Worms may help disperse weed seed

Researchers at Ohio State University are studying the role earthworms play in the collection and dispersal of weed seed. One weed in particular, giant ragweed, may benefit from the behavior of earthworms and explain why the weed has been labeled one of the most stubborn weeds in Ohio to control.

Ohio State weed scientist Emilie Regnier found that the earthworms were collecting the seed around their burrows, for reasons the researchers have yet to determine. Although the earthworm will collect other weed seeds, giant ragweed seed seems to be the earthworm’s favorite to collect. Regnier said about two-thirds of the ragweed seed buried by earthworms are capable of producing seedlings that emerge from the soil.

Earthworms previously have been known to disperse small weed seed by ingesting them and then ejecting the seed in their casts.

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For more: Emilie Regnier, Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, 310 C Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210; (614) 292-8497; fax (614) 292-7162; regnier.1@osu.edu.