Different organic mulch materials affect the abundance of enchytraeids in an open-field experiment

Authors

  • Renáta Petrikovszki Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Plant Protection Institute, Department of Integrated Plant Protection, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1., Gödöllo, Hungary
  • Fanni Bárányos Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Department of Zoology and Ecology, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1.
  • Amelita Gerda Molnár Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Department of Zoology and Ecology, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1.
  • Ferenc Tóth Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Department of Zoology and Ecology, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1.
  • Gergely Boros Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Department of Zoology and Ecology, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18380/SZIE.COLUM.2021.8.1.13

Keywords:

Annelids, compost, leaf litter, potworm, straw

Abstract

Organic mulch may provide favourable soil conditions e.g. soil moisture or organic matter content, which may enhance the number of enchytraeids. However, there is no sufficient information about the relationship between plant-based mulch and this beneficial soil animal group. Therefore, an open-field experiment was conducted with tomato as a test plant to examine the effect of different types of organic mulch materials on the natural occurence of enchytraeids. Our study microplots received the following treatments: 1) yard-waste compost, 2) walnut leaf litter, 3) mixed leaf litter without walnut and 4) wheat straw. Control microplots were left unmulched. Randomized block design was used with eight replications to the treatments and four to the control. At the end of the growing season, three soil samples were taken from the root zone of each plant with a split soil corer, and enchytraeids were extracted by the wet funnel method. Living enchytraeids were counted under a dissecting microscope, and their density values were estimated. Worms were identified in five randomly selected samples of each treatment. In addition, soil moisture was determined by oven-drying as well. Mulch material types had significantly different effects on both Enchytraeid density and soil moisture. Under walnut leaf litter, mixed leaf litter and straw cover, higher numbers of individuals were found. In the case of soil moisture content, straw mulching had the highest value, while compost and uncovered surfaces the lowest. It appears that mulch materials serve as food source and provide favourable conditions for enchytraeid communities as well.

Author Biography

  • Renáta Petrikovszki, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Plant Protection Institute, Department of Integrated Plant Protection, H-2100, Páter Károly u. 1., Gödöllo, Hungary

    petrencsi@gmail.com
    corresponding author

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Published

2021-06-30

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How to Cite

Different organic mulch materials affect the abundance of enchytraeids in an open-field experiment. (2021). COLUMELLA – Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 8(1), 13-23. https://doi.org/10.18380/SZIE.COLUM.2021.8.1.13

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