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Some Properties of Earthworm Casts as Compared to Adjoining Grassland Soils of Bangladesh

A.S. M. MOHIUDDIN
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka- I000, Bangladesh.

G. H. RASHID
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka- I 000, Bangladesh.

NADIM AHMED
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka- I000, Bangladesh.

S.Z.K.M.SHAMSAD
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka- I000, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Earthworm casts and grassland soils adjacent to the casts were collected from four different locations around Dhaka in order to make a comparative study of some physical and chemical properties . Proportions of sand and silt decreased in the casts compared to nearby soils in all cases but the reverse was true in case of clay fraction. The moisture contents, pH, organic C, total N, P, K, S, Cu, Mn, CEC and BSP were higher in the casts than the corresponding soils with the exception of Demra soil samples where Mn contents were low in the casts. The available Fe and Zn contents were, however, low in the casts than the soils in all cases.

Keywords: Properties, Earthworm casts, Grassland soils

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil fertility

Objectives:

To make a comparative study of some physical and chemical properties

Methodology:

Earthworm casts and surrounding non-ingested upland soils of grassland areas were collected from four locations around Dhaka, viz. Sreepur, Joydebpur, Dhamrai and Demra for evaluating their fertility status. Surface casts and adjoining soils from a depth of about 3 - 6 inches were sampled from each site during autumn. Each sample was a composite of 20 sub samples of that location. The climate of these areas is humid tropical with an average annual temperature of 26.4°C (maximum average 30.8°C, minimum average 22.0 °C) and an annual rainfall 2025 mm . The collected samples were dried, crushed lightly by a wooden hammer and sieved through a 2 mm sieve. Organic C was determined by using Walkley and Black's (1924) rapid titration method.C Total N was determined using the Kjeldahl digestion and distillati.on method as reported by Jackson.0 7l Particle size distribution was assessed by the hydrometer method.08l Soil pH was measured by a glass electrode with water and KCl using soil-water ratio of 1 : 2.5 following Page et al.(19) Total P and S were determined spectrophotometrically from the digest (after HN0₃_-HC10₄ digestion) at 400 and 600 nm wave lengths, respectively. Total K w as determined also from the above digest using a flame photometer.Cation exchange capacity was determined using NH ₄0AC method. Per cent base saturation was estimated by microkjeldahl's distillation method after leaching with 2N KCl solution.Cl Exchangeable Ca, Mg and K were measured in the • leachate of NH₄0AC using atomic absorption spectrophotometer for Ca and Mg, and flame photometer for K.Cl Available P was determined colorimetrically and available S turbidi metrically.Available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer using 0.1 N HCl extract.

Source of Information: Dhaka Univ . J. Biol. Sci. 11(1) : 75-83, 2002 (January)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings of this study further confirm that the earthworm population of soil plays a major role to improve different soil properties. The differences observed in the casts from four sites might be due to possible differences in type of earthworm population (not studied here), nature and type of organic residues added to soil, and the variation in the properties of the soils studied.

Knowledge Management: Journal