不同部位烟叶氮和烟碱含量的变化及肥料氮在烟碱中的分配。结果表明,不施氮肥的情况下,烟株第10片以上烟叶烟碱含量达到3.54%;施氮量为97.5kghm-2时,10片以上烟叶烟碱含量达到4.13%以上。烟碱积累在整个生育期是呈不断增加的趋势,于移栽后7周内积累较少,烟碱积累主要集中在9～15周,到烟叶采收结束17周为122.55kghm-2。烟叶进入成熟期后,烟碱含量与各部位烟叶来自土壤氮素比例呈正相关,其中与上部烟叶相关系数达0.88。烟碱总氮中来自肥料氮于下部、中部和上部烟叶分别占28.31%,26.63%和25.45%;相应构成烟碱的氮素中,下、中、上部烟叶中有来自土壤氮分别为71.69%、73.37%和74.55%。追肥氮占施氮总量30%条件下,烟碱中氮来自追肥氮在下、中和上部烟叶分别占14.25%、15.30%和14.94%,追肥氮是烟叶烟碱总氮主要氮源。     

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.