THE ROLE OF EARTHWORMS IN SOIL STRUCTURE, NUTRIENTS CYCLE AND VERMICOMPOSTING

Usman Bawa, Ahmadu Bukar, Yahaya Abdullahi, Ado Samuel

Abstract


Earthworms can alter soil environment by changing soil properties. They have great potentiality to enhance soil physical properties, mineralization of nutrients, heavy metals bioavailability, and land remediation. Similarly, many studies have shown that organic matter inputs in compost or vermicompost produced in the presence of earthworms are valuable soil amendments which increased plant growth. Earthworms are now widely being use as waste mangers, composting of food and farm wastes, and soil mangers for “fertility improvementâ€. However, very little is known about the negative effects of earthworms in the soil ecosystem, their role in extreme environmental conditions and species of earthworms with strong resistance to heavy metals. So this paper was reviewed to explore the role of earthworm as soil and ecosystem engineer. This was already established fact but main aim of this paper is to collect the related information and conclude the future research prospects to strengthen the earthworm role as soil and ecosystem engineer. We also recommend the use of earthworms and vermicomposting in Nigeria, for effective waste management and soil amendments.

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References


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