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Earthworms Effect on Microbial Population and Soil Fertility as Well as Their Interaction with Agriculture Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Nazeer Ahmed

    (Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Swabi 23561, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Khalid Awadh Al-Mutairi

    (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 7149, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Earthworms mix soil layers and bind the soil with organic matter. This combination allows organic matter to disperse through the soil and also allows plants to access the nutrients they retains and enhance the soil’s fertility. Earthworms improve the soil’s biological, chemical, and physical characteristics and serve as soil conditioners. They do so by dissolution, aeration, soil organic breakdown, the release of plant nutrients, and their role in the fastening of nitrogen due to plant growth hormone secretion. However, a variety of soil and environmental factors influence the soil population. Furthermore, it remains uncertain how soil worms modify soil microbial communities’ composition and how they impact the soil’s microbial process. By feeding on microorganisms or selecting and stimulating specific microbial groups, earthworms reduce microbes’ activity and abundance. Earthworms directly impact the plant’s growth and recycling of nutrients but are mainly mediated by indirect microbial community change. Agricultural practices, including the use of pesticides, also contribute to the reduction in soil earthworms. There are no systematic associations among the abundance of earthworms, crop production, and contradictory influence on yield. Earthworms contain hormone-like substances, which encourage the health and growth of plants. This review presents the interaction of earthworms with soil fertility and different agricultural practices, including factors affecting earthworms’ population dynamics in all contexts that enable the adoption of acceptable environmental and earthworms-friendly farming practices for an optimum earthworm, productive, and fertile soil behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Nazeer Ahmed & Khalid Awadh Al-Mutairi, 2022. "Earthworms Effect on Microbial Population and Soil Fertility as Well as Their Interaction with Agriculture Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7803-:d:848653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Kennedy & John Cuddihy & Joshua Engel‐Yan, 2007. "The Changing Metabolism of Cities," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 11(2), pages 43-59, April.
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    1. Irena Bertoncelj & Anže Rovanšek & Robert Leskovšek, 2025. "Positive Effects of Reduced Tillage Practices on Earthworm Population Detected in the Early Transition Period," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, August.

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