KOTU SREENIVASULU REDDY AND M.V. SHANTA RAM
Abstract
Studies on native earthworm population dynamics in cultivated soils of Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh collected from five Sugarcane growing locations indicated, higher population in Rebala and Naidupeta locations, while the population was lesser in soils of Kattamanchi; Penullallapalli and Puttur. Earthworms population tended to increase gradually from the month of March to reach highest during September and subsequently the population declined upto the month of February next year. Significantly positive correlation was noticed with earthworm populations and sail fungi, bacteria actinomycetes, soil respiration and soil moisture, soil pH, temperature, organic matter content and C/N ration were not significantly correlating with earthworm population.