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Macroporous Infiltration and Redistribution as Affected by Earthworms, Tillage, and Residue¹

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to determine if burrows produced by two species of earthworms (Aporrectodea tuberculata and Lumbricus rubellus) found in continuous corn (Zea mays L.) in Minnesota altered the infiltration rate and depth distribution of surface applied water. Each species was introduced (212 m^–2) to in situ cylinders in plots initially void of worms that had been subjected to tillage with and without residue or no-till with and without residue for 5 yr. Burrows produced by both species of worms during a 46-d period increased average infiltration rates of 30 mm of water relative to controls after 46 d. Surface residues more than doubled the number of burrows open to the surface relative to incorporated residues (48 vs. 15 for L. rubellus, 37 vs. 15 for A. tuberculata). Cocoon production, an indicator of potential survivability, was present for both species in the no-till-surface residue treatment and for A. tuberculata also in the till-incorporated residue treatment. Bromide (Br^-) tracer and mass balance for Br^- in all treatments showed infiltration and Br^- movement in the upper 5 cm of the profile was fastest in tillage treatments with worms and residues and that Br^- movement beyond 19 cm was greatest for the no-till treatments with worms and residues. Pore continuity and survival potential for worms in the no-till-residue treatment suggest that this treatment might increase populations of worms in cropland while altering the hydraulic status and erosion susceptibility of soils in the north central USA.

¹ Contribution of the Soil and Water Management Res. Unit. North Central Region, USDA-ARS, St. Paul, MN 55108, in cooperation with Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn., Sci. J. Ser. Paper no. 15 152.

² Graduate Research Assistant; Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, and Associate Professor; Research Chemist, USDA-ARS, and Professor; all Dep. of Soil Science, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, respectively.

Received for publication December 22, 1986.

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