A new study by Colorado State University showed that earthworms play a vital role in global food production, accounting for approximately 6.5% of grain yield and 2.3% of legume production annually. These findings indicate that earthworms may contribute up to 140 million metric tons of food each year, a quantity comparable to Russia's annual cereal grain production.
This study, titled "Earthworms contribute significantly to global food production" published in Nature Communications, represents the first attempt to assess the global significance of soil biodiversity in such a manner. Study lead author Steven Fonte underscores the importance of recognizing earthworms' value on a global scale.
Earthworms Deemed Unsung Heroes of Global Food Production, Responsible for 140 Million Metric Tons Annually
Earthworms Help Establish Healthy Soil
Earthworms play a crucial role in nurturing healthy soils, offering multifaceted support for plant growth. They aid in building favorable soil structure, assisting in water retention, and actively participating in the decomposition of organic matter, which, in turn, enhances nutrient availability to plants.
Additionally, research has unveiled that earthworms can promote the production of plant-growth-promoting hormones and bolster plants' defense mechanisms against common soil-borne pathogens. Some estimates even suggest that earthworms can amplify overall plant productivity by up to 25%.
Fonte, alongside colleagues Nathan Mueller and Marian Hsieh from the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, assessed to gauge earthworms' contribution to global food production. Their approach involved an intricate analysis that considered earthworm abundance, soil characteristics, fertilizer application rates, and crop yields through the overlaying of maps.
The results of this analysis demonstrated that earthworms exerted a more pronounced impact on grain production in regions of the global south. Notably, they contributed to 10% of grain yield in Sub-Saharan Africa and 8% in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This heightened influence in these areas is attributed to the fact that farmers often have limited access to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Consequently, they rely more on organic matter enriched with earthworms, such as manure and crop residues, which stimulate the advantageous effects earthworms confer on plant growth.
In essence, earthworms emerge as invaluable allies in regions where agricultural practices lean towards organic and sustainable methods, significantly bolstering crop yields and ensuring food security.
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Earthworms Greatly Help Agriculture
The study's primary focus was to assess how earthworms influence the growth of major grain crops like rice, maize, wheat, and barley, as well as various legumes, including soybeans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and alfalfa.
Dr. Fonte emphasized that soil biodiversity has historically been undervalued, and the study aimed to draw attention to the significant benefits that healthy soils can bring to crop yields. He stressed that by adopting more sustainable soil management practices, we can effectively tap into soil biodiversity, leading to the development of more sustainable agroecosystems.
Recent research findings have revealed that soils harbor a remarkable amount of biodiversity, with estimates suggesting that they host up to half of the world's biodiversity, a substantial increase from earlier estimates of around 25%. Despite being intricate habitats, soils have not received adequate attention in terms of understanding the role of soil biodiversity in global crop production.
The study's findings also have potential implications for addressing critical issues such as drought and erosion. Importantly, the research team clarified that their findings do not advocate for the transplantation of earthworms into new environments but rather suggest enhancing soil biology management in regions where earthworms are naturally present.
This approach has the potential to increase agricultural productivity while reducing reliance on agrochemicals, marking a significant step in unraveling the complexities of soil ecosystems.
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