Forget soil tests. Earthworms may be the key to knowing if the soil in a farmer’s field is healthy.
Scientists at the Agriculture Canada Research Centre in Lethbridge are launching a project to see if there’s a connection between the number and kinds of earthworms in a field and what farmers are doing with the fields.
“The idea is farmers can use earthworms to monitor the biological activity of the soil,” said Jill Clapperton of the Rhizosphere Ecology Research Group.
“Too often we ignore our soils. Farmers can turn over a few shovel fulls and assess what they’re doing themselves.”
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Earthworms are an ideal gauge of farming practices because they’re sensitive to change, said Clapperton.
Scientific information on earthworms is limited, but scientists know when a farmer switches from conventional tillage to no-till, the earthworm population of a field goes from “almost nothing to outstanding” in two years.
“They respond very quickly to change.”
Researchers have also learned anhydrous ammonia can be disastrous to earthworms and that the worms are sensitive to fungicides.
While it’s too early to say how each farming practice affects the worms, preliminary work in Prince Edward Island shows worms react differently when liquid dairy manure or composted manure is applied to fields.
In the spring, researchers will go with school children and farmers and compare earthworms in fields, forests, grasslands and other areas.
“We’re offering an opportunity for people to participate in a science project.”
They hope data collected will provide solid information on earthworms and how they react to change. It’s another tool in the hands of farmers.
“We have decided this is something farmers can do by themselves and they can do forever,” said Clapperton.
