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Effects of Energy Crop Monocultures and Sewage Sludge Fertiliser on Soils and Earthworm Community Attributes

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  • Anna Mazur-Pączka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Grzegorz Pączka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Mariola Garczyńska

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Marcin Jaromin

    (Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, 6 Powstancow Warszawy Avenue, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Edmund Hajduk

    (Department of Soil Science, Chemistry of Environment and Hydrology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 8b, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Joanna Kostecka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Kevin R. Butt

    (School of Natural Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Natural Sciences, Preston PR 1 2HE, UK)

Abstract

Biomass is one of the most significant renewable energy sources. Doubts arise from large-area plantations of energy monocultures, which can lead to the depletion of, and a decrease in, soil biodiversity. Community association analyses of Lumbricidae may help to indicate environmental change. Therefore, the study objectives were to determine the qualitative and quantitative diversity of Lumbricids in plantations of energy crops—basket willow ( Salix viminalis L.), foxglove tree ( Paulownia tomentosa Steud.), and black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—by investigating the following cultivation treatments: SV and SVSS— S. viminalis without ( w / o ) and with the addition of sewage sludge to the soil (+SS); PT and PTSS— P. tomentosa w / o and + SS; RP and RPSS— R. pseudoacacia w / o and +SS; and MW—meadow community. A significantly higher density ( p < 0.05) and biomass ( p < 0.05) of earthworms were found in the SV and SVSS plantations than in other sites. The application of sewage sludge contributed to a significant increase in the mean number and biomass of all Lumbricids within cultivations of S. viminalis and R. pseudoacacia , which were significantly higher than those in the control site. This work suggests that woody energy crop production with an appropriate selection of plants and fertilisation can be a favourable habitat for the development of earthworm populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Mazur-Pączka & Grzegorz Pączka & Mariola Garczyńska & Marcin Jaromin & Edmund Hajduk & Joanna Kostecka & Kevin R. Butt, 2023. "Effects of Energy Crop Monocultures and Sewage Sludge Fertiliser on Soils and Earthworm Community Attributes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:323-:d:1049749
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rowe, Rebecca L. & Street, Nathaniel R. & Taylor, Gail, 2009. "Identifying potential environmental impacts of large-scale deployment of dedicated bioenergy crops in the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 271-290, January.
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