Lumbricus terrestris middens are biological and chemical hotspots in a minimum tillage arable ecosystem

Jacqueline L. Stroud; Daisy E. Irons; Joanna E. Carter; Chris W. Watts; Philip J. Murray; Stuart L. Norris; Andrew P. Whitmore

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.03.019

Lumbricus terrestris middens are biological and chemical hotspots in a minimum tillage arable ecosystem

Jacqueline L. Stroud^*, Daisy E. Irons, Joanna E. Carter, Chris W. Watts, Philip J. Murray, Stuart L. Norris, Andrew P. Whitmore

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The biological (macrofauna and mesofauna), physical (size) and chemical (nutrient availability) properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens were studied on a minimum tillage field trial amended with farmyard manure, compost or unamended treatments. Results showed that herbivorous-type interactions with wheat crop leaves were common. Midden microhabitats containing these fresh leaves were significantly enhanced by up to 2.8-fold in mesofauna (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes) abundance. Midden microhabitats on plots amended with farmyard manure had significantly (p < 0.05) more endogeic earthworms than compost amended or control plots. Further, middens found on farmyard manure amended plots were significantly (p < 0.05) larger, being twice the size (20.6 ± 1.7 g dry weight) of middens found on compost or control plots, demonstrating that farmyard manure improves midden microhabitat size and quality. Middens were enriched in extractable plant nutrients including P, K, S and Mn.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	31-35
Number of pages	5
Journal	Applied Soil Ecology
Volume	105
Early online date	14 Apr 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.03.019
Publication status	Print publication - Sept 2016
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Earthworm
Farmyard manure
Midden
Mintill
Wheat

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10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.03.019

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title = "Lumbricus terrestris middens are biological and chemical hotspots in a minimum tillage arable ecosystem",

abstract = "The biological (macrofauna and mesofauna), physical (size) and chemical (nutrient availability) properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens were studied on a minimum tillage field trial amended with farmyard manure, compost or unamended treatments. Results showed that herbivorous-type interactions with wheat crop leaves were common. Midden microhabitats containing these fresh leaves were significantly enhanced by up to 2.8-fold in mesofauna (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes) abundance. Midden microhabitats on plots amended with farmyard manure had significantly (p < 0.05) more endogeic earthworms than compost amended or control plots. Further, middens found on farmyard manure amended plots were significantly (p < 0.05) larger, being twice the size (20.6 ± 1.7 g dry weight) of middens found on compost or control plots, demonstrating that farmyard manure improves midden microhabitat size and quality. Middens were enriched in extractable plant nutrients including P, K, S and Mn.",

keywords = "Earthworm, Farmyard manure, Midden, Mintill, Wheat",

author = "Stroud, {Jacqueline L.} and Irons, {Daisy E.} and Carter, {Joanna E.} and Watts, {Chris W.} and Murray, {Philip J.} and Norris, {Stuart L.} and Whitmore, {Andrew P.}",

year = "2016",

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doi = "10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.03.019",

language = "English",

volume = "105",

pages = "31--35",

journal = "Applied Soil Ecology",

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AU - Stroud, Jacqueline L.

AU - Irons, Daisy E.

AU - Carter, Joanna E.

AU - Watts, Chris W.

AU - Murray, Philip J.

AU - Norris, Stuart L.

AU - Whitmore, Andrew P.

PY - 2016/9

Y1 - 2016/9

N2 - The biological (macrofauna and mesofauna), physical (size) and chemical (nutrient availability) properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens were studied on a minimum tillage field trial amended with farmyard manure, compost or unamended treatments. Results showed that herbivorous-type interactions with wheat crop leaves were common. Midden microhabitats containing these fresh leaves were significantly enhanced by up to 2.8-fold in mesofauna (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes) abundance. Midden microhabitats on plots amended with farmyard manure had significantly (p < 0.05) more endogeic earthworms than compost amended or control plots. Further, middens found on farmyard manure amended plots were significantly (p < 0.05) larger, being twice the size (20.6 ± 1.7 g dry weight) of middens found on compost or control plots, demonstrating that farmyard manure improves midden microhabitat size and quality. Middens were enriched in extractable plant nutrients including P, K, S and Mn.

AB - The biological (macrofauna and mesofauna), physical (size) and chemical (nutrient availability) properties of Lumbricus terrestris middens were studied on a minimum tillage field trial amended with farmyard manure, compost or unamended treatments. Results showed that herbivorous-type interactions with wheat crop leaves were common. Midden microhabitats containing these fresh leaves were significantly enhanced by up to 2.8-fold in mesofauna (springtails, enchytraeidae, mites, millipedes) abundance. Midden microhabitats on plots amended with farmyard manure had significantly (p < 0.05) more endogeic earthworms than compost amended or control plots. Further, middens found on farmyard manure amended plots were significantly (p < 0.05) larger, being twice the size (20.6 ± 1.7 g dry weight) of middens found on compost or control plots, demonstrating that farmyard manure improves midden microhabitat size and quality. Middens were enriched in extractable plant nutrients including P, K, S and Mn.

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KW - Mintill

KW - Wheat

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ER -

Lumbricus terrestris middens are biological and chemical hotspots in a minimum tillage arable ecosystem

Abstract

Keywords

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