Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Pankaj Kumar Yadav and Nongmaithem Shitaljit Singh

Abstract:
Earthworms combine the various soil layers and add organic material to the soil. This combination increases the fertility of the soil by allowing organic matter to spread throughout the soil and allowing plants to access the nutrients which are stored. The earthworm works as soil conditioners by enhancing the soil biological, chemical, and physical properties. They accomplish this through a variety of processes, including aeration, soil organic matter breakdown, the release of plant nutrients, and their part in the accelerated uptake of nitrogen as a result of plant growth hormone secretion. The population of the soil is affected by a wide range of soil and environmental conditions. In addition, it is still unknown how soil worms alter the makeup of soil microbial communities and how they affect the microbial activity of the soil. Earthworms lower microbe activity and abundance by consuming microorganisms or by choosing and promoting particular microbial groupings. Although primarily mediated by indirect microbial community change, earthworms have a direct impact on the plant's development and recycling of nutrients. The decrease in soil earthworms is partly a result of agricultural activities, especially the usage of pesticides. There are no established links between the prevalence of earthworms, crop productivity, and opposing effects on yield. Hormone-like compounds found in earthworms support plant development and health. This review discusses how earthworms interact with soil fertility and various agricultural techniques, including variables affecting earthworm population dynamics in all situations that allow the adoption of environmentally friendly and earthworm-friendly farming techniques for an ideal earthworm, productive, and fertile soil behaviour.