Effects of Cultivation and DDT on Earthworm Activity in a Forest Soil in the Sub-Humid Tropics

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Abstract
The effects of bush clearing, cultivation and crop protection with DDT on earthworm surface casting activity and populations were monitored over 4 years in southern Nigeria. Surface casting activity by Eudrilus spp. was low in uncleared bush plots but increased progressively from year to year in cultivated plots, untreated with DDT. Casting activity in DDT-treated plots remained at a low level. Hyperiodrilus sp. surface casting activity was significantly reduced in all cultivated treatments compared with bush plots. Despite reduced casting activity in DDT-treated plots, population studies revealed no significant differences in total earthworm populations among the 3 cultivation treatments in terms of numbers and biomass per unit area.

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