Effects of long-term tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivation on the earthworm populations in northern Iran

The earthworms’ abundance is usually one of the main indicators healthy and productive soils. However, agricultural management practices affect earthworm population activities. Although there a lot information that shows relation between land use/land cover change earthworms activity, very little known about these effects under tea cultivation. Thus current study was done to determine long-term cultivation on earthworm’s in plantations Iran distinguish soil properties concerning earthworms. Hence, 58 locations cultivations were randomly selected Guilan Mazandaran province. Earthworm sampled by manually excavating sorting four 30×30 cm pits 30 deep each location. Earthworms enumerated field taken lab for identification. Once identified, will dry oven at 60oC 48h weight registers. Some physicochemical mineral soils determined laboratory. finding indicated only observed two from locations: Bazkiagorab (Lahijan) Shekarposhteh (Tonekabon). Three species as Perelia kaznakovi, Aporrectodea trapezoides, Dendrobaena veneta recorded but P. kaznakovi identified Shekarposhteh. total all 22 3 m-2 Shekarposhteh, respectively. Results analysis showed 35% 51% had pH less than4.5 organic carbon than2%, Available phosphorus potassium 80% 65% than 25 150 mg/kg, It can be concluded monoculture negative effect population, addition, it has strongly acidified soil. recommended native nitrogen-fixing trees mixed planted with tea, more attention should paid nutrient Best Management Practices plantations.