Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) and its relationship with soil physical properties under coffee, forest and fallow

Abstract

During the continuous activity of earthworms inside the soil, galleries, macropores, and turricules are generated, and affect soil processes, where aeration and water storage are increased, this has an impact on the development of plant roots. and other organizations. Three soil management conditions were selected to identify the relationship between the presence of worms and the physical changes that occurred in the soil environment, including coffee cultivation, forest,  and fallow, in the municipality of Envigado (Antioquia). , Colombia). In the soil, the following were evaluated: apparent density, hydraulic conductivity, resistance to penetration (mechanical impedance), and stability of the aggregates. The number of individuals, weight and length were determined for the worms, showing significant differences in each of them. These variables, both with management and depth, is how, in coffee, the largest number of individuals were housed in the first 10 cm of depth. While in the forest from 10 to -20 cm the largest size and weight were present. Additionally, this study found the species Martiodrilus (Martiodrilus) heterostichon (Schmarda, 1861), with specimens exceeding 40 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter even in an immature state. Most of the worms found are epigeous and endogeas. The physical characteristics of the soil did not show significant differences