Tuesday, 8 November 2005
7

Earthworm Activities in Bahiagrass/Peanut/Cotton Cropping Systems.

Dallas L. Hartzog1, Tawainga W. Katsvairo2, DavidL. Wright2, Jim J. Marois2, Jimmy R. Rich2, and Pawel J. Wiatrak2. (1) Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, 167 East Alabama HWY 134, Headland, AL 32351, (2) North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351

Farmers are being encouraged to adopt diverse cropping systems. Diverse cropping systems promote greater and more diverse soil fauna and flora. Numerous and diverse soil fauna including microbial species, beneficial arthropods and earthworms are essential for the productivity of agroecosystems. Studies were conducted in Headland, AL and Quincy FL, in 2005 to evaluate earthworm species and activities in bahiagrass based peanut/cotton cropping system vs. the traditional peanut/cotton cropping system. The sod rotation had greater earthworm densities than the conventional systems at both sites. So far, identification of the Microscolex phosphoreus (Acanthodrilidae), Amynthas loveridgei (Megascolecidae), Amynthas cortices and Diplocardia eiseni has been made at the Florida site and Aporrectodea trapezoides (Lumbricidae) and Ocnerodrilus occidentalis (Ocnerodrilidae) species were found at the Headland site. The higher earthworms population densities in the sod rotation increased infiltration at both sites. Earthworms are also known to increase aggregate stability, water holding, aeration and reduce surface crusting.

Back to Sustainable Cropping Systems: From Earthworms to Mapping Local Food Capacity
Back to A08 Integrated Agricultural Systems

Back to The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (November 6-10, 2005)