Worms may deposit 10 to 15 tons of castings per acre on the surface of the soil during a year. Research on the beneficial effects of worms generally does not show they will increase yields. However, we do know that the casts they leave behind are high in bacteria, organic matter, and plant nutrients. Below soil columns with and without worms were prepared. Soils with worms have the layers being mixed together.
Worms prefer a moist non-acid environment in which to live.
They also need organic matter, which they use as a food source, and high amounts of available calcium. Worms also leave numerous channels in the soil which may result in pesticides and nutrients entering the subsoils at faster rates. See worms 1 or worms 2 for more information about worms. Roots Roots absorb the water and nutrients that are needed by the plants for photosynthesis and respiration. Roots in the soil play an important role in the activity of organisms.