Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar
The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i> (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m<sup>−2...
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/60 |
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| author | Onja Ratsiatosika Malalatiana Razafindrakoto Tantely Razafimbelo Michel Rabenarivo Thierry Becquer Laetitia Bernard Jean Trap Eric Blanchart |
| author_facet | Onja Ratsiatosika Malalatiana Razafindrakoto Tantely Razafimbelo Michel Rabenarivo Thierry Becquer Laetitia Bernard Jean Trap Eric Blanchart |
| author_sort | Onja Ratsiatosika |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i> (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m<sup>−2</sup> or were not inoculated (EW0). Inoculation was tested in three cropping systems: conservation agriculture (CA) and traditional tillage with or without residues restitution. Soil and plant properties were measured during the first three years while soil biological properties were assessed at the fourth year. At the end of the experiment, earthworm density was three-fold higher in EW+ than in EW0, demonstrating the success of the inoculation. Earthworm density was more important in CA than in tillage systems. Earthworm inoculation had higher significant effects on soil and plant properties than cropping systems. Earthworm inoculation had positive effects on soil macroaggregation (+43%), aboveground biomass (+27%), rice grain yield (+45%), and N grain amount (+43%). Intensifying earthworm activity in field conditions to meet the challenge of ecological transition is supported by our study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:00:23Z |
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| id | doaj.art-b2f107e0504c47c98b8efe191584c958 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:00:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2f107e0504c47c98b8efe191584c9582023-12-03T13:01:06ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722021-01-011116010.3390/agriculture11010060Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in MadagascarOnja Ratsiatosika0Malalatiana Razafindrakoto1Tantely Razafimbelo2Michel Rabenarivo3Thierry Becquer4Laetitia Bernard5Jean Trap6Eric Blanchart7Laboratoire des Radio-Isotopes, University of Antananarivo, BP 3383, Route d’Andraisoro, Antananarivo 101, MadagascarLaboratoire des Radio-Isotopes, University of Antananarivo, BP 3383, Route d’Andraisoro, Antananarivo 101, MadagascarLaboratoire des Radio-Isotopes, University of Antananarivo, BP 3383, Route d’Andraisoro, Antananarivo 101, MadagascarLaboratoire des Radio-Isotopes, University of Antananarivo, BP 3383, Route d’Andraisoro, Antananarivo 101, MadagascarEco&Sols, Institut Agro, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, IRD, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, FranceEco&Sols, Institut Agro, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, IRD, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, FranceEco&Sols, Institut Agro, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, IRD, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, FranceEco&Sols, Institut Agro, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, IRD, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, FranceThe effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i> (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m<sup>−2</sup> or were not inoculated (EW0). Inoculation was tested in three cropping systems: conservation agriculture (CA) and traditional tillage with or without residues restitution. Soil and plant properties were measured during the first three years while soil biological properties were assessed at the fourth year. At the end of the experiment, earthworm density was three-fold higher in EW+ than in EW0, demonstrating the success of the inoculation. Earthworm density was more important in CA than in tillage systems. Earthworm inoculation had higher significant effects on soil and plant properties than cropping systems. Earthworm inoculation had positive effects on soil macroaggregation (+43%), aboveground biomass (+27%), rice grain yield (+45%), and N grain amount (+43%). Intensifying earthworm activity in field conditions to meet the challenge of ecological transition is supported by our study.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/60<i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i>soil ecological intensificationFerralsolssoil macroaggregatesrice growthrice yield |
| spellingShingle | Onja Ratsiatosika Malalatiana Razafindrakoto Tantely Razafimbelo Michel Rabenarivo Thierry Becquer Laetitia Bernard Jean Trap Eric Blanchart Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar Agriculture <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i> soil ecological intensification Ferralsols soil macroaggregates rice growth rice yield |
| title | Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar |
| title_full | Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar |
| title_fullStr | Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar |
| title_full_unstemmed | Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar |
| title_short | Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar |
| title_sort | earthworm inoculation improves upland rice crop yield and other agrosystem services in madagascar |
| topic | <i>Pontoscolex corethrurus</i> soil ecological intensification Ferralsols soil macroaggregates rice growth rice yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/60 |
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