DEEP-BURROWING EARTHWORMS INFLUENCED LEACHATE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN OHIO AGROECOSYSTEMS

Authors: SHUSTER, W - EPA; SUBLER, S - PACIFIC-GARDEN; Shipitalo, Martin; MCKEEGAN, C - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY; MCCOY, E - OSU-OARDC; EDWARDS, C - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2001
Publication Date: 10/21/2001
Citation: SHUSTER, W.D., SUBLER, S., SHIPITALO, M.J., MCKEEGAN, C., MCCOY, E.L., EDWARDS, C.A. DEEP-BURROWING EARTHWORMS INFLUENCED LEACHATE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN OHIO AGROECOSYSTEMS. ASA-CSSA-SSSA ANNUAL MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2001. CD-ROM. S06-Shuster111621-Poster.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We investigated the influence of biannual deep-burrowing earthworm additions on leachate production and quality in different midwestern US agroecosystems. Chisel-till (CS) and ridge-till (CSW) treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design (n=3) and earthworm treatments were addition and ambient (control) communities. Zero-tension lysimeters were placed 45 cm below ground surface. We collected earthworm population data biannually and leachate biweekly over a 3.5 year period. Total volume and concentrations of total inorganic N (TIN) and dissolved organic N (DON) were determined on leachate. Abundance of deep-burrowing earthworms was increased in addition treatments over ambient. Similar amounts of leachate were lost from both agroecosystems, yet earthworm additions significantly increased leachate production, TIN, and DON concentration in CS treatments only. Additional results suggested that the eactivity of deep-burrowing earthworms impact biogeochemical cycles in agroecosystems in a more complex manner than originally anticipated.