The Simulated Experimental Design and Study of the Synergistic Treatment of Chicken Manure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Residues on Earthworm Growth and Soil Quality

¹ International Sakharov Environmental Institute of Belarusian State University, 220070 Minsk, Belarus
² All-Russian research Institute of Physiology, Biochemistry and Nutrition of animals – branch of the Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L. K. Ernst, 249013, Borovsk, Russian Federation
³ Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Bioresources, 220070, Minsk, Republic of Bel-arus

^* Corresponding author: ly15993087502@163.com

Abstract

Annelids conspicuously exert influence upon soil physicochemical attributes through their alimen-tary, burrowing, and excretion endeavors, thereby imparting ramifications upon soil erosion phenomena. Nev-ertheless, comprehension of the particular repercussions stemming from annelid activities vis-à-is soil erosion remains circumscribed. The primary objective of this investigation was to scrutinize the synergistic ramifica-tions of gallinaceous fecal matter and remnants of traditional Chinese medicinal substances on annelid prolif-eration and soil characteristics within a simulated experiment. In order to gauge the impact of annelid activities upon soil hydric distribution, runoff velocity, and soil erosion, a laboratory-simulated precipitation experiment was executed across three incline gradients (5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees), featuring a uniform pre-cipitation intensity of 80 mm/h and a 60-minute precipitation duration post-runoff initiation. Findings evinced that annelids significantly heightened soil hydric infiltration and retention. In tanks inhabited by annelids, the increments in soil hydric retention were 93%, 51%, and 70% more elevated than those in control plots at incline gradients of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees, respectively. Comparatively, earthworm activities led to a 70% reduction in runoff rate at a 5-degree slope, a 13% reduction at 10 degrees, and a 39% reduction at 15 degrees. However, soil erosion rates increased by 42% and 46% at slope gradients of 10 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively. Earthworms, through their feeding and burrowing activities, not only enhanced soil water infil-tration but also mitigated surface runoff while contributing to increased soil erosion. This research proffers invaluable perspicacity regarding the influence of subterranean fauna on the vicissitudes of soil erosion pro-cesses, furnishing empirical evidence amenable for assimilation into extant soil erosion simulation paradigms or as a substratum for the construction of nascent models.