Your search found 17 records
1 Orange, Didier; Bardouin, L.; Nguyen, D. P.; Loiseau, J. B.; Clement, Floriane; Jouquet, Pascal. 2007. Le concept de PES pour une gestion durable des eaux et des sols: application au developpement de l’elevage et au controle environnemental dans le Nord Vietnam. In French. Gestion integree des eaux et des sols : ressources, amenagements et risques en milieux ruraux et urbains, Editions AUF et IRD, Hanoi, Actes des Premieres Journees Scientifiques Inter- Reseaux de l’AUF, Hanoi, 6-9 novembre 2007; Paper presented at Conference, Integrated Management of Waters and Soils: resources, infrastructures and risks in rural and urban areas, Hanoi, Vietnam, 6-9 November 2007. 8p.
Sloping land ; Erosion ; Cropping systems ; Composts ; Fodder ; Livestock / Vietnam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 333.91 G784 ORA Record No: H040808)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H040808.pdf
In Northern Vietnam, the urgent environmental problems are soil erosion under annual crop on sloping lands leading to a drastic soil fertility decrease, inducing the risk to unfertilize the flatlands and to fill up the water reservoirs in the downstream part by sediment accumulation. Then a lack of disposable income for the purchase of inorganic fertilizers has resulted in farmers in Northern Vietnam resorting to the utilization of raw animal and human waste in order to fertilizer their cropping systems. This project is dealing at the District level in the Northward of Hoa Binh Province with the PES use (agro-ecological concept of Payment for Environmental Services) based on a new market opportunity for the farmers of Northern Vietnam to mobilise the integrated cattle husbandry enhancement and water management between uplands and lowlands. The purpose is to create a sustainable loop between fodder cropping on sloping lands, the cattle development under stables, the animal and human waste management, leading to human health and water quality protections, to the erosion sediment control for both a sustainable upland and lowland use. The proposed project offers a novel approach in that a holistic approach is introduced to achieve income generation from livestock manure management in mountainous environment of Southeast Asia in establishing a process of comprehensive assessment, of mutual learning between farmers from upper part and down part of the watershed through a hydrological modelling platform, and by the development of new agricultural technologies as biogas digester and vermicompost unit.

2 Jouquet, Pascal; Bottinelli, N.; Podwojewski, Pascal; Hallaire, V. 2008. Chemical and physical properties of earthworm casts as compared to bulk soil under a range of different land-use systems in Vietnam. Geoderma, 146:231-238.
Land use ; Soil properties ; Soil pore system ; Soil ; Sampling ; Soil analysis ; Erosion ; Earthworms / Vietnam
Call no: e-copy only Record No: H041501)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H041501.pdf

3 Podwojewski, P.; Orange, Didier; Jouquet, Pascal; Valentin, C.; Nguyen, V. T.; Janeau, J. L.; Toan, T. D. 2008. Land-use impacts on surface runoff and soil detachment within agricultural sloping lands in northern Vietnam. Catena, 74:109-118.
Surface runoff ; Land use ; Sloping land ; Cassava ; Eucalyptus ; Fodder ; Environmental degradation ; Catchment areas ; Soil properties ; Vegetation / Vietnam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.4 G784 POD Record No: H041496)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H041496.pdf

4 Yajima, A.; Jouquet, Pascal; Trung, D. D.; Cam, T. D. T.; Cong, D. T.; Orange, Didier; Montresor A. 2009. High latrine coverage is not reducing the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Hoa Binh province, Vietnam. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103(3):237-241. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.08.012]
/ Vietnam / Hoa Binh province
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042313)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042313.pdf
(0.15 MB)
A baseline epidemiological survey for parasite infections was conducted between December 2007 and January 2008 in 155 villagers in a rural commune in Hoa Binh province, Vietnam. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infection was 13.5%, 45.2% and 58.1%, respectively. At least one of the parasites was detected in 72.3% of the samples. We found no association between infection with A. lumbricoides or T. trichiura and engagement in agriculture, while hookworm infection was more prevalent in populations having frequent contact with soil. Agricultural use of human faeces was not correlated with any of the infections. We suggest that the consumption of vegetables that are commonly fertilized with human faeces in the community has led to the high infection rates with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, rather than the manipulation of faeces in farming activity. This also explains the high infection prevalence, despite high latrine coverage (98.1%) in the study population. The presence of latrines alone is not sufficient to reduce the prevalence of helminthiasis in a rural agricultural community if fresh faeces are used as fertilizer.

5 Choosai, C.; Mathieu, J.; Hanboonsong, Y.; Jouquet, Pascal. 2009. Termite mounds and dykes are biodiversity refuges in paddy fields in north-eastern Thailand. Environmental Conservation, 36(1):71-79. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892909005475]
Paddy fields ; Biodiversity ; Isoptera ; Habitats ; Land management ; Agroecosystems / Thailand / Khon Kaen province / Ban Fang amphur / Baan Daeng village
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042316)
http://journals.cambridge.org/production/action/cjoGetFulltext?fulltextid=5571120
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042316.pdf
(0.93 MB)
Paddy fields in north-eastern Thailand are heterogeneous agro-ecosystems that can be described as mosaics of paddy rice plots, dykes and termitemounds. The aim of this study was to determine if this heterogeneity influences soil macrofauna biodiversity. While biodiversity did not vary as a result of different rice management practices (direct seeding and transplanting), dykes and mounds were vital to the maintenance of soil macrofauna biodiversity. Diversity and density were higher in termite mounds and field dykes, compared to rice plots, especially during the rainy season. Consequently, termitemounds and dykes can be considered to be biodiversity hotspots that behave as refuges for other soilmacrofauna during the rainy and dry seasons, providing protection against flooding and dryness. The importance of these patches of biological activity in terms of ecosystem functioning and services are discussed.

6 Mathieu, J.; Grimaldi, M.; Jouquet, Pascal; Rouland, C.; Lavelle, P.; Desjardins, T.; Rossi, J. P. 2009. Spatial patterns of grasses influence soil macrofauna biodiversity in Amazonian pastures. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41(3):586-593. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.020]
Pastures ; Soil organisms ; Soil fauna ; Biodiversity ; Soil temperature ; Statistical methods / South America / Amazon
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042326)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042326.pdf
(0.45 MB)
Grasslands are often characterized by small-scale spatial eterogeneity due to the juxtaposition of grass tufts and bare ground. Although the mechanisms generating plant spatial patterns have been widely studied, few studies concentrated on the consequences of these patterns on belowground macrofauna. Our objective was to analyze the impact of grass tuft (Brachiaria bryzantha cv. marandu) spatial distribution on soil macrofauna diversity in Amazonian pastures, at a small scale (less than 9 m2). Soil macrofauna was sampled among B. bryzantha tufts, which showed a variable spatial distribution ranging from dense to loose vegetation cover. The vegetation configuration explained 69% of the variation in total soil macrofauna density and 68% of the variation in total species richness. Soil macrofauna was mainly found in the upper 10 cm of soil and biodiversity decreased with increasing distances to the nearest grass tuft and increased with increasing vegetation cover. The size of the largest grass tuft and the microlandscape connectivity also had a significant effect on biodiversity. The density and species richness of the three principal soil ecological engineers (earthworms, ants and termites) showed the best correlations with vegetation configuration. In addition, soil temperature significantly decreased near the plants, while soil water content was not influenced by the grass tufts. We conclude that soil macrofauna diversity is low in pastures except close to the grass tufts, which can thus be considered as biodiversity hotspots. The spatial arrangement of B. bryzantha tussocks influences soil macrofauna biodiversity by modifying soil properties in their vicinity. The possible mechanisms by which these plants could affect soil macrofauna are discussed.

7 Jouquet, Pascal; Zangerle, A.; Rumpel, C.; Brunet, D.; Bottinelli, N.; Toan, Tran Duc. 2009. Relevance of the biogenic and physicogenic classification: a comparison of approaches to discriminate the origin of soil aggregates. European Journal of Soil Science, 60:1117-1125. [doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1365-2389.2009.01168.x]
Soil analysis ; Biogenic amines ; Earthworms ; Soil structural units ; Soil organic matter ; Nutrient cycling in ecosystems ; Soil structure
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042643)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042643.pdf
(0.84 MB)
Although freshly formed or unaltered biogenic aggregates are easily recognized, identifying the origin of aggregates altered by physical and biological processes remains empirical and prone to error. The aim of this study was to distinguish between biogenic (BIO) and physicogenic (PHYS) aggregates in various states of fragmentation or size classes using visual, physical and chemical characteristics. Casts produced by Amynthas khami (BIO) and surrounding soil aggregates without visible biological activity (PHYS) were left to disaggregate by natural rainfall events and then separated into five size classes of >10, 10–5, 5–2, 2–0.5 and <0.5 mm. We then analysed aggregate morphology, elemental and stable isotope composition and soil stability, and used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine their chemical characteristics. Although visual assessment is the method most commonly used in the field to distinguish between BIO and PHYS, our study found that the results obtained were always prone to error and that the classification was arbitrary for BIO and PHYS aggregates smaller than 5 and 2 mm in size, respectively. Soil structural stability was only useful for identifying BIO aggregates larger than 2 mm. While C content and d13C in BIO were always different from PHYS, regardless of soil aggregate size, N content and d15N were similar. NIRS was the most effective method because it clearly discriminated soil aggregates on the basis of size and origin. The NIRS characteristics of BIO were also more uniform than those of PHYS, suggesting that BIO aggregates have a simpler organization and as a consequence more homogeneous ecological functions. Thus, our findings suggest that information may be lost when only the physical aspect of aggregates is used to quantify the activity of ecosystem engineers in soil. After fragmentation, BIO aggregates become hidden and although it may be impossible to distinguish them visually from PHYS aggregates they retain some of their specific chemical characteristics.

8 Jouquet, Pascal; Hartmann, C.; Choosai, C.; Hanboonsong, Y.; Brunet, D.; Montoroi, J. P. 2008. Different effects of earthworms and ants on soil properties of paddy fields in North-East Thailand. Paddy and Water Environment, 6(4):381-386. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-008-0134-x]
Earthworms ; Formicidae ; Cats ; Paddy fields ; Soil properties ; Soil analysis / Thailnad
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042766)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042766.pdf
(0.36 MB)
As soil engineers, earthworms and ants play major roles in soil functioning, especially in modifying soil physical and chemical properties. This study was conducted in a very constraining environment, i.e., paddy fields which have anoxic conditions (approximately four months per year), and which are affected by soil salinisation during the dry period (approximately eight months per year). This study points out that despite those very adverse conditions, soil invertebrates must be taken into account in the dynamic of soil organic and mineral properties in paddy fields. The effects of one earthworm species, Glyphodrillus sp., and an ant species, Epelysidris sp., on soil physical and chemical properties were determined through elemental soil physical and chemical properties (texture, pH, conductivity, C and N contents) and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in order to evaluate their ability to influence soil organic matter quality. PCA processed with NIRS data clearly showed that biogenic structures (ant sheetings and earthworm casts) were separated from the control surrounding soil. Earthworms and ants affected differently soil properties. Glyphodrillus sp. increased the SOM content and decreased the pH on the surface of the soil. These effects were attributed to an increase in fine particle content (clay). Conversely, Epelysidris sp. only increased the content of coarse particles (sand) and did not influence either soil pH or SOM content. Soil conductivity was found to be very variable but was not significantly affected by soil invertebrates. These results show the potential of soil macro-fauna to create heterogeneity at small spatial scale and to modify the quality of surface soils even under adverse conditions like saline paddy fields.

9 Bottinelli, N.; Henry des Tureaux, Thierry; Hallaire, V.; Mathieu, J.; Benard, Y.; Toan, Tran Duc; Jouquet, Pascal. 2010. Earthworms accelerate soil porosity turnover under watering conditions. Geoderma, 156(1-2):43-47. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.01.006]
Earthworms ; Soil pore system
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042815)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042815.pdf
(0.56 MB)
Endogeic earthworms significantly modify soil aggregation and porosity, which in turn control water flow in soil. This study aimed to determine how the earthworm casting activity influences soil porosity and its dynamics. The main hypothesis was that the deposition of belowground water-stable casts increases soil porosity and its water stability. First we quantified cast production by the endogeic earthworm species Metaphire posthuma under laboratory conditions for 15 days. Secondly, casts and the bulk soil were analysed for structural stability to water and were packed in soil and subjected to wetting under various conditions and energy levels. The shape and size of pores were measured by image analysis. Almost all casts (98%) were produced belowground. M. posthuma produced approximately five times its own weight per day. Casts were depleted in C and were more easily disaggregated by water than the bulk soil. Although casts initially led to larger soil porosity (on average 50%), their structure was unstable. As a consequence, water inputs led to a faster decrease in soil porosity in the presence of casts. Large pores in between casts were rapidly replaced by small elongated and rounded pores. These results suggest that cast lifespan and associated porosity are of primary importance in the regulation of soil porosity turnover and the ecological functions that are under its control. Our findings suggest that in the field, the low stability of casts is likely to lead to a rapid compaction of the soil after rainfall events. However, high levels of cast production may prevent soil porosity from being broken down. Soil structural porosity thus depends on the balance between the production and degradation of casts. Improvements to the soil structure will occur when the former predominates.

10 Jouquet, Pascal; Henry des Tureaux, Thierry; Mathieu, J.; Doan Thu, Thuy; Toan, Tran Duc; Orange, Didier. 2010. Utilization of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) to quantify the impact of earthworms on soil and carbon erosion in steep slope ecosystem: a study case in northern Vietnam. Catena, 81(2):113-116. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2010.01.010]
Soil ; Carbon ; Erosion ; Earthworms ; Ecosystems ; Case studies / Vietnam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042814)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042814.pdf
(0.65 MB)
This work focuses on a new approach to quantify the effects of above-ground earthworm's activity on soil erosion in steep slope ecosystems such as in Northern Vietnam. In these areas and in many others in the world, soil erosion becomes a major issue while the factors that determine it are still misunderstood. Earthworm's activity is believed to influence soil erosion rate, but we are still unable to precisely quantify their contribution to soil erosion. In this study, we used Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) to quantify the proportion of soil aggregate in eroded soil coming from earthworm activity. This was done by generating NIRS signatures corresponding to different soil surface aggregates (above-ground soil casts produced by earthworms vs. surrounding topsoil). In order to test the proposed approach, we compared the NIRS-signature of eroded soil sediments to those of earthworms' casts and of the surrounding soils. Our results strongly supported that NIRS spectra might be used as “fingerprints” to identify the origin of soil aggregates. Although earthworms are generally assumed to play a favorable role in promoting soil fertility and ecosystem services, this method shows that cast aggregates constitute about 36 and 77% of sediments in two tropical plantations, Paspalum atratumand Panicum maximum plantations, respectively. In light with these results, we estimated that earthworms led to an annual loss of 3.3 and 15.8 kg of carbon ha-1 yr-1, respectively in P. atratum and P. maximum agroecosystems.

11 Choosai, C.; Jouquet, Pascal; Hanboonsong, Y.; Hartmann, Christian. 2010. Effects of earthworms on soil properties and rice production in the rainfed paddy fields of Northeast Thailand. Applied Soil Ecology, 45(3):298-303. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.05.006]
Earthworms ; Soil properties ; Soil fertility ; Paddy fields ; Rice ; Productivity ; Rainfed farming / Thailand
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042968)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042968.pdf
(0.71 MB)
Earthworms play an important role in soil fertility because of their effects on soil properties, and especially the creation of casts that usually have different properties than the surrounding soil. If the influence of earthworms on soil properties and plant growth has been extensively studied in aerobic ecosystems, their effects remain largely unknown in partially flooded environments such as paddy fields. The aim of this study was to describe the potential influence of earthworms on soil properties and rice yield in Northeast Thailand.Westudied the abundance of aboveground casts produced by Drawida beddardi in two paddy rice systems (transplanting: TP and direct seeding: DS) and we measured the soil physicochemical properties of casts and their influence on rice growth and yield. Cast abundance was low (250 casts per ha) and not different in TP and DS. Casts appeared as patches of fertility with more fine particle sizes and organic matter contents, a higher CEC, as well as a much higher concentrations of mineral elements (N, P and K). As a consequence, our results suggest that earthworm activity lead to a significant higher rice yield. These results stress the importance earthworms could have in the regulation of rice productivity in paddy fields. More research is now needed to understand the ecological mechanisms that regulate earthworm abundance and activity in these environments.

12 Orange, Didier; Nguyen Duy, P.; Loiseau, J. B.; Bui Tan, Y.; Henry des Tureaux, Thierry; Bardouin, L.; Rodriguez, C.; Bertrand, J.; Grandidier, E.; Jouquet, Pascal; Toan, T. D. 2008. Exploring the relevance and feasibility of PES approaches for producing environmental services through changes in agricultural practices: a case study in the Mekong Region: Vietnam case. Intermediate report of the Challenge Program for Water and Food, CPWF theme 2, Contract C-056-07. 68p.
Erosion ; Runoff ; Models ; Highlands ; Watersheds ; Catchment areas ; Environmental protection ; User charges ; Farming systems ; Composts ; Biofuels ; Biogas ; Water balance ; Irrigation operation ; Case studies / Vietnam / Tien Xuan Commune / Dong Cao Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043014)
http://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/21046
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043014.pdf
(5.38 MB)

13 Orange, Didier; Henry des Tureaux, Thierry; Phan Ha, H. A.; Clement, Floriane; Jouquet, Pascal; Van Dinh, P.; Van Thiet, N.; Nguyen, D. P.; Toan, T. D. 2008. Duras Program, CropLivestock Project, IRD-Vietnam component: final technical - scientific report. IRD-IWMI, MSEC (Management for Soil Erosion Consortium) Team, SFRI (Soils and Fertilisers Research Institute), Hanoi, Vietnam. 11p.
Sloping land ; Soil management
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043031)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043031.pdf
(0.44 MB)
Part 1: Identification of spontaneous innovative practices through local community-based knowledge; Part 2: Environmental impact of fodder crop on sloping lands.

14 Jouquet, Pascal; Plumere, Thierry; Doan Thu, T.; Rumpel, C. 2010. The rehabilitation of tropical soils using compost and vermicompost is affected by the presence of endogeic earthworms. Applied Soil Ecology, 46:125-133. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.07.002]
Soil improvement ; Earthworms ; Composts ; Vermicomposting / Vietnam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043190)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043190.pdf
(0.34 MB)
As soil engineers, earthworms play a key role in soil organic matter turnover and ecosystem functioning. Numerous studies have shown their positive influence on plant growth and soil quality. At the same time, organic matter inputs in compost or vermicompost, produced in the presence of earthworms, are valuable soil amendments that may increase plant growth. However, whether the combination of earthworm activity and organic matter amendments can be a successful approach for soil rehabilitation remains insufficiently studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the interactions between Dichogaster bolaui , an endogeic earthworm species, and compost or vermicompost produced by Eisenia andrei , an epigeic earthworm species, in a degraded tropical soil. We assessed nutrient availability and natural vegetation recovery. Treatments with and without D. bolaui earthworms were compared. The incorporation of both types of organic matter improved soil quality (i.e., higher pH, more C and nutrients) and led to the recovery of vegetation growth (i.e., development of seedlings and higher above- and belowground biomass). Mineral nutrients, on the other hand, had no effect on vegetation development and led to more pollution of groundwater (i.e., higher concentrations of N-NH 4 +, N-NO 3 - , K and P). Although we could not draw definite conclusions about whether vermicompost had a more positive effect on plant growth than compost, this substrate improved soil chemical properties compared with compost. Dichogaster bolaui enhanced leaching of N-NH 4 + , N-NO 3 - and K when mineral nutrients were used. However overall, D. bolaui had a neutral impact on plant growth when combined with compost, but a negative effect when in combination with vermicompost inputs. In conclusion, this experiment demonstrated that organic matter amendment is an interesting alternative for the rehabilitation of tropical soils. However, negative interactions can occur between local endogeic earthworms and vermicompost.

15 Laossi, K-R.; Decaens, T.; Jouquet, Pascal; Barot, S. 2010. Can we predict how earthworm effects on plant growth vary with soil properties?. Review article. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2010:6p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/784342]
Earthworms ; Plant growth ; Soil properties
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042937)
http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2010/784342.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042937.pdf
(0.52 MB) (531.04 KB)
Earthworms are usually assumed to enhance plant growth through different mechanisms which are now clearly identified. It is however difficult to determine their relative importance, and to predict a priori the strength and direction of the effects of a given earthworm species on a given plant. Soil properties are likely to be very influential in determining plant responses to earthworm activities. They are likely to change the relative strength of the various mechanisms involved in plant-earthworm interactions. In this paper, we review the different rationales used to explain changes in earthworm effect due to soil type. Then, we systematically discuss the effect of main soil characteristics (soil texture, OM, and nutrient contents) on the different mechanisms allowing earthworm to influence plant growth. Finally, we identify the main shortcomings in our knowledge and point out the new experimental and meta-analytical approaches that need to be developed. An example of such a meta-analysis is given and means to go further are suggested. The result highlights a strong positive effect size in sandy soil and a weakly negative effect in clayey soil.

16 Hong, Hanh Nguyen; Rumpel, C.; Henry des Tureaux, Thierry; Bardoux, G.; Billou, D.; Toan, Tran Duc; Jouquet, Pascal. 2011. How do earthworms influence organic matter quantity and quality in tropical soils? Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43(2):223-230. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.09.033]
Earthworms ; Soil organic matter ; Soil structure ; Lignins
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043453)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043453.pdf
(0.75 MB)
Earthworms are important regulators of soil structure and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics; however, quantifying their influence on SOM cycling in tropical ecosystems remains little studied. Simulated rainfall was used to disrupt casts produced by Amynthas khami and their surrounding soil (control) into a range of small sized aggregates (50e250, 250e500, 500e2000 and 2000e5000 mm). To gain insight into how earthworms influence SOM biogeochemical composition in the aggregates, we carried out elemental and stable isotope analysis, and analytical pyrolysis (Py GC/MS). We also characterized their lignin component after oxidation with cupric oxide (CuO).The C content of smaller size fractions (<500 mm) in the control soil was higher than in the larger fractions. Our study therefore suggests that the aggregate hierarchy concept, which is used to understand soil aggregates and SOM dynamics in temperate soils, may not be applicable to the tropical Acrisol studied here. Earthworms modified SOM organization in soil aggregates. Although the isotope analyses were useful for highlighting SOM enrichment in the earthworm casts, aggregate fractions could not be classified according to particle size. Molecular analyses were necessary to indicate that SOM in all size fractions of casts consisted of relatively undecomposed material. Protection of the most labile SOM structures occurred in the smallest aggregate size fraction (50e250 mm). Py GC/MS showed that earthworm casts and control aggregates <2000 mm could be clearly distinguished according to the molecular properties of their SOM. Aggregates larger than 2000 mm, however, were most probably composed of all fractions and were not different. As a consequence, our results indicate that studies to determine the impact of earthworms on SOM turnover in soil are spatially dependant on the scale of observation.

17 Jouquet, Pascal; Bloquel, E.; Doan Thu, Thuy; Ricoy, M.; Orange, Didier; Rumpel, C.; Toan, Tran Duc. 2011. Do compost and vermicompost improve macronutrient retention and plant growth in degraded tropical soils? Compost Science and Utilization, 19(1):15-24.
Composts ; Vermicomposting ; Primary nutrients ; Tropical soils ; Soil degradation ; Soil fertility ; Acrisols ; Water pollution ; Plant growth / Southeast Asia / Vietnam / Dong Cao Village
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043675)
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043675.pdf
(0.89 MB)

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