Scientists say "underground gardening" by earthworms is accidental to the advance of behemothic ragweed -- a bulb that causes acid sneezes and sniffles and competes with crops. Earthworms advice ragweed advance by accession and burying the plant's seeds in their burrows. In fact, analysis shows added than two-thirds of all behemothic ragweed plants appear from the earthworm's narrow, underground homes. Earthworms advice ragweed advance by systematically accession and burying its seeds in their burrows In fact, we've begin that added than two-thirds of all behemothic ragweed seedlings appear from earthworm burrows. Our abstraction shows that nightcrawlers are some of nature's a lot of able edger farmers They actively beat for edger seeds, cull them into their burrows and again 'plant' them beneath up to several inches of soil. We begin the worms aggregate and casket 10 types of seeds in the aforementioned admeasurement range But they accept three appropriate favorites -- behemothic ragweed, bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Research that helps us accept the accession of edger seeds in the clay and how weeds are advance is analytical to the development of new, able administration strategies Giant ragweed should be agilely controlled in fields and area in adjustment to abbreviate added berry assembly and assure bulb advance and crop yields.
Lawrence, KS -- Scientists accept apparent that "underground gardening" by earthworms is accidental to the advance of behemothic ragweed, a bulb that causes sneezes and sniffles and is one of the nation's a lot of acid weeds.
A nightcrawler wrangles a behemothic ragweed berry
"Earthworms advice ragweed advance by systematically accession and burying its seeds in their burrows," said edger ecologist Dr. Emilie Regnier of Ohio State University. "In fact, we've begin that added than two-thirds of all behemothic ragweed seedlings appear from earthworm burrows."
Though behemothic ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) is best accepted for the abounding absolute of pollen it produces to affliction hay agitation sufferers, it aswell takes a cher assessment on crops. Throughout the Midwest, the edger is abnormally a botheration in blah and soybeans, causing crop losses of 50% to 75% if larboard unchecked.
Scientists accept continued been addled by the accelerated advance of behemothic ragweed back it produces almost few seeds. Now analysis shows the average earthworm is one of the culprits.
In a abstraction adjourned by the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Regnier and her adolescent scientists advised the appulse of earthworms on behemothic ragweed. The abstraction focused on Lumbricus terrestris worms -- frequently accepted as nightcrawlers.
Until now, nightcrawlers accept had a arch acceptability a allotment of growers back their burrows advance baptize filtration and their bistro habits advice accomplish nutrients added accessible to crops. The worms augment on bulb clutter they aggregate from the clay apparent and abundance central their narrow, underground homes. As the clutter softens and decays, it improves the availability of nutrients in the soil. Now, though, it appears there is aswell a aphotic ancillary to the earthworm's work.
"Our abstraction shows that nightcrawlers are some of nature's a lot of able edger farmers," Regnier said. "They actively beat for edger seeds, cull them into their burrows and again 'plant' them beneath up to several inches of soil."
In fact, advisers begin that worms calm and active added than two-thirds of the seeds broadcast by a angle of behemothic ragweed. Each couch advised in the abstraction absolute an boilerplate of 127 ragweed seeds, or 450 seeds per aboveboard foot.
While nightcrawlers aggregate seeds from added plants as well, behemothic ragweed is absolutely on their adopted list.
"We begin the worms aggregate and casket 10 types of seeds in the aforementioned admeasurement range," Regnier said. "But they accept three appropriate favorites -- behemothic ragweed, bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus)."
Lead advisers on the earthworm activity cover Regnier, edger ecologist Dr. Kent Harrison and entomologist Dr. Clive Edwards, all of Ohio State University.
"Research that helps us accept the accession of edger seeds in the clay and how weeds are advance is analytical to the development of new, able administration strategies," said Lee Van Wychen, action director, the Weed Science Society of America. "Giant ragweed should be agilely controlled in fields and area in adjustment to abbreviate added berry assembly and assure bulb advance and crop yields."
About the Weed Science Society of America
The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit able society, was founded in 1956 to animate and advance the development of ability apropos weeds and their appulse on the environment. The Weed Science Society of America promotes research, apprenticeship and addendum beat activities accompanying to weeds, provides science-based advice to the accessible and action makers, and fosters acquaintance of weeds and their impacts on managed and accustomed ecosystems. For added information, appointment www.wssa.net.
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