“They actively forage for weed seeds, pull them into their burrows and then ‘plant’ them under up to several inches of soil.” “Our study shows that nightcrawlers are some of nature’s most effective weed farmers,” Regnier said. Now, though, it appears there is also a dark side to the earthworm’s work. As the litter softens and decays, it improves the availability of nutrients in the soil. The worms feed on plant litter they collect from the soil surface and store inside their narrow, underground homes. Until now, nightcrawlers have had a stellar reputation among growers since their burrows promote water filtration and their eating habits help make nutrients more available to crops. The study focused on Lumbricus terrestris worms – commonly known as nightcrawlers. In a study funded by the USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Regnier and her fellow scientists examined the impact of earthworms on giant ragweed. Now research shows the lowly earthworm is one of the culprits. Scientists have long been mystified by the rapid spread of giant ragweed since it produces relatively few seeds. Throughout the Midwest, the weed is especially a problem in corn and soybeans, causing yield losses of 50% to 75% when left unchecked. Though giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) is best known for the prolific blanket of pollen it produces to plague hay fever sufferers, it also takes a costly toll on crops. “In fact, we’ve found that more than two-thirds of all giant ragweed seedlings emerge from earthworm burrows.” “Earthworms help ragweed thrive by systematically collecting and burying its seeds in their burrows,” said weed ecologist Dr. Scientists have discovered that “underground gardening” by earthworms is contributing to the spread of giant ragweed, a plant that causes sneezes and sniffles and is one of the nation’s most irritating weeds.
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