2 Earthworms help increase pasture production. As a result animals return more manure to the soil which, in turn, also supports earthworms. No-till soils have both types, particularly nightcrawlers which use the duff layer for food. Nightcrawlers form large, permanent burrows into the root zone. The burrows improve drainage and increase soil aeration.
Plant roots proliferate through the soil using the burrows as easy passage.
Earthworm castings cling to the walls of burrows and provide nutrients to plants. No-till soils support several times more earthworms than conventionally tilled soils. Low soil disturbance keeps the worm burrows intact, and the duff layer provides food and protection from temperature extremes. Any soil disturbance is harmful to earthworms. Even minimum tillage soils have fewer earthworms than no-till soils.