Question

Why is earthworm considered a farmer's friend? Explain humification and mineralisation occurring in a decomposition cycle.

Answer 1

An earthworm is commonly called as farmer's friend as they provide many advantages and services of value for the crops.

• They help in the formation of vermicompost as when they eat, they leave behind castings that are a very valuable type of fertilizer. They cause fragmentation of the dead organic matter.
• They increase the amount of air and water that gets into the soil, facilitating aeration and increasing drainage.
• By fragmentation, they break down organic matter like leaves, grass into simpler materials.
• They bring down organic matter from the top ground levels and mix it with the soil below, increasing nutrient availability.