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Earthworm ( Eisenia fetida ) Mediated Macropore Network Formation in Black Soil: Decay Straw as a Trigger for Sustainable Tillage

Author

Listed:
  • Baoguang Wu

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

  • Pu Chen

    (College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Yuping Liu

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

  • Zhipeng Yin

    (College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Qiuju Wang

    (Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China)

  • Shun Xu

    (College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Jinsong Zhang

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

  • Bingqi Bai

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

  • Deyi Zhou

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

  • Yuxin Liu

    (College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China)

Abstract

In this study, a method for creating networked macropores through tillage using Eisenia fetida attracted by food sources derived from decomposing straw was proposed. The effects of Eisenia fetida activity and corn stalk addition, as well as the synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis , on macropore formation were systematically studied. A 3D visualization technique was used to render the pore network model. When compared with undisturbed soil, the results demonstrate that cultivation using earthworms attracted by food sources from decomposing straw creates a soil pore structure with the most significant effect. The 3D porosity of the soil increased 6.90-fold, its average pore volume increased 5.49-fold, and its equivalent diameter increased 4.88-fold. Cylindrical pores, which accounted for the largest proportion (4.38%), had a channel radius of 1–5 mm and comprised approximately 86.7% of all macropores. The channel length increased by 28.5%, the average roundness decreased by 2.5%, and the average coordination number increased by 33.3%. The macroporous network structure formed by these earthworm-generated pores was more beneficial for improving the structure of phaeozem, offering technical support for the field application of earthworm farming.

Suggested Citation

  • Baoguang Wu & Pu Chen & Yuping Liu & Zhipeng Yin & Qiuju Wang & Shun Xu & Jinsong Zhang & Bingqi Bai & Deyi Zhou & Yuxin Liu, 2025. "Earthworm ( Eisenia fetida ) Mediated Macropore Network Formation in Black Soil: Decay Straw as a Trigger for Sustainable Tillage," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:13:p:1397-:d:1690200
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Binghe Yan & Yulan Zhang & Shuying Zang & Qiang Chen & Li Sun, 2021. "Distributions of Particle Sizes in Black Soil and Their Environmental Significance in Northeast China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Yan Qu & Chulin Pan & Hongpeng Guo, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Promotion of Conservation Tillage in Black Soil—The Case of Northeast China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-14, August.
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