Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 41: 2808 - 2819. Published May 10, 2011.
Maize growth and production as influenced by earthworm-based integrated soil fertility management in tropical agro-ecosystems.
Arnauth M. GUEI1*, Peter OKOTH2 and Jérôme E. TONDOH3
1UFR des Sciences et de la Nature/Centre de Recherche en Ecologie, Université d’Abobo-Adjamé, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire ; 2CIAT-TSBF Nairobi c/o World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, P.O. Box 30677 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya; 3CIAT-TSBF, Institut d’Economie Rurale CRRA de Sotuba, Laboratoire Sol Eau Plante, BP 262 Bamako, Mali
*Corresponding author e-mail: gueiarnauthmartinez@yahoo.frABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate (i) the role of earthworm communities in the integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) theory, and (ii) the mechanisms underlying the positive impact of earthworms on maize production.
Methodology and results: A field mesocosm experiment was set up in a degraded agro-ecosystem in semi-deciduous forest areas in Central-West Côte d’Ivoire. Earthworm communities were composed of the association of decompacting (Hyperiodrilus africanus) and compacting (Millsonia omodeoi) native species known to be main species in natural populations and regulating soil structure in the area. In the presence of earthworms, there were significant increases in (i) maize growth 30 days after planting, and (ii) maize production (aboveground biomass, grains and root biomass). This significant impact was enhanced with inorganic fertilizers and/or earthworm inoculations. The increase in maize production in earthworm-based treatments is likely to be explained by increasing root biomass production, phosphorus and water use efficiency associated with earthworm engineering activities.
Conclusions and potential application of findings: These findings highlight the crucial role played by earthworms in the ISFM theory through their engineering activities by enhancing the use of water and mineral fertilizers by maize roots. Farmers should encourage proliferation of earthworm populations in their fields as these fauna are important for sustainable agriculture production in agricultural systems.
Keywords: Earthworms, ISFM, nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, mesocosms
FULL PAPER [PDF AVAILABLE HERE]
