The effect upon earthworm populations of very large applications of pig slurry to grassland

Abstract

Applications of pig slurry were made to pasture at frequent intervals over a 4-year period. Earthworm populations were assessed after the last treatments had been applied. Total numbers—and those of deep-burrowing species—were greater on the high-slurry plots (5528 m³ per hectare) than on controls receiving inorganic fertiliser. Approximately 212 kg per hectare of copper and 150 kg per hectare of zinc were applied by this high rate of slurry.