TITLE:
Response of Nitrous Oxide Flux to Addition of Anecic Earthworms to an Agricultural Field
AUTHORS:
José A. Amador, Edward J. Avizinis
KEYWORDS:
Lumbricus terrestris; Anecic Earthworms; Fertilizer Nitrogen; Nitrous Oxide Flux; Denitrification
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
4,
2013
ABSTRACT: The burrowing and feeding activities
of earthworms may have a strong effect on the flux of N2O from
agricultural soils. As such, shifts to agricultural management practices that
increase the number of earthworms require an understanding of the role of
earthworms in N2O dynamics. We conducted a field experiment to
examine the effects of addition of anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) on N2O flux in a field previously
planted with corn (Zea mays) in
southern Rhode Island, USA. Plots were
amended with (15NH4)2SO4 and either
0 (CTL) or 48 L. terrestris m-2 (EW). The flux of N2O, 15N2O
and 15N2 was measured over 28 days between October and
November 2008. The EW treatment had a significantly higher flux of N2O
and 15N2O 1 - 3 days after 15NH4 addition. No treatment effects were observed on 15N2 flux. The addition of earthworms significantly increased (Day 1) and decreased
(Day 12) the mole fraction of N2O relative to the CTL. Our results
suggest that anecic earthworm additions can increase N2O flux from
inorganic fertilizer N amendments, but the effects appear to short-lived.