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Application of mulches or crop residues can conserve soil moisture
and provide earthworms with protection from sudden changes in temperature.
It can also provide them with an additional food source. Consequently,
earthworm survival is usually favoured where mulches are applied
or residues are returned to the soil.
Individual species of earthworm may respond differently to residue
applications and also to the manner in which residues are applied.
For example, surface dwelling species such as L. rubellus
could be favoured by surface application of mulches, whereas A.
caliginosa, a topsoil dwelling species, is likely to benefit
when residues are ploughed into the soil. Therefore, management
practices have the potential to encourage individual earthworm species.
For more information contact:
Dr Trish Fraser
Agricultural practices and earthworm
populations
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