Earthworm populations are stable in temperate agricultural soils receiving wood-based biochar

The application of decomposable organic residues such as manure and crop litter is generally beneficial to earthworms. There is an emerging interest in applying biochar, a carbonaceous product of pyrolysis, to temperate agricultural soils. The slow decomposition rate of biochar, which also contains ash and combustion byproducts, could be detrimental to earthworms. The objective of this study was to describe the earthworm populations in biochar-amended soils on a dairy farm in the St. Francis River watershed, Quebec, Canada. Earthworms were collected from replicated field plots under cereal production. Site A received three wood-based biochar types at two application rates(5 and 10 t ha~(-1) biochar) plus an unamended control, while Site B received wood-based biochar(7.5 t ha~(-1) biochar), dairy cattle slurry(10 t ha~(-1) manure), or a combination of the biochar and manure rates plus an unamended control. Earthworms were collected by hand sorting and formaldehyde expulsion from soil pits. Three species, Aporrectodea turgida, Aporrectodea tuberculata, and Lumbricus rubellus, were found at the sites, and Aporrectodea was the dominant genus. Biochar sources, rates, and application with dairy slurry did not affect the earthworm population, which had 52–218 individuals m~(-2) in 2010 and 4–96 individuals m~(-2) in 2011. The seasonal variation in earthworm population may be due to flooding in the spring of 2011, which apparently interfered with earthworm reproduction. The similarity in earthworm abundance and biomass in plots with and without wood-based biochar leads to the conclusion that earthworm populations are stable in biochar-amended soils in this cold, humid temperate region.     

Earthworm populations in soils disturbed by trampling

Heavy trampling by livestock in pasture entrances considerably reduced earthworm density and biomass, as did behicular compaction on a human path through pasture. Surface species were most severely affected, whilst the deep burrowing Allolobophora longa proved particularly resistant. All species showed a downward shift in vertical distribution. A laboratory experiment demonstrated the great effectiveness of A. longa in ameliorating the effects of soil compaction. Earthworm population changes on trampling are likely to facilitate recovery of soil drainage once trampling ceases.     

Earthworm communities in grasslands and horticultural soils

 In a survey of 42 farm sites, comprising grassland and two types of horticultural farms (growing vegetables or flower bulbs), earthworm communities were sampled by hand-sorting and a number of soil physico-chemical characteristics recorded. For heavy metals the availability in the soil solution was estimated based on the measured absolute content. Abundance, biomass and species richness were significantly higher in grassland soils than in horticultural soils, and within the horticultural farms significantly higher in vegetable than in flower-bulb farms. No epigeic species were found in horticultural soils. The differences between the various farm types were probably related to the intensity of management practices, such as soil tillage, harvesting and crop protection measures, that result in less soil organic matter of lower quality. The data from the grassland farms were analyzed in conjunction with the physico-chemical soil characteristics, applying canonical correspondence analysis. Community parameters such as species richness and diversity apparently were not related to soil characteristics, but an appreciable part of the variation in abundance and biomass of several individual species could be explained by factors such as lutum content (particles <16 μm), pH, bio-availability of metal ions and geographical position of the sample site. It is concluded that repeated surveys of this type may become a valuable tool for monitoring soil quality. Received: 16 March 2000     

Earthworm community development in soils of a reclaimed steelworks

Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation. Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside, near Glasgow, UK, reclaimed in the 1990s using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge. The site was largely planted for production of short rotation coppice willow (Salix spp.). Earthworm inoculation formed a part of the restoration process. Minimal monitoring occurred in the interim, but some records of earthworm sampling existed in 2000 and 2005. This study focused on monitoring earthworms and soil properties across the site, drawing comparisons with adjacent unspoiled soil. Results showed that after 22 years, a species-rich community of earthworms (n=16) colonized the site, with endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa being dominant by number and anecic A. longa by mass. Across the site, earthworm community density and biomass were 208 individuals m^-2 and 71 g m^-2, respectively. The Shannon diversity index for earthworms was 1.89, with an evenness of 0.68. The sewage sludge increased the soil organic matter, but the stone content of the colliery spoil prevented digging in some locations. Soil chemistry had no negative effect on earthworms, but the compacted substrate did hinder water infiltration. Earthworms colonized the reclaimed site from adjacent areas, and community structure and density below well-drained, scrub-free willow, birch, and grassland were not significantly different (P>0.05) from those of the adjacent unspoiled areas. The results show that the historical earthworm inoculation was unnecessary and badly timed. Future reclamations of similar sites can learn from this investigation.     

Earthworm channels in cultivated clayey and loamy Norwegian soils

Studies of earthworm species and their activity, expressed as channels, on cultivated loamy (Humic Cryaquept) and clayey soils (Typic Endoaqualf and Typic Cryaquept) were conducted in southern and central Norway before conversion from conventional to organic cropping systems. At all the three study areas: Landvik (Grimstad), Voll (Ås) and Kvithamar (Stjørdal), the earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Allolobophora chlorotica and Lumbricus rubellus were found. At Landvik, where the deep-burrowing species Aporrectodea longa, A. caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris dominated, medium (4–6 mm) and coarse (>6 mm) earthworm channels were most numerous below the plough layer. Almost no coarse pores were found at Voll and Kvithamar. The volume of earthworm channels below the plough layer was 0.6–0.8% of total soil volume at Landvik and Voll and 0.3–0.4% at Kvithamar. Earthworm channels >6 mm below the plough layer were useful to identify present and previous activity of deep-burrowing earthworms such as L. terrestris. Below the plough layer, roots were almost entirely restricted to earthworm channels and interaggregate spaces.     

Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils

The water-stability of aggregates in many soils is shown to depend on organic materials. The organic binding agents have been classified into (a) transient, mainly polysaccharides, (b), temporary, roots and fungal hyphae, and (c) persistent, resistant aromatic components associated with polyvalent metal cations, and strongly sorbed polymers. The effectiveness of various binding agents at different stages in the structural organization of aggregates is described and forms the basis of a model which illustrates the architecture of an aggregate. Roots and hyphae stabilize macro-aggregates, defined as > 250 μm diameter; consequently, macroaggregation is controlled by soil management (i.e. crop rotations), as management influences the growth of plant roots, and the oxidation of organic carbon. The water-stability of micro-aggregates depends on the persistent organic binding agents and appears to be a characteristic of the soil, independent of management.     

Earthworm effects on selected physical and chemical properties of soil aggregates

Summary Some physical and chemical properties of 1-to 2-mm aggregates obtained from casts and the burrow-wall material of the earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea longa, and Aporrectodea caliginosa were determined in order to show the effects of earthworms on the stabilization of soil aggregates. The results were compared with those of the natural soil from the Ap horizon of a Parabraunerde (Luvisol, FAO). Both the tensile strength and the water stability of aggregates from casts and burrow-wall material were reduced compared with those of the natural aggregates but were increased compared with those of remoulded aggregates. These results indicate that to a great extent existing bonds are destroyed by earthworm ingestion. Nevertheless, earthworm activities are advantageous for the stabilization of reformed aggregates. The coarse sand fraction is reduced by selective ingestion by earthworms. The organic C content is increased by 4.1–21.0% for burrow-wall material and by 21.2–43.0% for casts. The carbonate content of aggregates from casts and burrow-wall material of L. terrestris was reduced by more than 50%, while that of A. longa showed no noticeable changes and that of A. caliginosa was increased by more than 60%. The total content of polysaccharides was increased by 35–87% for casts and by 33–46% for the burrow-wall material of all earthworm species. The most frequently detected monosaccharides were glucose, galactose, and glucosamine. L. terrestris appeared to have the strongest effect on the interparticle bonding of the reformed aggregates, measured both as tensile strength and water stability, followed by A. longa and A. caliginosa.     

Earthworm communities in temperate beech wood forest soils affected by liming

To monitor the effects of liming on forest ecosystems, experimental plots were installed in forests in mid-western Germany. In addition to soil chemical indices, earthworm communities were investigated on these plots about 15 years after first lime applications took place. As a “natural reference”, communities were compared to earthworm records that derived from a beech forest on limestone. In the non-acidified plots that had never been limed only epigeic earthworms were detected in small numbers and low species richness. Forest liming caused higher pH and a higher base saturation in the mineral topsoils. To a large extent, epigeic earthworm species seemed to benefit from this and had increased in number and biomass at all three different locations selected for the investigations. The epigeic dominated communities were completed by anecic Lumbricus terrestris that was rarely found in some of the samples from one location and a number of endogeic species that showed a very patchy distribution in limed plots. In contrast to this, the soil of the beech forest on limestone showed a different community composition. It was dominated by endogeic species in abundance and by anecic species in biomass. On limestone the total biomass of earthworms clearly exceeded the biomass values from all other plots. In conclusion, a long-term support of forest earthworm fauna due to liming was detected. This support was mainly effective for epigeic species, but in some cases for endogeic and anecic species, too.     

Earthworm functional groups are related to denitrifier activity in riparian soils

Riparian buffers, located in the transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, are a hotspot for nitrogen (N) removal through denitrification. Earthworms are abundant in riparian buffers and may enhance denitrification. This study investigated earthworm demographics of three earthworm functional groups (anecic, epigeic, and endogeic) and denitrifier activity in temporarily flooded and non-flooded riparian soils from April to October 2012 in southern Quebec, Canada. Nine earthworm species, mostly endogeic, were found in the temporarily flooded soil, while only six earthworm species were found in the non-flooded soil. On average, there were 11.7 times more earthworms with 12.4 times greater biomass (P<0.05) found in the temporarily flooded soil than in the non-flooded soil. The denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) was of similar magnitude in temporarily flooded and non-flooded soils, with temporal variation associated with rainfall patterns. Endogeic earthworm biomass was positively correlated (P<0.05) with DEA, while epigeic earthworm biomass was positively correlated (P<0.05) with 16S rRNA gene copies and nosZ gene copies from bacteria, indicating an association between earthworm functional groups and denitrifier activity in riparian soils. Stepwise multiple regressions showed that DEA in riparian soils could be predicted using soil moisture, inorganic N concentration, and earthworm functional groups, suggesting that endogeic and epigeic earthworms contributed to denitrifier activity in riparian soils.     

黑土轻组分C与团聚体水稳性的关系

To evaluate the role of kaolinite and variable charge soils on the hydrolytic reaction of Al, the hydrolysis of Al ions in suspensions of a kaolinite and an Oxisol influenced by organic anions was investigated using changes of pH, Al adsorption, and desorption of pre-adsorbed Al. Kaolinite and the Oxisol promoted the hydrolytic reaction of Al above a certain initial Al concentration （0.1 mmol L^-1 for kaolinite and 0.3 mmol L^-1 for the Oxisol）. The Al hydrolysis accelerated by kaolinite and the Oxisol increased with an increase in initial concentration of Al and was observed in the range of pH from 3.7 to 4.7 for kaolinite and 3.9 to 4.9 for the Oxisol. The acceleration of Al hydrolysis also increased with the increase of solution pH, reached a maximum value at pH 4.5, and then decreased sharply. Al hydrolysis was promoted mainly through selective adsorption for hydroxy-Al. Soil free iron oxides compensated a portion of the soil negative charge or masked some soil surface negative sites leading to a decrease in Al adsorption, which retarded acceleration to some extent. For the Oxisol organic anions increased the proportion of adsorbed Al^3＋ in total adsorbed Al with the increase in soil negative surface charge and eliminated or reduced the acceleration of Al hydrolysis. Different organic anions inhibited the hydrolysis of Al in the order： citrate 〉 oxalate 〉 acetate （under initial pH of 4.5）. The formation of Al-organic complexes in solution also inhibited the hydrolysis of Al.     

Earthworm surface casts affect soil erosion by runoff water and phosphorus transfer in a temperate maize crop

To test the hypothesis that earthworm surface casts contribute to soil erosion and nutrient transfers in a temperate maize crop, two rainfall experiments were set up. One was focused on the erodibility of earthworm casts, the second examined in how casts affect water runoff and nutrient transfers. Casts produced from anecic and endogeic earthworm species were both analyzed. Visual observations in the field showed no cast transport but only cast disintegration and transfers of particles. Erodibility of newly deposited casts was high and differed significantly between age groups. Cast erosion was significantly positively related to initial mass when young but not when old. The paradox is that despite a high cast abundance (25% of the area) and obvious cast erosion, amounts of sediment and nutrient losses (C, N and P) in the runoff were at least twice as high without, than in the presence of, surface casts. Earthworm activities were shown to act as a physical brake for soil erosion by (i) creating a surface roughness with the deposition of surface casts and (ii) reducing water runoff by associated enhanced water percolation. Once the breaking-down point of the physical resistance of casts was reached, all surface casts were quickly disintegrated and finally completely washed away. The amount of particulate phosphorus recovered in water runoff was 34.7 mg P m^{− 2}, while 128.5 mg P m^{− 2} was estimated to have been released from casts. The transfers were found to occur over a short-distance through successive deposition/suspension of soil particles in the water runoff.     

Characteristics and fertility constraints of degraded soils in Leyte,Philippines

Knowledge of the characteristics and fertility status of degraded soil is fundamental to planning suitable soil management strategies for crop production purposes. Such knowledge can be obtained through quantitative appraisal of soil properties and assessment of soil fertility status. Sixty soil samples were collected from five locations at Ormoc, Baybay, Bontoc, Bato and Matalom on the western side of Leyte island, Philippines. An important physical constraint in most of the soils is the high clay content, particularly in the soils of Baybay and Bato where it is a problem for cultivation. The strongly acidic and strongly alkaline pH, low available P and, in some cases, low exchangeable K are the chemical constraints. Variation in the physical and chemical constraints of these degraded soils is directly or indirectly related to the nature of the parent material, geomorphic position and anthropogenic effect. Soil fertility characteristics are distinct within similar soil types, primarily because they are related to the dominant soil-forming processes. Consideration of the soil physical and chemical constraints is essential for the long-term planning of soil management strategies that will lead to sustainable utilization of these problematic soils.     

Aggregation in soils with small amounts of swelling clays. II. Chemistry and surface properties of Na resin stable soil aggregates

Stable aggregates of soils with small amounts of swelling clays were characterized after 16 h shaking with Na resin. Different kinds of organic material operate at various levels of micro-aggregate size, being more aromatic in the coarser aggregates and combined with poorly-ordered Al and Fe hydrous oxides.
Effects on aggregate surface properties are described. For each size of resin stable aggregate, the mesopore volume increased with both increasing aggregating organic materials and poorly-ordered Al and Fe hydrous oxides.     

接种蚯蚓对加入不同植物残体土壤微生物特性的影响

通过室内试验,研究不同类型土壤和植物残体施用下接种蚯蚓对土壤微生物群落组成及活性的影响,为将蚯蚓引入农田及水土流失区提供理论依据。供试土壤为黏粒含量较低的灰潮土和黏粒含量较高的典型红壤,供试植物残体为高碳氮比的玉米秸秆和低碳氮比的三叶草,供试蚯蚓为体型较大的威廉腔环蚓(Metaphire guillelmi)。结果表明:接种蚯蚓对微生物量碳(MBC)无显著影响;不同土壤无论是否施用植物残体,接种蚯蚓均使土壤基础呼吸(BR)显著增大,尤其是不施用植物残体时;两种土壤中不施用植物残体和施用三叶草时,接种蚯蚓均使代谢熵(qCO2)增大,而施用玉米秸秆接种蚯蚓使qCO2有下降趋势。Biolog孔平均颜色变化(AWCD)在接种蚯蚓时均增大,基质利用丰富度(S)和多样性指数(H)也增大,且未施用秸秆时的变化较为明显;主成分分析(PCA)表明接种蚯蚓后土壤微生物群落组成与结构发生了明显变化。土壤微生物群落特性变化受蚯蚓、土壤及植物残体间交互作用的影响。     

Activities of extracellular enzymes in physically isolated fractions of restored grassland soils

Extracellular enzymes degrade complex organic compounds and contribute to carbon turnover in soils. We used physical fractionation procedures to investigate whether soil carbon is spatially isolated from degradative enzymes across a prairie restoration chronosequence in Illinois, USA. We found that carbon-degrading enzymes were abundant in all soil fractions, including macroaggregates, microaggregates, and the clay-sized fraction. The activities of two cellulose-degrading enzymes and a chitin-degrading enzyme were 2-10 times greater in particulate organic matter (POM) fractions than in bulk soil, consistent with the rapid turnover of POM fractions. Polyphenol oxidase activity in the clay-sized fraction was 3 times that in the bulk soil, despite a higher mean residence time for carbon in the clay-sized fraction. For most enzymes, differences in activity among fractions and across the restoration chronosequence diminished when adjusted for differences in carbon concentrations. However, glycine aminopeptidase activity per unit carbon increased four-fold across the chronosequence in the clay fraction, while polyphenol oxidase activity declined by 40%. These results suggest that enzyme production and carbon turnover occur rapidly in POM fractions, but slowly in mineral-dominated fractions where enzymes and their carbon substrates are immobilized on mineral surfaces. Soil carbon accumulation in mineral fractions and across the prairie restoration chronosequence probably reflects increasing physical isolation of enzymes and substrates on the molecular to micron scale, rather than exclusion of enzymes from entire soil fractions. Based on these mechanisms, land managers could increase soil C stocks by reducing the physical disruption of soil structure associated with cultivation.     

接种丛枝菌根真菌对土壤水稳性团聚体特征的影响

为了研究接种丛枝菌根真菌对土壤团聚体特征的影响,采用盆栽试验,以小麦(Triticum aestivuml)为宿主植物,在两个不同供磷水平条件下,分别接种丛枝菌根真菌Glomus intraradices和Glomus mosseae,收获后分析土壤团聚体数量、分布和分形维数,并运用通径分析对不同作用因子进行统计。结果看出,与对照相比,接种丛枝菌根真菌显著提高了土壤中有机质含量、球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量,土壤水稳性大团聚体数量也显著增加。接种处理提高了土壤的平均重量直径、几何平均直径,而且降低了土壤分形维数。通径分析表明,在影响土壤水稳性大团聚体的众多因子中,菌丝密度具有最大的作用,且以直接作用为主;有机质和球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白也表现出较大的作用。接种G. mosseae对改良土壤结构的作用优于接种G. intraradices。     

Organic matter and wetting capacity distribution in aggregates of Chilean soils

The wetting capacity of Hapludands and Palehumults under grassland and forest in southern Chile was assessed by measuring contact angles of solid, water and air interfaces. Microaggregates obtained from natural aggregates of two sizes (4–6.3 and 10–12 mm) were spread onto microscope slides and drops of saturated aqueous KCl solution were placed on the surface of the aggregates. The wetting angles of the drops were measured with a microscope with a horizontal viewing direction and an ocular containing a goniometer. The wetting capacity was determined on layers peeled progressively from the walls of aggregates toward their centres, and the organic matter content of the different aggregate layers was determined. The water stability of the aggregates was measured by dry and wet sieving. Hapludands always showed greater hydrophobicity than Palehumults. The wetting resistance of the soil matrix samples was less than that of the single layers of aggregates. The wetting resistance of aggregates generally increased from the exterior to their centre. The increase was strongest in the topsoil under grassland. Smaller aggregates under both grassland and forest showed a greater hydrophobicity than larger ones. Organic matter content increased towards the aggregate interiors, especially in the fine aggregates. Aggregates with greater water repellence were more stable to dry and wet sieving, especially under forest. Therefore, intensive management decreases wetting resistance and makes the soil less stable.     

黑土开垦后水稳性团聚体与土壤养分的关系

Water-stable aggregates, which are an index for the evaluation of the structural properties of the soil, are affected by many factors. Zhaoguang Farm, Longzhen Farm, and Jiusan Farm were chosen as the representative study sites in the region of black soils, a typical soil resource in Northeast China. The variation in the content of 〉 0.25 mm water-stable aggregates and its relationship with the nutrients in black soil were investigated after different years of reclamation. The results showed that the 〉 0.25 mm water-stable aggregates were more in the surface than in the subsurface soil and they changed in the following order： Longzhen Farm 〉 Zhaoguang Farm 〉 Jiusan Farm. The water-stable aggregates decreased sharply at the initial stage of reclamation and then became stable gradually with time. They were significantly correlated with the contents of organic C, total N, total P, and CEC in black soil, with the correlation coefficients r being 0.76, 0.68, 0.61, and 0.81 （P 〈 0.01）, respectively; however, their relationships with available P, available K, and total K were unclear. These showed that organic matter was the cementation of soil water-stable aggregates. Increasing decompositions and decreasing inputs of organic matter after reclamation were responsible for the amount of reduction of the water-stable aggregates. Thus, to maintain good soil aggregate structure, attention should be paid to improvement of soil nutrient status, especially the supply of organic C and N.     

Equilibrating stable Cd isotopes with acidic soils

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) in the soil solution is in dynamic equilibrium with the reservoir of bioavailable Cd attached to the solid phase, i.e. the labile pool (Cd_E). Traditionally, Cd_E is estimated using the radioisotope ¹⁰⁹Cd, which has severely restricted access to estimates of Cd_E. Using stable isotope dilution and isotope ratio measurement by inductive coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectroscopy (ICP-QMS) would increase access to estimates of Cd_E; however, detail remains scant about the optimal conditions for equilibration and measurement. We report optimal conditions for spiking with ¹¹⁰Cd, batch equilibration and ICP-QMS measurement of the ratio of ¹¹⁰Cd to ¹¹¹Cd using results for six acidic soils with total Cd concentrations of 0.19–6.4 mg Cd kg^?1, suspended in three background electrolytes (10 mM CaCl₂, 1 M NH₄NO₃, and 1 M NH₄Cl). Our optimised procedure produces robust estimates of Cd_E. Application of this approach will greatly increase access to estimates of Cd_E and to the investigation of its role in Cd uptake by plants.