how do you appreciate the role of earthworms in helping farmers
Answers
Explanation:
Earthworms play a major role by helping the farmers in terms of agriculture. They help them by making holes in the soil which improves the structure of the soil, ie, they increase the amount of water and air that gets in the soil. Thus, they are also known as the friends of farmers.
Answer:
Increase organic matter
Earthworms feed on soil and dead or decaying plant remains, including straw, leaf litter and roots. They are the principal agents in mixing dead surface litter with the soil, making the litter more accessible to decomposition by soil microorganisms. Animal dung is also an attractive food for many species of earthworms. The following farming practices provide food for earthworms.
Permanent pasture: Permanent pasture provides organic matter as leaves and roots die and decay. Pasture slashings and manure from grazing animals are also good sources of organic matter in pasture.
Green manure crops: Green manure crops are fodder crops turned into the soil to provide organic matter to benefit the following crop. The crops are grazed or slashed, sometimes pulverised, and then left on the surface or turned into the soil.
Crop stubble: Stubble is an important source of organic matter. Burning stubble destroys surface organic matter, and this affects worm numbers. It is best to leave stubble to rot down, and sow following crops into the stubble using aerial sowing, direct drill or (at least) minimum tillage. All these techniques mean less cultivation, and this also encourages earthworms.
Rotations: Rotating pasture with crops helps build up organic matter levels and earthworm numbers.
Reduce use of some fertilisers and fungicides
Highly acidifying fertilisers such as ammonium sulfate and some fungicides reduce worm numbers. Researchers have found that orchards sprayed with bordeaux or other copper sprays contain few earthworms and have peaty surface mats and poor soil structure.
Keep soil moist
Worms can lose 20% of their body weight each day in mucus and castings, so they need moisture to stay alive. Groundcover such as pasture or stubble reduces moisture evaporation. Decaying organic matter (humus) holds moisture in the soil. In dry times some species burrow deep into the soil and are inactive until rain 'reactivates' them.
Improve drainage
Worms need reasonably aerated soil, so you may need to drain or mound soil in wetter areas to prevent waterlogging.
Reduce soil compaction
It is difficult for earthworms to move through heavily compacted soil, so keep vehicle and animal traffic to a minimum in wet conditions.
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