In the spotlight

Less fertiliser thanks to earthworms

Too much fertiliser impacts the environment. Fortunately, we can utilise the nutrients that are already available in the soil more efficiently, in keeping with circular agriculture. Wageningen scientists study the effect of earthworms on nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Earthworms eat both organic materials and soil particles and discharge them in their faeces. Thereby, they supply nitrogen and make residues of previously applied phosphorus fertiliser available for plants. Want to see how earthworms operate in the soil?