Earthworms - Revision history

Michel Lamontagne: /* Uses on Mars */

2019-08-05T18:16:00Z

Uses on Mars

Michel Lamontagne at 18:15, 5 August 2019

2019-08-05T18:15:40Z

Jburk at 20:41, 18 December 2018

2018-12-18T20:41:05Z

Rfc: image+

2013-02-07T19:10:06Z

image+

ChristiaanK: Created page

2013-02-07T17:53:16Z

Created page

New page

{{Stub}}
'''Earthworms''' eat dead organic matter. "Worm farms" (vermiculture) produces highly effective fertilizers called ''vermicompost'' (solid) and ''vermitea'' (liquid).

==Biology==
Earthworms can have a lifespan of up to fifteen years. They are hermaphroditic, and reproduction results in a cocoon producing up to seven young. They will die at temperatures below freezing or above 32 degrees Celsius.

Earthworms regulate their own numbers within the limits of the available food supply.

==Varieties==
There are about 4700 described species of earthworm, which for agricultural purposes can be divided into three groups:
*''Anecic'' earthworms build permanent burrows fairly deep into the soil and drag food down into their burrows.
*''Endogeic'' earthworms build temporary burrows in shallow soil.
*''Epigeic'' earthworms live in mats of decomposing plant matter on top of the soil. Only epigeic earthworms are suitable for use in vermiculture.

==Open issues==
*Can earthworms be transported from Earth to Mars?
**What are their minimum nutrient requirements in microgravity?

==References==
M. Murphy - ''Beginner's guide to earthworm farming: Simple ideas for a sustainable world'' 2010. ISBN 978-0-143-02676-1

[[Category:Agriculture]]

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Uses on Mars==
-*Earthworms might be used in an extensive system of soils for plant production on Mars
+*Earthworms might be used in an extensive system of soils for plant production on Mars.
 ==References==
 M. Murphy - ''Beginner's guide to earthworm farming: Simple ideas for a sustainable world'' 2010. ISBN 978-0-143-02676-1
 [[Category:Growing Methods]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Stub}}
-'''Earthworms''' eat dead organic matter. "Worm farms" (vermiculture) produces highly effective fertilizers called ''vermicompost'' (solid) and ''vermitea'' (liquid).
+'''Earthworms''' eat dead organic matter. "Worm farms" (vermiculture) produces highly effective [[Fertilizer|fertilizers]] and [[Compost|composts]] called ''vermicompost'' (solid) and ''vermitea'' (liquid).
 [[Image:CompostWithEarthworm.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Compost with Earthworms]]
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Varieties==
 There are about 4700 described species of earthworm, which for agricultural purposes can be divided into three groups:
 *''Anecic'' earthworms build permanent burrows fairly deep into the soil and drag food down into their burrows.
 *''Endogeic'' earthworms build temporary burrows in shallow soil.
 *''Epigeic'' earthworms live in mats of decomposing plant matter on top of the soil. Only epigeic earthworms are suitable for use in vermiculture.
-==Open issues==
+==Uses on Mars==
-*Can earthworms be transported from Earth to Mars?
-**What are their minimum nutrient requirements in microgravity?
+*Earthworms might be used in an extensive system of soils for plant production on Mars
 ==References==
 M. Murphy - ''Beginner's guide to earthworm farming: Simple ideas for a sustainable world'' 2010. ISBN 978-0-143-02676-1
 [[Category:Growing Methods]]