Ratsiatosika O. auteur aut IRD Razafindrakoto M. auteur aut IRD Razafimbelo T. auteur aut IRD Rabenarivo M. auteur aut IRD Becquer Thierry auteur aut IRD Bernard Laetitia auteur aut IRD Trap Jean auteur aut IRD Blanchart Eric auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m(-2) or were not inoculated (EW0). Inoculation was tested in three cropping systems: conservation agriculture (CA) and traditional tillage with or without residues restitution. Soil and plant properties were measured during the first three years while soil biological properties were assessed at the fourth year. At the end of the experiment, earthworm density was three-fold higher in EW+ than in EW0, demonstrating the success of the inoculation. Earthworm density was more important in CA than in tillage systems. Earthworm inoculation had higher significant effects on soil and plant properties than cropping systems. Earthworm inoculation had positive effects on soil macroaggregation (+43%), aboveground biomass (+27%), rice grain yield (+45%), and N grain amount (+43%). Intensifying earthworm activity in field conditions to meet the challenge of ecological transition is supported by our study. specialized Pontoscolex corethrurus soil ecological intensification Ferralsols soil macroaggregates rice growth rice yield MADAGASCAR 074 076 068 11 1 60 [14 ] 2021 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010080635 10.3390/agriculture11010060 [F B010080635] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010080635 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers21-02/010080635.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2021-03-10 2025-02-24 fdi:010080635 fre