The Impact of Cultivation Techniques on Earthworm Populations

Abstract

Earthworms are a vital constituent of the soil ecosystem and influence many soil properties and processes including structure, aeration and drainage. Intensive cultivations have been shown to affect earthworms directly through injury and fatalities and indirectly by changing their habitat, altering soil temperature, soil moisture and the availability of food. The encouragement of sustainable agriculture has resulted in increased interest and research into conservation tillage, a practise that allows earthworm populations to increase gradually in under-populated soils. Conservation tillage techniques when compared with conventional tillage utilising the mouldboard plough have been shown to have a positive impact on earthworm populations.