Effects of Earthworms and Bacteria-feeding Nematodes on Soil Quality and Peanut Yield in Upland Red Soil

A pot experiment was conducted to study how soil animals(earthworms and bacteria-feeding nematodes) impact microbial characteristics(microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,basal respiration,microbial quotient,urease and acid phosphatase),soil nutrients(available phosphorus and nitrogen) and peanut yield in upland red soil.Four treatments were designed: no inoculation(CK),inoculated earthworms(E),inoculated bacteria-feeding nematodes(N),inoculated earthworms and nematodes(EN).The results showed that: ①Both earthworms and nematodes increased microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,nematodes contributed more to soil microbial biomass carbon than earthworms;②inoculating soil animal(earthworms and/or nematodes) enhanced soil basal respiration,nematode enhanced more than earthworm,except E treatment in pod filling stage;③ E,N and EN significantly increased soil urease and acid phosphatase activities(P0.05) except in pod setting stage;④ E,N and EN increased soil available phosphorus and available nitrogen;⑤the increase range of peanut yield was 17% to 20% after inoculating soil animal.In conclusion,inoculation of earthworms and nematodes could improve microbiological characteristics,soil fertility of upland red soil and finally increase peanut yield.