Open AccessDrilosphere: A valuable source for soil microbial activities
Author(s) -
Ishwar Prakash Sharma,
Dinesh Chandra,
Chandra Kanta
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
moj biology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2574-9722
DOI - 10.15406/mojbm.2018.03.00100
Subject(s) - earthworm , environmental science , soil ecology , soil biology , soil organic matter , ecosystem , soil water , soil biodiversity , soil science , microorganism , soil health , agriculture , bulk soil , soil functions , ecology , biology , bacteria , genetics
The basic function of soil microorganisms is the decomposition and transformation of organic materials, which are derived from the plant residues. Thus, soil microbial communities play a critical role in ecosystem processes. Soil microbial activities, populations and communities are governed by environmental variables and agricultural system. The conventional agriculture has an important role in improving food productivity. The earthworms have been modifying soil characteristics for millennia wherever they are found world-wide, it has only been recently that soil scientists described vermic horizons and even vermisols, where earthworm influence on soils reaches dramatic proportions. The earthworm body, both internally and externally, is the site of metabolic processes, at this level, microbial activity is enhanced. The increase of soil porosity in organic system indicated the decrease in soil bulk density which promotes the soil microbial activity.