IngentaConnect Interaction of Lumbricus terrestris L. burrows with field subdrai...

Authors: Nuutinen V.¹; Butt K.R.²

Source: Pedobiologia, Volume 47, Numbers 5-6, January 2004 , pp. 578-581(4)

Abstract:

The morphology of Lumbricus terrestris L. burrows was investigated in relation to subsurface tile drain position. The aim was to clarify the causes and consequences of higher densities of L. terrestris previously measured above the tiles at the study site. At two pairs of study pits, the plough layer was removed from a 1 m × 2 m area above the tile and at 8 m distance from it. Burrows of L. terrestris were identified at the plough pan, resident worms removed and burrows cast with dyed fibreglass resin. The resin casts were exposed in the profile, depth and length of casts measured and their connections with tiles recorded. In both above-tile pits, two cases were recorded where the cast burrow ended at the tile surface. These contacts indicate the potential importance of burrows in the conduction of water and solutes from the soil surface layers into the tiles. The mean depth of burrows was 1.0 m (se = 0.024, n = 27) above the tiles and 0.83 m (se = 0.036, n = 12) between the tiles. During adverse soil conditions such as droughts, individuals living near the tiles may gain from the shelter provided by their deeper burrows and this could partly explain the higher population densities above the tiles.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1078/0031-4056-00232

Affiliations: 1: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Soils and Environment, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland 2: University of Central Lancashire, Department of Environmental Management, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$29.89 plus tax

Interaction of Lumbricus terrestris L. burrows with field subdrains