Question

What is the cultivation of earthworms called?
A. Pisciculture
B. Aquaculture
C. Vermiculture
D. Horticulture

Answer 1

Earthworms have a segmented body and they belong to the phylum Annelida and they are commonly found in the soil.

Complete answer:
Earthworm belongs to the phylum Annelida. They are also commonly known as farmer’s friends. They are generally

Option a: Pisciculture or fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures such as fish ponds, usually for food. It is the most common form of aquaculture. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Option b: Aquaculture is the cultivation of freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions. It is also known as aquafarming. It is the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and other organisms. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Option c: Vermiculture is the artificial rearing or cultivation of Earthworms and using them for the betterment of human beings. This artificial rearing of worms involves the decomposition of organic food wastes into nutrient-rich material.
The worms present consume the organic material which undergoes decomposition and then releases them out in the form of waste which is considered as castings. This is also known as worm manure. This manure acts can be used as fertilizer for the growth of plants. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Option d: It is the branch of plant agriculture that deals with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘c’.

Note: It is to be noted that the output of vermiculture is called vermicompost. It is formed by the process in which earthworms consume the farmyard manure and roughages. The produced vermicompost is rich in terms of nutrients and other plant growth-promoting substances.