5
NUTRITION
The earthworm feeds on decomposed organic matter found in the surrounding environment. They have extracellular digestion, which means that it takes place in the digestive tube and not in individual cells. This type of earthworm is called Lumbricus terrestris.
It begins in the mouth, the food is passed to the pharynx and then to the oesophagus. The Calciferous glands are one type of gland located in the oesophagus which produce secretion and calcium.
When it is in the oesophagus they pass the food to the crop, where all the food is stored. Then it goes to the gizzard where the food is broken down. Then it goes to the intestine which is a long tube that passes the decomposed food to the anus. In the anus the food is transformed into faeces and is expelled.
The burrowing and the feeding activity of earthworms have numerous effects on soil for crop production. They maintain the productivity of the soil. It is beneficial to plants and to gardens because they allow the soil to become fertilized and they aerate the soil. So, they help to maintain the productivity of the soil.