Abstract
Abstract Background and aim Plant pathogenic and mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species are globally widespread and lead to large annual yield losses in maize production (ecosystem disservice). Systems with reduced tillage and mulching are particularly under threat. In the present study, the bioregulatory performance (ecosystem service) of the common earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris was analysed regarding the suppression of three economically relevant Fusarium species, and the reduction of their mycotoxins in the maize mulch layer, taking into account the size of maize residues. Methods A mesocosm field experiment was conducted in a reduced tillage long-term field trial on loam soil. Artificially Fusarium -infected maize residues of two size classes were used as a mulch layer. Impacts of the earthworm species on DNA amounts of Fusarium graminearum , F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides and concentrations of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were analysed. Results The results reflect that Fusarium regulation by L. terrestris was species-specific and covered the whole spectrum from suppression ( F. graminearum ) to slight promotion ( F. verticillioides ). Regarding the mycotoxins, a significant acceleration of the degradation of all three toxins was detected. Fine chopping of the chaff (< 2 cm) did not significantly alter the earthworms’ regulatory capacity. Conclusion While L. terrestris can shift the ecosystem service/disservice balance in both directions with respect to Fusarium regulation, it shifts it towards ecosystem services with respect to mycotoxin degradation. In synergy with adapted agricultural management, this natural bottom-up effect can help to keep soils healthy for sustainable production in the long run.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
L. terrestris suppressed F. graminearum in maize mulch.
- Taxon
- F. graminearum
_on_Corn_(Zea_mays)_at_Waimea%2C_Hawaii.jpg?width=60)
Fusarium graminearume0 - Treatment
- L. terrestrise0
- Interactor
- F. graminearumFusarium graminearume0pathogen
- Second interactor
- L. terrestris
.jpg?width=60)
Lumbricus terrestrise0biocontrol_agent - Outcome
- Fusarium regulatione0
- Direction
- suppressione0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_on_Corn_(Zea_mays)_at_Waimea%2C_Hawaii.jpg?width=500)
.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“Fusarium regulation by L. terrestris was species-specific and covered the whole spectrum from suppression ( F. graminearum ) to slight promotion ( F. verticillioides )”
Claim · model-written summary
L. terrestris slightly promoted F. verticillioides in maize mulch.
- Taxon
- F. verticillioides
Fusarium verticillioidese0 - Treatment
- L. terrestrise0
- Interactor
- F. verticillioidesFusarium verticillioidese0pathogen
- Second interactor
- L. terrestrisLumbricus terrestrise0biocontrol_agent
- Outcome
- Fusarium regulatione0
- Direction
- slight promotione0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Fusarium regulation by L. terrestris was species-specific and covered the whole spectrum from suppression ( F. graminearum ) to slight promotion ( F. verticillioides )”
Claim · model-written summary
Earthworms significantly accelerated degradation of all three measured mycotoxins in maize mulch.
- Treatment
- earthworm speciese1
- Interactor
- Lumbricus terrestrisLumbricus terrestrist0biocontrol_agent
- Outcome
- degradation of all three toxinse0
- Direction
- acceleratione0
Not reportedTaxonComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Regarding the mycotoxins, a significant acceleration of the degradation of all three toxins was detected.”
e1“Impacts of the earthworm species on DNA amounts of Fusarium graminearum , F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides and concentrations of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were analysed.”
t0“Lumbricus terrestris”
Claim · model-written summary
Fine chopping maize chaff below 2 cm did not significantly alter earthworm regulatory capacity.
- Taxon
- Lumbricus terrestrisLumbricus terrestrist0
- Treatment
- Fine chopping of the chaff (< 2 cm)e0
- Outcome
- earthworms’ regulatory capacitye0
- Direction
- did not significantly altere0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Fine chopping of the chaff (< 2 cm) did not significantly alter the earthworms’ regulatory capacity.”
t0“Lumbricus terrestris”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude that the earthworm effect combined with adapted management can support healthy soils and sustainable production.
- Outcome
- keep soils healthy for sustainable productione0
- Qualifier
- In synergy with adapted agricultural managemente0
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“In synergy with adapted agricultural management, this natural bottom-up effect can help to keep soils healthy for sustainable production in the long run.”
t0“maize”