1Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Göttingen, Germany
2National Agro Foundation, Anna University, Taramani Campus, Chennai-600 113, India
3Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Chennai-600 032, India
4Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India
5Department of Biotechnology, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg-491 001, Chattisgarh
6Division of Research and Development, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg-491 001, Chattisgarh
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, India
*E-mail: gkdineshiari@gmail.com; dineshpusa69@gmail.com
Online published on 27 January, 2023.
Earthworms are important macro-organisms in the soil as they play a vital role in improving soil properties. This paper aims to estimate the population and their relationship with crop yields and soil physicochemical properties (soil bulk density, soil organic carbon, and soil penetration resistance) in fields where long-term conservation agriculture has been practised since 2012. The study found a higher population in August (24 individuals). Earthworm populations increased in zero tillage with residue plots than without residues. ZTWR 50% BN+GS plot had a higher earthworm population, and it recorded 24, 17 and 17 individuals in August, September and October months, respectively. From the Pearson correlation analysis, it was observed that earthworm population was positively correlated with soil organic carbon and maize, wheat and mung bean crop yields; earthworm population was negatively correlated with bulk density and penetration resistance. PCA and cluster analysis revealed ZTWR 50% BN+GS as the best treatment. Hence, crop residues retention with appropriate balanced fertiliser is considered as a sustainable practice that improves the soil earthworms and increases crop yields in the North West Indo Gangetic plains.
Soil fertility, Bulk density, Penetration resistance, Carbon, Earthworm
