![]() ![]() Earthworms ingest plant growth-promoting rhizospheric bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Bacillus, Azosprillium, Azotobacter, etc. ![]() 1−3 Interactions between earthworms and microorganisms seem to be complex. Earthworms indirectly influence the dynamics of soil chemical processes, by comminuting the litter and affecting the activity of the soil micro-flora. Keywords: gut of earthworm, gut transit time, gut associated microbes, gut symbiosis, vermicasts IntroductionĮarthworm’s ability to increase plant nutrient availability is likely to be dependent on the activity of earthworm gut microflora. In fact, microorganisms are largely responsible for the decomposition of the materials ingested by earthworms and in turn earthworm regulates modifications in microbial communities thus sharing a mutualistic relationship. It is certainly proven that the growth of earthworms is dependent on microbial associations. The microorganisms show a high degree of specialization and display a large number of enzymes for the breakdown of organic matter. The activity of the decomposing microorganisms is accelerated by the activity of the soil fauna. The rate and extent of the decomposition depends on the chemical composition of the material, environmental factors, and on the microbial community. ![]() Decomposition of organic material is assumed to be mainly mediated by microorganisms. Microbial communities also support a large number of soil invertebrates, which in turn have an important regulatory effect on the microbial populations. Soil bacteria viz., Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Streptomyces etc., are prolific producers of secondary metabolites which act against numerous co-existing phytopathogeic fungi and human pathogenic bacteria. The soil bears infinite life that promotes diverse microflora. ![]()
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