Value Of Earthworms
Chemical analyses of parent soil without earthworms and the same soil after being worked by earthworms have shown an increase of the following:-
Chemical Nutrient
Nitrate of Nitrogen Available phosphorus Exchangeable potassium Exchangeable calcium Organic Carbon
% Increase
500 700 1,200 150 200
The earthworm enriches the soil in the process of swallowing it and later expelling it in the form of castings. It takes in the soil, grinds it up, mixes it with calcium carbonate, pulverizes it, sends it on through the intestine to be digested by enzymes and then excreted. The final earthworm casting contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the three elements that vegetables most need.
Chemical fertilizers seem to decrease the number of earthworms in the soil, killing them or driving them off; ammonium sulfate is especially harmful. Many insects sprays are toxic to earthworms.
Earthworms are good soil builders. But you can't put earthworms in infertile or hard clay soils and expect results. Where possible, dig up earthworms from other parts of the yard.
Post a comment