The soil ecosystem is made up of several creatures and entities: earthworms, humus, and other microorganisms. These components and entities help the soil to thrive and become suitable for agriculture and other ecological uses.
Earthworms are referred to as the soil engineers; they play a vital role in the movement of resources such as water, nutrients, and air within the soil. These activities help improve the soil structure, improved aeration, and nutrient transportation.
Key Roles Of Earthworms In The Soil
The main roles of earthworms in the soil are:
- Earthworms aerate the soil
- Earthworms moisten the soil, making moisture available for the plants
- Earthworms improve the soil structure, making movement of nutrients, water, and air easy for the plants.
The presence of earthworms in a farm is an indication of the fertility of the soil. In fact, some literature revealed that one of the ways to know whether a soil is fertile is the presence of worm casts in the soil.
In the real sense, the presence of earthworms in the soil boosts the soil fertility, makes the soil properly aerated, and aids the movement of nutrients in the soil, making sustainable nutrients readily available to the plants.
How To Attract Earthworms To The Soil
To attract earthworms to your farm, do the following:
1. Add Organic Matter
Don’t joke with organic matter if you want earthworms in your garden. In fact, organic matter is the first attractant of earthworms to the garden, just like how fruits attract bees. Earthworms feed on organic matter; earthworms stay and reproduce in the soil, which increases their activities and greatly improves the soil health.
You can apply either compost, aged manure, or debris for plants to attract earthworms. Also, it is important to note that applying synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to the soil can impair the existence of earthworms in the soil. These inputs are acidic in nature and can make the soil unfit for earthworms to thrive.
2. Keep the Soil Moist Always
Earthworms need moisture to survive, as their body mass is over 80 percent fluid. Earthworms breathe through their skin, hence, moist soil creates a soothing environment for respiration. Water your garden regularly to keep the soil moist and not waterlogged.
Waterlogged soil makes breathing difficult for earthworms and can lead to their death. In the hot season when the soil is likely to loose moisture rapidly, use mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, hence providing a favorable environment for earthworms.
3. Maintain a Neutral Soil pH (between 6.0 and 7.5)
Earthworms thrive in a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Acidic soil kills earthworms and reduces their population in the soil. Always test the soil pH and avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; these inputs can make the soil acidic and unfit for earthworms to live, feed, and reproduce.
4. Adopt Zero Tillage Land Preparation
Naturally, earthworms are present in the soil, however, your choice of land preparation method will determine the survival of the earthworms in the soil. Earthworms thrive when there is little or no disturbance or manipulation of the soil.
The conventional land preparation method, where a tractor is used alongside plow and harrow implements, disruption earthworm tunnels and harms their population. To conserve the population of earthworms in the soil, adopt the zero tillage land preparation method, wherein the soil is left untouched before planting is done.
Advantages of Earthworms in Soil
- Earthworms create burrows that allow air to penetrate deep into the soil, improving soil oxygenation.
- Earthworms break up compacted soil and improve its structure to allow better water infiltration and root growth.
- Earthworms consume organic matter and recycle nutrients, making them available to plants.
- Earthworm excrement or worm casts are rich in nutrients and microorganisms that enhance soil fertility.
- Earthworm burrows can act as reservoirs for water to improve the soil’s water-holding capacity.
- Earthworms help to stabilize soil with their burrows, this activity reduces erosion and soil loss.
- Earthworms promote microbial activity by providing habitat and food for microorganisms.
- Earthworms stimulate plant growth by improving soil conditions, increasing nutrient availability, and promoting beneficial microbial activity.
- Earthworms help to reduce soil compaction through the burrows they create and improve soil structure.
- Earthworms can contribute to soil carbon sequestration by promoting soil organic matter formation and stabilization.
Disadvantages Of Earthworms In Soil
While earthworms can be of great benefit to the soil and plant growth, here are some disadvantages that are worth mentioning:
- Earthworms weaken the soil structure through excessive burrowing, this activity makes the soil highly susceptible to soil erosion.
- Earthworm feeds on organic matter and available nutrients; there is a possibility of competition between plants and earthworms for these resources.
- Earthworms can accidentally damage plant roots while burrowing, this can reduce nutrient absorption by the roots and impair the growth of the plants.
- High earthworm population can cause soil compaction, making it difficult for air, water, and roots to penetrate.
- Increased Soil pH: Earthworm excrement or casts can increase soil pH, taking it above the level required by the plant, hence impairing plant growth.
- Earthworms can attract pests like moles, voles, and birds, which can damage plants and soil.
- Earthworms can over-aerate the soil, this can make the soil dry out and reduce water retention.
- An increase in the earthworm population can cause microbial imbalance and disrupt soil microbial communities. This can cause poor decomposition of matter and nutrient cycling processes.
Lastly, earthworms will thrive and reproduce in the soil when the soil is moist, contains adequate organic matter, and has a neutral pH. Earthworms help boost the soil fertility, encourage plant growth, and enhance productive soil health where plants can thrive.