Earthworm populations are stable in temperate agricultural soils receiving wood-based biochar

Earthworm consumption and egestion of organic materials can increase bioavailable nitrogen in soils. Along with other benefits resulting from their burrowing activities, this process can increase soil fertility. This research investigated whether earthworms were present, and whether a relationship between earthworms and increased ammonium and nitrate levels was seen in the soils of the agricultural green roofs sampled in the greater Toronto area. Earthworms were found at several of the agricultural green roofs, but low soil moisture, low organic carbon, shallow depth, and compactness may have inhibited the establishment of earthworm populations in some soils. Results showed a statistically significant increase in levels of ammonium, but not in nitrate, with the increasing presence of earthworms. Findings indicate that some degree of increased bioavailable nitrogen benefits, resulting from earthworm presence, that are evident in conventional agricultural soils, can also be possible in agricultural green roofs, with attention to management of soil conditions that support earthworm populations.

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Earthworm Populations In Agricultural Green Roofs And Their Influence On Soil Nitrogen, Greater Toronto Area

10.32920/ryerson.14656515.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Caitlin Victoria Santos

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Nitrogen ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Green Roofs ◽

Shallow Depth ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Greater Toronto Area ◽

Earthworm Populations

Earthworm consumption and egestion of organic materials can increase bioavailable nitrogen in soils. Along with other benefits resulting from their burrowing activities, this process can increase soil fertility. This research investigated whether earthworms were present, and whether a relationship between earthworms and increased ammonium and nitrate levels was seen in the soils of the agricultural green roofs sampled in the greater Toronto area. Earthworms were found at several of the agricultural green roofs, but low soil moisture, low organic carbon, shallow depth, and compactness may have inhibited the establishment of earthworm populations in some soils. Results showed a statistically significant increase in levels of ammonium, but not in nitrate, with the increasing presence of earthworms. Findings indicate that some degree of increased bioavailable nitrogen benefits, resulting from earthworm presence, that are evident in conventional agricultural soils, can also be possible in agricultural green roofs, with attention to management of soil conditions that support earthworm populations.

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Use of Paper-mill Wastes on Agricultural Soils: Is This a Way to Reduce Nitrate Leaching?

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B - Soil & Plant Science ◽

10.1080/09064710310003925 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 56-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Holger Kirchmann ◽

Lars Bergström

Keyword(s):

Nitrate Leaching ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Paper Mill

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Examination of NOxand CO2production in agricultural soils

Cereal Research Communications ◽

10.1556/crc.35.2007.2.131 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 689-692 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krisztina Kristóf ◽

Györgyi Kampfl ◽

György Heltai ◽

Erika Nótás ◽

Abdousalam Algaidi

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Soils

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Modeling and Analysis of Effective Electromagnetic Parameters of Capillary System of Agricultural Soils Electric Conductivity. Low-Frequency Resonances in Empty Cylinders of Circular Section with Ideal Surface Conductivity Along Helices

Journal of Automation and Information Sciences ◽

10.1615/jautomatinfscien.v50.i10.60 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (10) ◽

pp. 77-83

Author(s):

Alexander A. Brovarets ◽

Yuriy V. Chovnyuk

Keyword(s):

Electric Conductivity ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Surface Conductivity ◽

Electromagnetic Parameters ◽

Circular Section ◽

Modeling And Analysis ◽

Capillary System

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Compressive response of some agricultural soils influenced by the mineralogy and moisture

International Agrophysics ◽

10.2478/v10247-012-0091-x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 239-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

A.E. Ajayi ◽

M.S. Dias Junior ◽

N. Curi ◽

I. Oladipo

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Soils ◽

Tropical Soils ◽

Homogeneity Test ◽

Confined Compression ◽

Moisture Retention ◽

Soil Mineralogy ◽

Undisturbed Soil ◽

Statistical Homogeneity ◽

Compressive Response ◽

Fine Clay

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the mineralogy, moisture retention, and the compressive response of two agricultural soils from South West Nigeria. Undisturbed soil cores at the A and B horizons were collected and used in chemical and hydrophysical characterization and confined compression test. X-ray diffractograms of oriented fine clay fractions were also obtained. Our results indicate the prevalence of kaolinite minerals relating to the weathering process in these tropical soils. Moisture retention by the core samples was typically low with pre-compression stress values ranging from50 to 300 kPa at both sites. Analyses of the shape of the compression curves highlight the influence of soil moisture in shifts from the bi-linear to S-shaped models. Statistical homogeneity test of the load bearing capacity parameters showed that the soil mineralogy influences the response to loading by these soils. These observations provide a physical basis for the previous classification series of the soils in the studied area. We showed that the internal strength attributes of the soil could be inferred from the mineralogical properties and stress history. This could assist in decisions on sustainable mechanization in a datapoor environment.

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