@article{fdi:010034039,
  title = {{T}he respective roles of roots and earthworms in restoring physical properties of vertisol under a {D}igitaria decumbens pasture ({M}artinique, {WI})},
  author = {{B}lanchart, {E}ric and {A}lbrecht, {A}lain and {C}hevallier, {T}iphaine and {H}artmann, {C}hristian},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}loping {V}ertisols having large exchangeable sodium contents are erodible. {I}n {M}artinique, {F}rench {W}est {I}ndies, intensive market gardening during 15 years decreased their organic matter content, biological activity (roots, earthworms, mesofauna, microorganisms),



soil porosity, and increased soil losses due to erosion. {C}onversely, old irrigated pastures ({D}igitaria decumbens, {P}angola grass) on these soils maintained organic matter content, biological activity, soil porosity and aggregate stability. {A} research programme was set out in 1991



in the south-eastern part of {M}artinique in order to study the respective roles of grass roots and earthworms in the restoration of the properties of a degraded {V}ertisol. {P}lots with and without plants, with and without earthworms were tested and physical properties were followed



during 4 years and compared with properties existing under market crops and old pastures. {T}he restoration of physical properties was more rapid and more important in treatments with plants than in treatments without plants. {P}lants played a dominant role through rhizosphere



effects and possible carbon rhizodeposition. {T}he effect of earthworms was less important. {E}arthworms particularly increased the stability of aggregates of 200-500 ?m size, and decreased clay dispersion.},
  keywords = {{ERODIBILITE} {DU} {SOL} ; {CONSERVATION} {DU} {SOL} ; {PATURAGE} ; {PLANTE} {FOURRAGERE} ; {POROSITE} ; {RACINE} ; {LOMBRIC} ; {BIOMASSE} ; {STRUCTURE} {DU} {SOL} ; {PROPRIETE} {PHYSIQUE} ; {STABILITE} {STRUCTURALE} ; {AGREGAT} ; {ZONE} {TROPICALE} {HUMIDE} ; {MARTINIQUE}},
  booktitle = {{S}oil processes under pastures in intertropical areas},
  journal = {{A}griculture, {E}cosystems and {E}nvironment},
  volume = {103},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {343--355},
  ISSN = {0167-8809},
  year = {2004},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.agee.2003.12.012},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010034039},
}