Simon, Barbara; Boziné Pullai, Krisztina; Selmeczi, Dóra; Sebők, András; Tóthné Bogdányi, Franciska; Weldmichael, Tsedekech G.; Zalai, Mihály; Nsima, Justine Phenson and Tóth, Ferenc (2022) Green Corridors May Sustain Habitats for Earthworms in A Partially Converted Grassland. Agronomy, 12 (4), p. 793.
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Summary in the original language of the document
Permanent grasslands provide a healthy and undisturbed environment. We investigated how mulching altered the soil physicochemical parameters, earthworm abundance, biomass, species composition and vegetation cover compared to grassland and cultivated alfalfa field. Microplots (2 × 2 m) were mulched with either weed control fabric (WF) alone or WF combined with straw (WF + S) on a grassland to grow tomato in Ősagárd (Nógrád county, Hungary) between 2018 and 2021. We had two other microhabitats: a conventionally cultivated alfalfa field (CA) and grassland (GR). We measured soil parameters (physical: soil moisture content (SMC), soil penetration resistance (SPR); chemical: pH, soil organic matter; and biological: earthworm abundance, biomass, species composition and vegetation). SMC was significantly higher on covered plots (WF; WF + S) compared to CA and GR. SPR values were the highest in CA and GR at 20 cm depth. The abundance and biomass of earthworms were the highest in GR and lowest in CA in all seasons. Plant abundance was highly influenced by season and habitat. Despite the higher compaction and lower SMC figures, grass vegetation still provided a more suitable environment for earthworms than mulched plots (WF, WF + S). Therefore, where there is agricultural production on grassland, we suggest leaving uncultivated and uncovered patches as biodiversity corridors.
EPrint Type: | Journal paper |
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Keywords: | grassland conversion; agronomical alternative; biodiversity; soil quality; Allolobophora chlorotica; Aporrectodea rosea; Aporrectodea caliginosa |
Agrovoc keywords: | Language Value URI English grassland management http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3364 English agronomic practices http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_330610 English biodiversity http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33949 English Allolobophora http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_30864 English Aporrectodea caliginosa http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36009 |
Subjects: | Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services Environmental aspects > Landscape and recreation |
Research affiliation: | Hungary > Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture |
DOI: | 10.3390/agronomy12040793 |
Deposited By: | Csajbók, Edit |
ID Code: | 44769 |
Deposited On: | 01 Dec 2022 16:18 |
Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2022 16:18 |
Document Language: | English |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
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