Question

Earthworms are called ‘friends of farmers’ because they
A. Are delicious and are used as food
B. Are not harmful to them
C. Are used as bait for fishing for them
D. Help in soil fertility by increasing amount of clay and nitrogenous compound

Answer 1

Hint: Vermicompost is a mixture of veggies or food waste, bedding materials and vermicast by different types of worms usually earthworms. It is a type of organic fertilizer.

Complete Answer:
- An earthworm is an invertebrate in the earth which is part of Opisthopora. They have a tube within one tube body plan, are externally segmented, and are usually set up on all segments. They are present where water, soil, and temperature allow.
- Because of the multitude of the services they provide that boost soil health and thus plant health, Earthworms are regarded as farmers' best friends.
- The soil's earthworm density is a good indicator of healthy soil as it increases many soil attributes including structure, water holding capacity, humidity, etc. and also increases the availability of nutrients and the degradation of the residues of pesticides.
- The soil also nurtures other species, which can contribute to devastating plant diseases, as well as a habitat for crops. Research has shown that organic matter composted with earthworm, also known as vermicompost, has suppressive properties for diseases.
- The earthworms loosen the soil and add humus to it. Therefore they are called the friends of farmers.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. i.e., Help in soil fertility by increasing the amount of clay and nitrogenous compounds.

Note: Earthworms turn the soil and loosen it for proper aeration. They also provide humus to the soil through vermicomposting. Research has shown that vermicompost has suppressive properties for diseases.