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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2014, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (33): 120-126.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.2014-0660

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Progress and Prospect of Effect and Mechanism of Earthworm on the Cycle of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen

He Hui1,2, Zheng Huabin2,3, Liu Jianxia1,2, Yao Lin1,2, Huang Huang2,3   

  1. (1College of Bio-science & Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128; 2Observation Station of Crop Cultivation Science in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha 410128;3College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128)
  • Received:2014-03-13 Revised:2014-11-10 Accepted:2014-07-17 Online:2015-01-08 Published:2015-01-08

Abstract: Earthworm, as a large-size soil animal, plays an important role in the cycle of soil carbon and nitrogen. The paper summarized the effect and mechanism of earthworm in the soil carbon and nitrogen cycle such as plant productivity, mineralization and decomposition of organic matter and bio-utilization. The disturbance of earthworms, such as eating soil, feces drilling, and their droppings and secretions produced by the metabolism, improved plant productivity, increased soil carbon stock and the flux of atmospheric-soil, increased biological nitrogen fixation, accelerate the debris and decomposition of the litterfall, accelerated soil nitrogen mineralization and denitrification and reduced soil nitrogen leaching. The research put forward the application prospect of earthworm in the paddy ecosystem and provided some theoretical foundation and guiding significance for the improvement of soil fertility and the sustainable use of soil.