the OM content. Bartz et al. (2014) observed the positive relationship between the
age of non-disturbed land and OM content, i.e. non-disturbed land has high OM
content and vice versa. The site with minimum tillage or zero tillage has high
earthworm abundance due to the retention of high OM content (Bartz et al. 2014).
19.5 Conclusion
Earthworms play a crucial role in the soil by altering the water-holding capacity,
water infiltration, soil microfauna, etc., but the physico-chemical properties of soil
such as pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, temperature, soil texture, organic
matter, etc., influence the earthworm communities in the soil. The vermicast egested
by the earthworms acts as an organic manure, which helps in plant growth and
development. The farmers should also be educated regarding the role of earthworms
in the soil and also to use earthworm friendly agricultural practices.
References
Adhikary S (2012) Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: a review. Agric Sci 3(7):905
Andriuzzi WS, Pulleman MM, Schmidt O, Faber JH, Brussaard L (2015) Anecic earthworms
(Lumbricus terrestris) alleviate negative effects of extreme rainfall events on soil and plants in
field mesocosms. Plant Soil 397(1–2):103–113
Anon (2001) Standards for Organic Food Production, Feb 2001 (amended to Nov 2001).
UKFROFS Reference OB4
Ayuke FO, Pulleman MM, Vanlauwe B, de Goede RG, Six J, Csuzdi C, Brussaard L (2011)
Agricultural management affects earthworm and termite diversity across humid to semi-arid
tropical zones. Agric Ecosyst Environ 140(1–2):148–154
Baker G, Buckerfield J, Grey-Gardner R, Merry R, Doube B (1992) The abundance and diversity of
earthworms in pasture soils in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Soil Biol Biochem 24
(12):1389–1395
Baker GH, Carter PJ, Curry JP, Cultreri O, Beck A (1998) Clay content of soil and its influence on
the abundance of Aporrectodea trapezoides Duges (Lumbricidae). Appl Soil Ecol 9
(1–3):333–337
Barrios E (2007) Soil biota, ecosystem services and land productivity. Ecol Econ 64(2):269–285
Bartz MLC, Brown GG, da Rosa MG, Klauberg Filho O, James SW, Decaëns T, Baretta D (2014)
Earthworm richness in land-use systems in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Appl Soil Ecol 83:59–70
Bertrand M, Barot S, Blouin M, Whalen J, de Oliveira T, Roger-Estrade J (2015) Earthworm
services for cropping systems. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 35(2):553–567
Bhadauria T, Saxena KG (2010) Role of earthworms in soil fertility maintenance through the
production of biogenic structures. Appl Environ Soil Sci 2010:816073
Birkas M, Jolánkai M, Gyuricza C, Percze A (2004) Tillage effects on compaction, earthworms and
other soil quality indicators in Hungary. Soil Tillage Res 78(2):185–196
Blanchart E, Albrecht A, Brown G, Decaens T, Duboisset A, Lavelle P et al (2004) Effects of
tropical endogeic earthworms on soil erosion. Agric Ecosyst Environ 104(2):303–315
Blouin M, Hodson ME, Delgado EA, Baker G, Brussaard L, Butt KR et al (2013) A review of
earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services. Eur J Soil Sci 64(2):161–182
19 Earthworm Communities and Soil Structural Properties
345
age of non-disturbed land and OM content, i.e. non-disturbed land has high OM
content and vice versa. The site with minimum tillage or zero tillage has high
earthworm abundance due to the retention of high OM content (Bartz et al. 2014).
19.5 Conclusion
Earthworms play a crucial role in the soil by altering the water-holding capacity,
water infiltration, soil microfauna, etc., but the physico-chemical properties of soil
such as pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, temperature, soil texture, organic
matter, etc., influence the earthworm communities in the soil. The vermicast egested
by the earthworms acts as an organic manure, which helps in plant growth and
development. The farmers should also be educated regarding the role of earthworms
in the soil and also to use earthworm friendly agricultural practices.
References
Adhikary S (2012) Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: a review. Agric Sci 3(7):905
Andriuzzi WS, Pulleman MM, Schmidt O, Faber JH, Brussaard L (2015) Anecic earthworms
(Lumbricus terrestris) alleviate negative effects of extreme rainfall events on soil and plants in
field mesocosms. Plant Soil 397(1–2):103–113
Anon (2001) Standards for Organic Food Production, Feb 2001 (amended to Nov 2001).
UKFROFS Reference OB4
Ayuke FO, Pulleman MM, Vanlauwe B, de Goede RG, Six J, Csuzdi C, Brussaard L (2011)
Agricultural management affects earthworm and termite diversity across humid to semi-arid
tropical zones. Agric Ecosyst Environ 140(1–2):148–154
Baker G, Buckerfield J, Grey-Gardner R, Merry R, Doube B (1992) The abundance and diversity of
earthworms in pasture soils in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Soil Biol Biochem 24
(12):1389–1395
Baker GH, Carter PJ, Curry JP, Cultreri O, Beck A (1998) Clay content of soil and its influence on
the abundance of Aporrectodea trapezoides Duges (Lumbricidae). Appl Soil Ecol 9
(1–3):333–337
Barrios E (2007) Soil biota, ecosystem services and land productivity. Ecol Econ 64(2):269–285
Bartz MLC, Brown GG, da Rosa MG, Klauberg Filho O, James SW, Decaëns T, Baretta D (2014)
Earthworm richness in land-use systems in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Appl Soil Ecol 83:59–70
Bertrand M, Barot S, Blouin M, Whalen J, de Oliveira T, Roger-Estrade J (2015) Earthworm
services for cropping systems. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 35(2):553–567
Bhadauria T, Saxena KG (2010) Role of earthworms in soil fertility maintenance through the
production of biogenic structures. Appl Environ Soil Sci 2010:816073
Birkas M, Jolánkai M, Gyuricza C, Percze A (2004) Tillage effects on compaction, earthworms and
other soil quality indicators in Hungary. Soil Tillage Res 78(2):185–196
Blanchart E, Albrecht A, Brown G, Decaens T, Duboisset A, Lavelle P et al (2004) Effects of
tropical endogeic earthworms on soil erosion. Agric Ecosyst Environ 104(2):303–315
Blouin M, Hodson ME, Delgado EA, Baker G, Brussaard L, Butt KR et al (2013) A review of
earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services. Eur J Soil Sci 64(2):161–182
19 Earthworm Communities and Soil Structural Properties
345