@article{fdi:010049686,
  title = {{E}ffects of earthworms on soil properties and rice production in the rainfed paddy fields of {N}ortheast {T}hailand},
  author = {{C}hoosai, {C}. and {J}ouquet, {P}ascal and {H}anboonsong, {Y}. and {H}artmann, {C}hristian},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{E}arthworms play an important role in soil fertility because of their effects on soil properties, and especially the creation of casts that usually have different properties than the surrounding soil. {I}f the influence of earthworms on soil properties and plant growth has been extensively studied in aerobic ecosystems, their effects remain largely unknown in partially flooded environments such as paddy fields. {T}he aim of this study was to describe the potential influence of earthworms on soil properties and rice yield in {N}ortheast {T}hailand. {W}e studied the abundance of aboveground casts produced by {D}rawida beddardi in two paddy rice systems (transplanting: {TP} and direct seeding: {DS}) and we measured the soil physicochemical properties of casts and their influence on rice growth and yield. {C}ast abundance was low (similar to 250 casts per ha) and not different in {TP} and {DS}. {C}asts appeared as patches of fertility with more fine particle sizes and organic matter contents, a higher {CEC}, as well as a much higher concentrations of mineral elements ({N}, {P} and {K}). {A}s a consequence, our results suggest that earthworm activity lead to a significant higher rice yield. {T}hese results stress the importance earthworms could have in the regulation of rice productivity in paddy fields. {M}ore research is now needed to understand the ecological mechanisms that regulate earthworm abundance and activity in these environments.},
  keywords = {{E}arthworm ; {C}asts ; {R}ice growth ; {P}addy field ; {T}hailand},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}pplied {S}oil {E}cology},
  volume = {45},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {298--303},
  ISSN = {0929-1393},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.05.006},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049686},
}