Article
Soil Science
Y. Capowiez, T. Leveque, C. Pelosi, L. Capowiez, C. Mazzia, E. Schreck, C. Dumat
Summary: This study demonstrates that there is a positive correlation between the distance from the factory and the abundance of earthworms, as well as the loss of physical soil properties. The development of burrow systems in soil and water infiltration both increase with distance from the factory. The findings suggest the importance of adopting a functional approach to studying the spatial effects of contamination on soil ecological processes and fertility.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Stanko Vrsic, Marko Breznik, Borut Pulko, Jesus Rodrigo-Comino
Summary: The study showed that different soil management practices significantly impact the environmental conditions of the soil, particularly in the upper soil layer (up to 15 cm deep), affecting the abundance of the earthworm community. Some practices need to be adapted according to climate, weather conditions, and human impacts.
Article
Agronomy
Francisco Carlos Almeida de Souza, Mariele Monique Honorato Fernandes, Anderson Prates Coelho, Daniel Pereira Pinheiro, Dilermando Perecin, Carolina Fernandes
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of chiseling in total area and in the planting row on the physical attributes of Oxisol and Ultisol in sugarcane fields. It was found that chiseling in total area was more efficient in reducing soil density and increasing macroporosity in sugarcane interrows, compared to chiseling in the row. The physical quality of soil under row chiseling system was similar to that of soil under total area chiseling system after sugarcane planting, regardless of soil texture.
COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Estefania Velilla, Eleanor Collinson, Laura Bellato, Matty P. Berg, Wouter Halfwerk
Summary: The study found that the vibrational noise generated by wind energy turbines can significantly impact the abundance of soil animals, especially larger earthworms. Furthermore, the vibrational noise has important consequences for soil functioning, potentially affecting processes such as water filtration, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration.
Review
Agronomy
M. A. D. A. L. I. N. A. Iordache
Summary: Earthworms dominate the soil biota and their feeding and casting activities have significant impacts on the microbiological and biogeochemical cycles of the soil. The complexity of chemical relationships within earthworm casts highlights their important contribution to soil sustainability.
PLANT SOIL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mauricio Cruz Mantoani, Fawzah Talal Alhakami, Hannah Fearon, Margherita Gioria, Olaf Schmidt, Bruce Arthur Osborne
Summary: This study found that the invasive plant Gunnera tinctoria can modify soil physicochemical characteristics and litter inputs, leading to changes in the earthworm community. The invaded areas had higher litter inputs, increased soil pH, and lower soil temperatures. These changes were associated with a higher abundance and diversity of earthworms, particularly in spring samples.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Olga Fishkis, Heinz-Josef Koch
Summary: This study investigated the environmental risks of mechanical weed control as an alternative method in row crops in Europe for the first time. The results showed that mechanical weed control did not affect the abundance of earthworms but significantly reduced runoff and soil erosion. It was more effective in crusted soils and had no effect in non-crusted soils.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Hanuman S. Jat, Madhu Choudhary, Suresh K. Kakraliya, Manoj K. Gora, Manish Kakraliya, Vikas Kumar, Priyanka, Tanuja Poonia, Andrew J. Mcdonald, Mangi L. Jat, Parbodh C. Sharma, Ahmed M. Abdallah
Summary: Earthworms can be used as an indicator for soil biology and agri-food system management. The adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices and precision irrigation techniques have positive effects on the abundance of earthworms and the physico-biochemical properties of the soil. Maize-based climate-smart agriculture scenarios using subsurface drip irrigation showed the highest earthworm density and biomass.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Risely Ferraz-Almeida
Summary: Soil quality is crucial for agricultural production, and fragile soil indexes, such as soil porosity and carbon stocks, are important indicators. This study investigates the role of carbon in the distribution of macro and micropores in fine-textured soils under tropical conditions using sugarcane and coffee cultivation.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ENGENHARIA AGRICOLA E AMBIENTAL
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
N. L. Schon, P. M. Fraser, A. D. Mackay
Summary: Earthworms play a crucial role in supporting soil function and ecosystem services, contributing to a soil's natural capital stocks. Increasing earthworm abundance can enhance soil functions, and the ecological diversity of earthworms is essential for optimizing soil functions.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Vicente Navarro, Joel Torres -Serra, Enrique Romero, Laura Asensio
Summary: A hydro-mechanical model of a heterogeneous granular bentonite mixture is presented in this study. The model incorporates the heterogeneity of the mixture by considering the potentially different percentage of megapores and grains in adjacent bentonite unit pairs. Mechanical contact is affected by the heterogeneity, and a strategy based on porosity values is proposed to control deformability.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Elsa Arrazola-Vasquez, Mats Larsbo, Yvan Capowiez, Astrid Taylor, Maria Sandin, Daniel Iseskog, Thomas Keller
Summary: The impact of soil compaction on the burrowing activity of different earthworm species is species-dependent, and it affects important soil processes such as water infiltration, soil aeration, nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter turnover.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Zita Bednar, Anna Vaupel, Simon Bluemel, Nadine Herwig, Bernd Hommel, Verena Haberlah-Korr, Lukas Beule
Summary: Flower strip mixtures with different plant species and durations have varying effects on soil biodiversity and microbial communities. Perennial flower strip mixtures can increase earthworm and soil microbial abundance and diversity, while annual flower strips have limited effects. In addition, non-tilled planting methods are beneficial for the diversity and relative abundance of soil fungi.
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Sofien Benltoufa, Amal Boughattas, Faten Fayala, Hind Algamdy, Ayman Alfaleh, Hes Lubos, Awad Aljuaid
Summary: The study aims to develop a simple model to predict the water vapour permeability of textile fabrics for the purpose of assisting manufacturers in developing comfortable fabrics. The models were validated through geometric modeling of porosity and mathematical calculations based on the principle of water vapour diffusion through textiles.
JOURNAL OF THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Eloi Bareta Junior, Aline Marques Genu, Leandro Rampim, Renan Caldas Umburanas, Cristiano Andre Pott
Summary: Soil compaction can decrease crop yield, and little is known about the critical limits of soil physical properties in subtropical soils. In this study, machine traffic-induced soil compaction reduced maize and black oat yield, while higher macroporosity improved crop yield.
REVISTA CIENCIA AGRONOMICA
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
L. R. Fletcher, S. C. Finch, B. L. Sutherland, G. deNicolo, W. J. Mace, C. van Koten, D. E. Hume
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2017)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. C. Finch, J. B. Vlaming, B. L. Sutherland, C. van Koten, W. J. Mace, L. R. Fletcheryen
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nicole L. Schon, Denis Curtin, Mike H. Beare, Alec D. Mackay, Ross A. Gray, Michael B. Dodd, Chikako van Koten
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Sandra D. Young, Chikako van Koten, Colin W. Gray, Jo Anne E. Cavanagh, Steve A. Wakelin
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Mark Richard McNeill, Chikako van Koten
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Mark Richard McNeill, Chikako van Koten, Stephen Latham Goldson
Summary: This study found that a high proportion of L. bonariensis larvae in irrigated dairy pasture can live externally of tillers, and density estimates based only on tiller populations will significantly underestimate actual numbers.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
R. G. Croy, B. L. Sutherland, D. E. Hume, W. J. Mace, C. van Koten, S. C. Finch
Summary: This study assessed the effects of grazing on sheep infected with tall fescue endophyte on perennial ryegrass. The results showed that compared to the control group, lambs grazing on tall fescue endophyte-infected pasture did not exhibit ryegrass staggers, exacerbated heat stress or suppressed weight gain. This suggests that the tall fescue endophyte AR501 does not produce toxic concentrations of secondary metabolites.
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Emiliano R. Veronesi, David J. Saville, Chikako van Koten, Stephen D. Wratten, Stephen L. Goldson
Summary: The mirid bug Engytatus nicotianae has shown potential as a biocontrol tool against the tomato-potato psyllid (TPP). It can significantly reduce the population and damage caused by TPP. Further research is needed to determine the optimal release configuration.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Stephen L. Goldson, Mark R. McNeill, Malvika Bana, Oluwashola Olaniyan, Alison J. Popay, Barbara I. P. Barratt, Chikako van Koten
Summary: This study examines the impact of invasive pest species on New Zealand's economically vital exotic pastures, specifically the Argentine stem weevil. The research explores the ecology of the adult weevil and its parasitoid control agent, as well as factors affecting sampling accuracy and interpretation of population density and parasitism estimates. The findings reveal the biases in sampling methods and environmental conditions that contribute to the decline in parasitism rates, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in population dynamics assessment.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Emiliano R. R. Veronesi, Stephen D. D. Wratten, Chikako van Koten, Stephen L. L. Goldson
Summary: This study investigates the potential of using a combination of the mirid bug Engytatus nicotianae and the parasitic wasp T. triozae for biological control of the tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) on greenhouse tomato plants. The results show that using only E. nicotianae can reduce the number of TPP-infested leaves, but the reduction in TPP population is not significant. However, the combined treatment of E. nicotianae and T. triozae consistently and significantly reduces the number of TPP-infested leaves and TPP populations. These findings suggest that a combination of these two species may provide effective biological control of TPP under greenhouse conditions.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF CROP AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Morgan W. Shields, Steve D. Wratten, Chikako Van Koten, Craig B. Phillips, Jacquelyn R. Bennett, Stephen L. Goldson
Summary: The study investigated the responses of the Argentine stem weevil to three parasitoid species with different levels of affinity. The weevil exhibited species-specific responses to one of the parasitoids, indicating potential effects of biological control on host-natural enemy interactions.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Alexandra Hodgson, Samuel James Leighs, Chikako van Koten
Summary: This study investigated the composting behaviors of different chemically processed merino apparel fabrics. Dyes had the greatest impact on composting, while other treatments such as bleaching, stain-repellence and shrink-resist had minimal effects. Machine-washable wool showed initial resistance to decomposition compared to untreated wool.
TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Dilani K. Hettiarachchi, Michael Rostas, Jon J. Sullivan, Sarah Jackman, Chikako van Koten, Michael G. Cripps
Summary: This study investigated the phylogenetic pattern of host selection and acceptance by the biocontrol beetle Cassida rubiginosa. The results showed that there was a phylogenetic relationship in the olfactory recognition and preference of the beetle. Under choice conditions, phylogenetic distance was a strong predictor of feeding and oviposition preference. Therefore, the beetle is mainly restricted to feeding on Cirsium and Carduus species, with minimal impact on other Cardueae weeds.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Santanu Deb-Choudhury, Stephen Haines, Duane Harland, Stefan Clerens, Chikako van Koten, Erin Lee, Ancy Thomas, Jolon Dyer
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
David A. Wright, Sue M. Zydenbos, Per Wessman, Maureen O'Callaghan, Richard J. Townsend, Trevor A. Jackson, Chikako van Koten, Sarah Mansfield
BIOCONTROL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2017)