All these pioneering observations and experimental results of Darwin on earthworm makes him founding father of soil science. In modern ecological theory, bioturbation is recognised as ‘ecosystem engineering’. īioturbation is the term used for the biological reworking of soil and sediments and its importance for soil processes and geomorphology by all organisms including microbes, burrowing animals and rooting plants. That’s why these worms are well-known as “farmer’ s friends” or “nature’ s ploughman”. Earthworms are regularly ploughing the soil and continued to plough the soil in which they are present. Ploughing of soil was a most valuable and ancient invention of man, but there is no doubt that earthworms were ploughing soil from millions of years ago and maintaining the physical condition of the soil. The complex interactions of earthworms with their environment make their study a challenging task like modifying geochemical gradients, humus formation, buffering capacity of their cast, nutrient cycling, redistributing food resources, viruses, bacteria, resting stages of various microbes and eggs. All these activities ultimately promote the plant growth. According to him “ It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important part in the history of the world, as played by these less organized animals.” He carefully examined the activities of earthworms and reported that earthworms play important role in turning over large amounts of soil, maintaining of soil structure, breakdown of forest litter, plant and animal dead material in soil, aeration and fertility etc. His last publication on earthworms demonstrated their role in global soil bioturbation. He published a book “ The Formation of Vegetable Mould, through the Actions of Worms, With Observations on their Habits” almost six months before his death.

*Address all correspondence to: IntroductionĬharles Darwin (1809–1882) in his 45-year-long career studied the earthworm and gave many experimental results, observations, interpretations and theories.

Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India.

Department of Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India.Department of Zoology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India.Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India.

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