Seasonal density of earthworm fauna inhabiting vegetable   fields near Buddha Nullah,  district Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Sureakha Koul; D K Kocher

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

Seasonal density of earthworm fauna inhabiting vegetable fields near Buddha Nullah, district Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Sureakha Koul, D K Kocher

Abstract :

 The present study was aimed to explore the diversity, distribution and seasonal population density of earthworms inhabiting vegetable crop fields in the vicinity of Buddha Nullah. Fortnightly collection of earthworms from the vegetable fields at four selected villages adjoining Buddha Nullah and reference fields at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus from March 2013 to Feuary 2014 indicated the presence of three species of earthworms belonging to family Megascolecidae these were Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant), Metaphire peguana (Rosa) and Lampito mauritii Kinberg. All these species showed their significant abundance during rainy season (July to October 2013) at all the sites. During the rainy season soil moisture content was found to be highest (ranging from 28.10 to 32.73%) along with higher contents of organic matter and organic carbon. Soil pH was towards alkaline nature (7.87 to 8.79) throughout the study areas. All the soil parameters studied showed statistically non– significant difference at sites selected near Buddha Nullah and the reference site at PAU