Dynamics of soil physical properties in Amazonian agroecosystems inoculated with earthworms

The combined use of earthworm inoculation and organic inputs is considered an efficient way to improve traditional slash-and-burn agriculture in the humid tropics. This study tests the hypothesis that the resistant macroaggregate structure that results from earthworm activities is likely to promote sustainability by favoring water infiltration and soil aeration. Six successive crops (maize [Zea mays L.]-rice [Oryza sativa L.]-cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]-rice-rice-rice) were grown from March 1990 to January 1993 on a fine-sandy, siliceous, isohyperthermic Typic Paleudult previously covered by forest at Yurimaguas (Peruvian Amazonia). The experimental design included a combination of three organic residue treatments (without residues, with crop residues, and with crop residues plus green manure), with or without earthworm (Pontoscolex corethrurus) inoculation (36 g fresh weight m2). Soil physical properties (bulk density, total porosity, infiltration, sorptivity, soil water tension, and aggregate-size distribution) were measured before clearing and after harvesting each crop. The proportion of macroaggregates (>1 cm) increased from 25.1 to 32.7% in inoculated treatments, whereas the proportion of small aggregates (

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1996.03615995006000050033x

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