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EARTHWORMS AND CROP PRODUCTION

          Earthworms are the name commonly applied to the larger earth dwelling annelid worms. They are common throughout the world.  As Charles Darwin was able to show many years ago, earthworms play an important part not only in actual soil formation, but increased plant growth as well.  Healthy earthworm populations can bring 7 to 18 tons of soil per acre to the soil’s surface annually.  This causes rocks to sink and adds 1 inch of new topsoil every 10 years.  Earthworms will burrow several feet deep following soil moisture, breaking up soil hardpan layers as they go.

           Earthworms feed primarily on decaying plant residue and organic matter, either consuming it directly, or extracting it from the soil as it passes though their bodies.  Their excretions are deposited on the soil surface as castings.  These castings are richer in available plant nutrients than the soil itself.  Analysis of these castings show them to contain many times more calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, than the surrounding soil.  Earthworms, along with beneficial microorganisms, can break down crop residue into organic matter and finally into humus.  Crop residue now become a source of nutrients for the plant to use instead of a disposal problem for the farmer.

           According to Dr. Ed Berry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture Entomologist, “Earthworms are a natural form of tillage.  Earthworms can increase the rate at which water filters into the ground by four times, versus fields that don’t have earthworms”.  Earthworms are valuable to crop production because they loosen and separate the soil.

           Abundant earthworm populations are a sign of fertile soils.  Farmers recognize the benefits of earthworms, but few have healthy earthworm populations in their fields.  Many farmers haven’t seen earthworm activity in their fields in the last 20 to 40 years. Why?

           Earthworms are sensitive to unfavorable soil conditions.  They are also extremely sensitive to strongly acid soils, or soils with high salt content. In fact, many strong salt-based fertilizers and pesticides commonly used today will kill them.  As the farmer uses more chemicals in order to produce a crop, he is creating an environment that will not support a healthy earthworm population, as well as many other beneficial microorganisms.

Can we restore earthworms back into our agricultural land?

           Although it may have been years since you have seen earthworms in your fields, there is still hope.  Earthworm eggs are still present in most soils, and are viable even after 40 years.  These eggs will not hatch until soil conditions are suitable for earthworms to survive.  Once the environment is suitable, the earthworm eggs will hatch, and a new earthworm population begins.  A suitable environment for earthworms must be moist and contain ample crop residues for the earthworms to feed on.

           Dr. Clive Edward, Ohio State University, adds that manure and crop residue will help boost earthworm populations.  “Populations can double in a year with good organic matter”.  Excessive cultivation and certain herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers should be avoided in crop production if high earthworm populations are desired.

           Continuous use of Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer will knock down and destroy even healthy earthworm populations.  According to Dr. Edwards, high soil fertility favors earthworms in an indirect way.  Increased soil fertility increases crop yields, which in turn creates more crop residue for earthworms. The more earthworms present, the higher the fertility of the soil.

           Let Kozgro, Inc. show you how to bring earthworms and other beneficial microorganisms back into your soil by using their organic fertilizer and plant food while saving you money.

KOZGRO WORKS WITH NATURE - NOT AGAINST NATURE