Effects of tillage and fertilization on some selected physical properties of soil (0-30 cm depth) and on the root growth dynamic of winter barley (Hordeum vulgate cv. Niki)

The root mass of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Niki) at growth stages 5, 9 and 16 of the Feekes scale increased from 100% (0.272 mg cm-3 soil) to 132% and 139%, respectively. Root mass was always greater in no-tillage (NT) plots than in ploughed-tillage (CT) plots and was also greater where manure was applied in comparison to plots without manure. The root density at growth stages 5, 9 and 16 over all treatments was 0.197, 0.224 and 0.238 cm cm -3 soil, respectively. At growth stage 5, the root density in NT plots was 9% greater than that in CT plots, and in rotary hoed (MT) plots it was 3% greater. At this same growth stage, soil fertilization with NP, farmyard manure (30 t ha-1) and NP plus farmyard manure improved the root density of barley by up to 5, 10 and 11%, respectively, in comparison with control plots. The diameter of barley roots was clearly biggest in CT plots, while in NT plots the thinnest roots were found. The mean diameter was 0.63, 0.75 and 0.78 mm at growth stages 5, 9 and 16, respectively (over all treatments). Significant correlation coefficients were found between root density (RD) and the soil properties bulk density (BD), porosity (P), penetration resistance (PR) and mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD). For example, the highest r values were as follows: At growth stage 5, r=0.95 (P < 0.001) for P and r=0.86 (P < 0.001) for MWD; at growth stage 9, r=-0.97 (P < 0.001) for PR and r=0.96 (P < 0.001) for P, and finally at growth stage 16, r=0.97 (P < 0.001) for P and r=-0.97 (P < 0.001) for PR

Collagen distribution in the tissue of the earthworm octodrilus complanatus: (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

Octodrilus complanatus (Lumbricidae) is a relatively large earthworm species widespread in the Hellenic territory and beyond. The main objective of our study was the histological description of O. complanatus and the determination of collagen distribution in its tissues. The histological study was carried out by means of hematoxylineosin staining in paraffin sections. The distribution of collagen was examined by histochemical techniques: CAB and Trichrom masson. The paraffin sections were examined by a light microscope after staining and the internal organs of the earthworm (alimentary canal, nervous, excretory, circulatory, and reproductive systems) were described. Most of the collagen was found in the cuticle, in the muscles under the epidermis and in the nervous system. © Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg

An annotated checklist of earthworms of Greece (Clitellata: Megadrili)

Szederjesi, Tímea, Vavoulidou, Evangelia, Chalkia, Christina, Dányi, László, Csuzdi, Csaba (2017): An annotated checklist of earthworms of Greece (Clitellata: Megadrili). Zootaxa 4272 (1): 57-82, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4272.1.

The effects of farming practices on earthworm dynamics in olive groves of central Greece (Oligochaeta)

We compared species richness, species composition, density and biomass of earthworm communities in organically and conventionally managed olive groves in central Greece. Earthworm biomass and density was significantly higher (p<0.05) in organic olive groves than in conventional olive groves. The highest species richness was recorded in the organic olive groves. Six species were recorded in total: Octodrilus complanatus, O. croaticus, Dendrobaena byblica, D. veneta, Aporrectodea caliginosa, and Microscolex phosphoreus. Only four of these were found in conventional olive groves, where D. veneta and M phosphoreus were absent. The most abundant species were O. complanatus, D. veneta, and D. byblica

Species Richness and Density of Earthworms in Relation to Soil Factors in Olive Orchard Production Systems in Central Greece

Earthworms can be used as bioindicators of soil management as they are easy to classify and very sensitive to changes of both physical and chemical soil parameters. The aim of this work was to study relations between earthworm species (richness and density) and the physicochemical soil properties such as pH, organic matter, soil moisture, and texture (percentages of sand, silt, and clay) under different farming practices (organic and conventional) in olive groves in central Greece. The data revealed significantly greater values of earthworm species richness, density, soil organic matter, and moisture in the organic olive groves than in the conventional ones. Furthermore, total earthworm density was positively correlated to earthworm Shannon diversity index, soil moisture, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in organic olive groves. However, total earthworm density was negatively correlated to soil pH and silt in conventional olive groves. It can be concluded that species richness and density of earthworms in olive groves can be considered as sensitive indicators of management practices

The effects of farming practices on earthworm dynamics in olive groves of central Greece

We compared species richness, species composition, density and biomass of earthworm communities in organically and conventionally managed olive groves in central Greece. Earthworm biomass and density was significantly higher (p<0.05) in organic olive groves than in conventional olive groves. The highest species richness was recorded in the organic olive groves. Six species were recorded in total: Octodrilus complanatus, O. croaticus, Dendrobaena byblica, D. veneta, Aporrectodea caliginosa, and Microscolex phosphoreus. Only four of these were found in conventional olive groves, where D. veneta and M. phosphoreus were absent. The most abundant species were O. complanatus, D. veneta, and D. byblica. © Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg

Effects of aluminum and moisture levels on aluminum bioaccumulation and protein content in the earthworm Octodrilus complanatus

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soil aluminum levels and moisture content on aluminum (Al) bioaccumulation and protein content in the earthworm (Octodrilus complanatus). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with 2 factors (aluminum content [C-0: 0 mg kg(-1), C-1: 1000 mg kg-1, C-2: 2000 mg kg(-1), C-3: 3000 mg kg(-1)] and moisture level [M1: 100% of soil water capacity, M2: 60% of soil water capacity] and 3 replications. The lowest pH was noted in the C-0 treatment. There were no significant differences in the electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity or total nitrogen in soil between the aluminum treatments. Moreover, there were no significant differences in soil properties between the moisture treatments. The highest soil Al content was noted in the C-3 treatment. No earthworm mortality was observed in soil contaminated with Al. Moreover, the highest aluminum content in earthworms was observed in the C-3 treatment. The aluminum content in the earthworms was significantly positively correlated with the aluminum content in the soil (r=0.984***, p<0.001). Our results indicated that the growth of earthworms was affected by the Al level. Lastly, Al caused a reduction in earthworm protein content

FOOTPRINT, an EU project for pesticide risk assessment and management.

FOOTPRINT was a research project in the 6th Framework Programme which developed a suite of three pesticide risk prediction and management tools, for use by three different end-user communities: - farmers and extension advisors at the farm scale; - water managers at the catchment scale; and - policy makers/registration authorities at the national/EU scale. The tools were based on state-of-the-art knowledge of processes, factors and landscape attributes influencing pesticide fate in the environment and integrate innovative components that allow users to: - identify the dominant contamination pathways and sources of pesticide contamination in the landscape; - estimate pesticide concentrations in local groundwater resources and surface water abstraction sources; - make scientifically-based assessments of how the implementation of mitigation strategies will reduce pesticide contamination of adjacent water resources. The three tools share the same overall philosophy and underlying science and therefore provide a coherent and integrated solution to pesticide risk assessment and risk reduction at the various scales. The tools developed within FOOTPRINT allow stakeholders to make consistent and robust assessments of risk of contamination to water bodies relevant to management, mitigation and regulation (i.e. field/farm, catchment and national/EU). In particular, they allow pesticide users to assess whether their pesticide practices ensure the protection of local water bodies, and provide site-specific mitigation recommendations. The FOOTPRINT tools are expected to make a direct contribution to the revision of the Council Directive 91/414/EEC, the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the future Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.Non peer reviewe

Le projet européen FOOTPRINT – vers des outils d'évaluation et de gestion du risque pesticides à différentes échelles

FOOTPRINT was a research project in the 6th Framework Programme which developed a suite of three pesticide risk prediction and management tools, for use by three different end-user communities: - farmers and extension advisors at the farm scale; - water managers at the catchment scale; and - policy makers/registration authorities at the national/EU scale. The tools were based on state-of-the-art knowledge of processes, factors and landscape attributes influencing pesticide fate in the environment and integrate innovative components that allow users to: - identify the dominant contamination pathways and sources of pesticide contamination in the landscape; - estimate pesticide concentrations in local groundwater resources and surface water abstraction sources; - make scientifically-based assessments of how the implementation of mitigation strategies will reduce pesticide contamination of adjacent water resources. The three tools share the same overall philosophy and underlying science and therefore provide a coherent and integrated solution to pesticide risk assessment and risk reduction at the various scales. The tools developed within FOOTPRINT allow stakeholders to make consistent and robust assessments of risk of contamination to water bodies relevant to management, mitigation and regulation (i.e. field/farm, catchment and national/EU). In particular, they allow pesticide users to assess whether their pesticide practices ensure the protection of local water bodies, and provide site-specific mitigation recommendations. The FOOTPRINT tools are expected to make a direct contribution to the revision of the Council Directive 91/414/EEC, the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the future Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.Non peer reviewe