Question

What is the role of earthworms in improving soil fertility?

Answer 1

1. Soil fertility refers to the ability of the soil to sustain plant growth.

2. Fertile soil results in a high yield and better quality of plants.

3. Fertile soil is rich in fundamental elements and minerals, has good aeration, water holding capacity, and good texture.

4. Earthworms play a role in improving soil fertility in the following ways as mentioned below –

1. They make the soil porous by burrowing into it. Porous soil enables better aeration, quick absorption of water, drainage of excess water, disinfection by sunlight, and easy penetration of plant roots
2. They bring the fresh and subsoil to the surface in a finely divided form. This soil forms an ideal medium for the germination of seeds
3. Faeces and nitrogenous wastes eliminated by the earthworms form a very good manure
4. They can drag the decaying fragments of plant parts like the leaves into their burrows and thus add organic matter to the soil. Decaying organic matter forms the humus, which increases soil fertility.
5. They reduce or increase the soil pH and provide optimum conditions for the growth of plants