Purpose:Earthworms are key regulators and the utmostdynamicsoil-dwellingcreaturesof soil biota in terms of biomass and are crucial for maintaining soil fertility and soil health.This research focused on theacquisition of first-hand material regarding seasonal and ecological distribution of epigeal type of earthworms and statistically correlating soil fertility and earthworm faunaabundance in themango orchards of Multan and Bahawalpur districts of Pakistan. \nMethodology:A total of 20 sampling sites were selectedand samples of soil (0-15 cm depth) including earthworms in 1m2area weredug out with the help of spade and scraper very carefully to avoid any damage to earthwormsfrom different ecological zones in mango orchards,i.e., grasses, mango leaf litter, citrus nursery, shallow fields with less vegetative cover and from intercropping of oat and wheat soils.Three-factor, a factorial ANOVA was applied to the collected data by taking vegetation types, seasons and locations as variables. The mean values were compared with least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of significance.\nResult:Data revealed the presence of two earthworm species, viz.,Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. The population densityof Lumbricus terrestriswas 459 m-2andthat of Eisenia fetidawas 419 m-2. The population of both species varied significantly with the changes in ecology and season. Eisenia fetida was dominant and widely distributed in the ecology of mango leaf litter, while itsabundance was lower in shallow fields. Their abundance was increased during the rainy season (July to September).The overall average population density of Lumbricus terrestris was highest (111.92 m-2) during the whole year at both locations Bahawalpur as well as in Multan than Eisenia fetida(105.42 m-2). \nConclusion: The abundance of Eisenia fetidaand its activity, behavior and population in different habitats of District Multan and Bahawalpur during July-August entirely depended on an amalgamation of recorded factors, i.e., soil type, temperature and moisture. Research advancement in this realm is imperative to ascertain and develop the technology to exploit these earthworm species in the improvement of soil to accentuate agricultural production through vermicomposting technology.

Login to Download PDF

Please login with your Paper ID and password to access the full PDF.

🔑 Login to Download