Soil Science Commons^™

Effect Of Stubble Mulching On Number And Activity Of Earthworms, S. P. Teotia, F. L. Duley, T. M. Mccalla

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

A survey of earthworm population under different cropping systems was made under stubble mulch farming and where the residue was plowed under. The influence of earthworms on some of the important physical and biological properties of the soil was studied. Their role in the decomposition of crop residues was also determined.

Microorganisms And Soil Structure, T. M. Mccalla

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

SUMMARY

Laboratory tests were made to determine the effectiveness of different compounds and microbial groups in increasing the stability of Peorian loess lumps against the action of falling water drops. The influence of these on percolation tests in the laboratory was also determined.

Many organic substances-dextrose, sucrose, starch, peptone, cullulose, and gum arabic-did not themselves contribute directly to soil-structure stability, though these substances do furnish energy material for soil microorganisms, which can convert them readily into either microbial tissue or decomposition products that increase soil-structure stability. Lignin, proteins, oils, fats, waxes, resin, and paraffin increased the stability of lumps of …