Soil is, in part, the product of biological activity (all those earthworms, and so on).

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One highlight, she revealed, was that private gardens were a biological hotspot when it came to earthworms.

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The earthworms selectively fed on slow-germinating, nitrogen-rich seeds and seedlings, actively ingesting the plant material, killing the young plant.

BBC: Earth News - Earthworms eat live seeds and plants, scientists find

Earthworms' taste for seeds and seedlings could alter the way we think about both the worms, and plant communities.

BBC: Earth News - Earthworms eat live seeds and plants, scientists find

Even with my limited knowledge of the subject, I know that earthworms are not parasites and certainly do not like apples.

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In true survivalist manner, Croft also teaches his family how to subsist on alternative sources of nourishment, such as algae, roasted mice and live earthworms.

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When the researchers examined the ratio of N15 within the tissue of earthworms offered legume seeds, it decreased significantly, demonstrating that earthworms feed upon, and prefer, legume seeds and seedlings.

BBC: Earth News - Earthworms eat live seeds and plants, scientists find

Earthworms allowed to feed on live plants gained weight, and their performance would vary depending on what plants they were offered, such as legumes or grasses, suggesting they do derive nutritional benefits from such a diet.

BBC: Earth News - Earthworms eat live seeds and plants, scientists find