I have not been in touch with worms for a while. Today’s story on BBC on earthworms caught my attention because a worm is the sublect of interest. Nematodes which are worms are the intended target by carbofuran nematicide.
Nematodes are mostly are free-living; found in soil where they are important decomposers. Some are parasitic, including many parasites of commercially important plants like strawberries and oranges. Nonetheless, they are worms!
But earthworms are worms as well; they have distinctly segmented bodies that is, their body is made up of repeating units. Yet earthworms and nematodes are both in this case in the soil, soil worms and therefore a possible target for carbofuran either way! What is worse is that carbofuran is turning out a dreaded biocide rather than a nematicide.
Earthworms are important soil burrowers therefore important in soil aeration, an important condition in crop farming. In addition, they are soil detoxication facilitators. They would aid in metal toxins removal from the soil as reported on BBC in Earthworms to aid in soil clean up.
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Mar 4th Tom T USD 11.50