Insights of agricultural sustainability by the use of earthworms

Abstract Pesticides and other agrochemicals are introduced into the soil through agricultural practices. Earthworms contribute to the ecosystem services, such as pedogenesis and soil aeration, water regulation, and bioremediation of pesticides and chemicals, act as a bioindicator of soil health, and microbial interactions, and produce casts which are nutrient-rich pellets of N, P, and K organic matter, climate change regulation, and biogeochemical cycling, reduce need of synthetic fertilizer, etc. Consequently, the health of plants is enhanced by the hormone-like substances that earthworms can produce. Therefore, the growth and development of earthworms are significantly influenced by climate, land use, and species types. Hence, the earthworms function as “Ecosystem Engineers” that help maintain the majority of the soil animal biomass. Consequently, agriculture could achieve greater sustainability by harnessing the services of earthworms in agroecology. In this mini-review, it is discussed for earthworm significance explored for their deployment and the exploration in terms of sustaining ecosystem functioning through soil health and fertility enhancement, the impact of biochar on earthworms for soil health, crop production, pesticide application, soil nutrient recycling, the effect of nanoparticles on earthworm and soil health, heavy metal remediation, etc. The earthworms can assist in sustainable agricultural practices and also for the preservation of healthy ecosystems. Therefore, the conservation of earthworms in the soil ecosystem is essential to protect these beneficial organisms. Furthermore, it is necessary to investigate various aspects of agricultural management, conservation, mining, etc., to maintain the ecological balance for sustainable agriculture. Graphical Abstract