Southeast Nebraska Earthworm Study 2003-2005 Paul C. Hay Extension Educator University of Nebraska Beatrice Nebraska

Man Despite His Artistic Pretensions His Sophistication And His Many Accomplishments Owes His Existence To a Six-Inch Layer of Topsoil And the Fact That It Rains

Factors affecting earthworms populations Tillage Soil pH Soil Type Depth of soil Internal soil drainage Organic matter Rainfall/ temperature Pesticide Use Earthworm introduction

Effect of Rotations and Tillage University of Wisconsin – 1999 thru 2001 J. Simonsen, M. Rosemeyer, J. Posner Counts varied markedly between years. Forage rotation > cash grain No-till cash grain > tilled cash grain In all rotations Reducing tillage > earthworms Manure applications > earthworms

Tillage and Earthworm Populations University of Illinois E. Kladivko Continuous corn, plowed 10 earthworms/m2 Continuous corn, no-till 20 earthworms/m2 Continuous Soybean, plowed 60 earthworms/m2 Continuous Soybean, no-till 140 earthworms/m2 Bluegrass/clover 400 earthworms/m2 Pasture/manure 340 earthworms/m2 Pasture/heavy manure 1300 earthworms/m2

Earthworms Infiltration & Tillage USDA/ARS – Pendleton Oregon S. Wuest Dryland Pea and Wheat Rotation No-till had 5 times as many earthworms More earthworms increased infiltration rate

USDA Soil Quality Institute Summary of Research Studies: Ohio Studies Earthworms reduced 70% in 5-year tillage after sod 25-year tillage = 11-16% of original sod earthworm populations 30-fold increase in earthworms no-till vs plowed fields Nigerian study 2400 earthworms/m2 in no-till vs 100/m2 in tilled fields Georgia Study 967/m2 in no-till vs 149m2 in tilled fields

A one Cubic Foot Mass of soil was dug at 4 random locations in each field. Soil was placed in a plastic tray and sorted to count all earthworms. A sample of worms were identified using internet identification references. One specie was found: Earthworms – Aporrectodea trapezoides Following Guidelines in USDA Soil Quality Kit

Earthworm Counts 2003-2005

Earthworm Counts

Soil Structure Evaluation Rating Scale Used for Soil Structure

Structure Rating

QUESTIONS Paul C Hay, Extension Educator University of Nebraska 1115 West Scott Street Beatrice NE 68310 (402) 223-1384 Fax: (402) 223-1370 Email: phay1@unl.edu Website: www.gage.unl.edu