Weed management systems and other factors affecting the earthworm population in a banana plantation
Issue Date
5-2013
Abstract
The effects of chemical and manual weed management on the abundance of earthworms and composition of earthworm populations in a banana plantation were studied in a long term field experiment. Earthworm populations were monitored in plots receiving either a cyclical course of two applications of paraquat (480mLha-1) at monthly intervals followed by one of glyphosate (1680mLha-1) or manual weeding using slashing, mechanical cutting and scraping. There were no significant differences in earthworm counts between manual and chemical plots both in areas with 15% (15° inclination) site (F=0.48, P=0.49) and 25% (25° inclination) site (F=0.44, P=0.51) during the 2-year period. Instead, variation in earthworm counts could be attributed to differences in rainfall, organic matter, organic mulch and soil cover. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS.
Source or Periodical Title
European Journal of Soil Biology
ISSN
1164-5563
Volume
56
Page
89-94
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
graphs
Language
English
Subject
Banana, Earthworm, Glyphosate, Paraquat, Weed management
Recommended Citation
Fusilero, M.A., Mangubat, J., Ragas, R.E., Baguinon, N., Taya, H., Rasco, E. (2013). Weed management systems and other factors affecting the earthworm population in a banana plantation. European Journal of Soil Biology, 56, 89-94. doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2013.03.002.
Identifier
doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2013.03.002.