Abstract

SANCHEZ, Saray  and  HERNANDEZ, Marta. Behavior of earthworm communities in two livestock production systems. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2011, vol.34, n.3, pp.359-365. ISSN 0864-0394.

In order to evaluate the behavior of earthworm communities in two livestock production systems (grassland and silvopastoral system), which were managed for cattle fattening and seed production, a study was conducted at the Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages «Indio Hatuey», Matanzas. For the study of the earthworm communities six collections were made. In each of the described areas 40 soil samples were taken, according to the Methodology of the International Research Program «Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility». In the grassland and the silvopastoral system, 297 and 740 organisms were found, respectively. The species Onychochaeta elegans showed higher proportional abundance in the grassland; while in the silvopastoral system three species were found, two of them typical of forest areas: Polypheretima elongata and Onychochaeta windlei; the former showed a higher value, with significant differences as compared to the species found of the Onychochaeta genus. It is concluded that the presence of trees in grasslands contributes to stimulate edaphic organisms, especially earthworms, which play an important role not only by improving soil physical and chemical indicators, but also as stimulators of other organisms.

Keywords : Lumbricidae; grasslands; silvopastoral systems.

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