By Winston Muleba JR
Earthworms may lack the charm or excitement of more familiar animals, but their contribution to our world is significant. These ‘lowly creatures’ play a vital part within the natural soil. They are also valued for their contribution to ecosystem functions that are of direct benefit to humans through their action on
soil processes.
Read also: 4 benefits and ideal uses of rainwater that Zambians could adopt
Ecobiz Worm Farm in Lusaka states that when it comes to charm and beauty, earthworms may not score as highly as other garden creatures such as butterflies or birdlife, and while they might not be the most attractive species of wildlife around, this small, unassuming earth dweller is one of the most beneficial organisms that we share this planet with.
Against this background, some people don't like them and don't hesitate to kill them.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), earthworms are extremely important part soil macro-
fauna especially in the upper 15-35cm of soil where their feeding and burrowing activity affects plant growth, nutrient
turnover and seedling development and so have been described as “ecosystem
engineers”.
But identification of earthworms is usually achieved through morphological comparison although DNA based methods
are being developed which is proving useful in identifying juveniles.
FAO further indicates that there are more than 3,000 species of earthworms which
can be separated into two distinct classes based on their feeding strategies – detritivors which feed on plant litter and
mammalian dung (surface feeders) and geophages which feed in the deeper layers of soil on plant material. These two groups can be further subdivided depending on which soil horizon they feed in.
And study on 'using earthworms to improve soil health and suppress diseases' indicates that earthworms fall in three ecological niches: epigeic (upon the earth), endogeic (within the earth) and anecic (up from the earth).
Despite earthowrms having a ugly look, worm farming has caught on at a number of Africa’s well-known hotels and Zambia boasts its own worm culture operation at the Falls Resort in Livingstone.
In addition, a study on 'investigating the toxicity of Cu, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles on earthworms in urban soils' reveals that there is a worm farmer in Mufulira who cultures Eisenia Fedita specie.
The study further reveals that this specie is sensitive, easy to culture and has a relatively short generation time in the laboratory of approximately 4-6 weeks.
Ecobiz Worm Farm also shows that worm farming is a fantastic way to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer. The farm is a proudly Zambian producer and supplier of compost, vermicompost, and composting worms. Ecobiz guarantees that by using conventional composting methods as well as vermiculture (the raising and production of earthworms and their by-products) they transform organic material into compost that is a valuable organic soil conditioner and fertilizer. Their farm products are safe and environmentally friendly and so perfect for use in home and gardens as well as in landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, sports field maintenance, turf management, land reclamation, erosion
control and forestry.
Since farming can involve many soil disturbing activities, understanding the biology and ecology of earthworms and other soil biota can help inform management decisions that may impact soil biota and crop performance. Therefore, among other reasons why you need earthworms in your garden include:-
1. Improved soil nutrient availability
Earthworms help create humus, which is a dark brown-black type of soil that holds important nutrients in place for plant growth and use. The worms feed on plant debris such as manure, grass, leaves and dead roots, as well as the soil.
The digestive system of the worm concentrates the mineral and organic compounds in the food they consume, so their casts become richer in available nutrients than the soil around them – castings are the fertilizer the worms provide AKA, worm poop, derived from their processing of organic waste. Nitrogen in the casts is readily available to plants,
who will be more likely to thrive. When they die, the body of a worm decomposes rather quickly, which further contributes to the nitrogen content of the soil.
A New Zealand study of earthworm casts, found that they release four times more phosphorus than surface soil. They often leave their nutrient-rich casts in their tunnels, which provides a more conducive environment for plant root growth. The tunnels also allow roots to penetrate deeper into the soil, where they can reach extra moisture and nutrients. Earthworm tunneling can also help incorporate surface applied lime and fertilizer into the soil.
2. Better drainage
Earthworms also improve drainage and prevent soil erosion and waterlogging, as their extensive channeling and
burrowing help to loosen and aerate the soil and improve soil drainage. Research has found that soil with earthworms
drain as much as 10 times faster than soil without earthworms. In zero-till soils, where worm populations are high, water infiltration can be up to 6 times greater than in cultivated soils. The tunnels they make also serve, under the influence of rain, as irrigation and gravity, as
passageways for lime and other material. It is the mixing, blending and burrowing the worms do that significantly
improves soil draining while also increasing aeration and
the water holding capacity of the soil.
3. Improved soil structure
The casts of earthworms help to cement the soil particles together. These sticky substances “glue” the mineral particles together in the aggregates and, at the same time, in a kind of mutual relationship, the mineral particles help to protect the organic matter, to some extent, from
microbial attacks, thus preserving it for a longer time in the soil. When your soil has worm castings, they help to improve the structure and fertility of every type of soil,
even on reclaimed land that has little or no topsoil. As the castings are water soluble, they have an immediate positive
impact on plant growth. As it is the soil structure that determines its resistance to erosion and whether future human generations will have any soil at all, it’s easy to see just how important the
earthworms are.
Research conducted on farms found that the most productive pastures contained up to 7 million worms per hectare, weighing 2.4 tons. The research also revealed a close correlation between pasture productivity and total worm weight.
However, if there are few earthworms in the garden it could mean that the soil is compacted or low in organic material. Add chopped leaves, grass clippings, semi-decomposed compost, and animal manure to the garden; these will allow worms to thrive.
If the garden has few or no earthworms, the best way to transfer or attract worms into it is to dig up large chunks of soil or turves (section of matted grass) rich in worms and worm burrows and set them whole in your garden so that new earthworm colonies can get started.
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About the Author:
Winston Muleba Junior is a Researcher, Citizen Journalist, Aquaculturist, Writer and Disaster Management Practitioner who uses media and ICT to promote environmental conservation; science, technology and innovation. He gravitates towards environment: water, aquaculture, land, climate change and agriculture as he is skilled at juxtaposing the latest research and expert opinion with the everyday lives and struggles of people on the ground.
Email: mwenyamuleba@gmail.com
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