Earthworm population of a pasture spray-irrigated with dairy shed effluent

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Abstract
Monthly estimates of earthworm numbers and wet weight were made by hand-sorting from July 1974 to July 1975 in a permanent pasture of 1.6 ha, irrigated with some 30000 1/day of dairy shed eilluent during the 270-day milking season. Total earthworm population averaged 10.1 (5.25-18.10) milliori/ha weighing 3082 (1590–7110) kg. Mean dry matter content was 15%, and the C and N contents were 38.6% and 8.2% respectively. An unirrigated control area was sampled in December and July and contained less than half the number and weight of earthworms in the irrigated area; this partly reflects different rates 01 dry matter production. Maintenance of a relatively high soil moisture level in the irrigated area from September to November coupled with high soil temperatures resulted in a high earthworm population in November, and the relatively moist soil from December to March reduced earthworm mortality relative to the control soil. Sampling indicated that eilluent irrigation stimulated the earthworm population, ensuring adequate incorporation of the organic material applied into the soil.

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