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Effects of Biodynamic, Organic and Conventional Production Systems on Earthworm Populations

Pfiffner, Lukas and Mäder, Paul (1997) Effects of Biodynamic, Organic and Conventional Production Systems on Earthworm Populations. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 15 (1-4), pp. 3-10.

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Document available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/.VCU6Ofl_tig#.VCU6RhburGo


Summary

In a long-term trial, the earthworm populations of two biological farming systems, two conventional systems and one control treatment were compared in a seven year crop rotation on a Luvisol from loess. The earthworms were investigated by handsorting at four dates during 1990-92. Nicodrilus longus (Ude), N. noctumus (Evans), N. caliginosus (Savigny) and Allolobophora rosea (Savigny) were the dominant earthworm species in all treatments. The earthworm biomass and density, the presence of anecic species, and the number of juveniles were significantly higher in the biological than in the conventional or unfertilized plots. In addition, more earthworm species were found in the biological plots. In this trial, plant protection management seems to be the main factor responsible for the differences in earthworm populations.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Department of Soil Scineces, Long-term Experiments, System comparison, earthworms, DOK-Versuch, DOK-Trial
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
earthworms
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_29109
Subjects: Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology
Research affiliation: Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Soil
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Sustainability > Biodiversity > Functional agrobiodiversity
Deposited By: Mäder, Paul
ID Code:26778
Deposited On:26 Sep 2014 11:09
Last Modified:31 Aug 2021 14:08
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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