Effect of Soil Physical State on the Earthworms in Hungary

Table 4

Relationship between the soil clay content, soil state, and earthworm count, under maize (1994–1999, June [34]).

Clay %, v/v			Rank of soil states based on earthworm counts
30	50	60
Earthworm count per m^2 (0–20 cm)
26	36	28	(1) Undisturbed soil, loosened to a depth of 45 cm, covered to an extent of 55%
25	34	26	(2) Soil loosened down to 40 cm, covered up to 35% (plant residue mixed in the soil: 3 t ha^-1)
24	30	26	(3) Soil tilled with cultivator to a depth of 18–22 cm, under 35% coverage (plant residue mixed in the soil: 3 t ha^-1)
21	26	23	(4) Soil tilled with cultivator to a depth of 16–18 cm, under 20% coverage (plant residue mixed in the soil: 3 t ha^-1)
16	22	16	(5) Soil ploughed to a depth of 22–25 cm (plant residue inverted to the soil: 5 t ha^-1)
16	20	9	(6) Undisturbed, uncovered, settled soil (field residues removed)
6	10	7	(7) Soil ploughed to a depth of 22–25 cm (plant residues removed)
0	0	0	(8) Plough pan and disk pan
1.786	1.908	1.216	LSD5%