Question

Presence of worms
Hypothesis: If plants grow in soil containing worms, then the plant growth will be greater, because worms help decompose organic matter and distribute it through the soil in a form that plants can use.

The results of this experiment show that plants grow more in soil containing worms than in soil without worms.

Which factors below helped the plants grow taller? Check all that apply.

Worms help move nutrients toward the roots of plants.

Worms produce nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are essential for plants to grow.

Worms create tunnels that allow the soil to absorb more water.

Answer 1

All three. Brief explanations:

- Worms help move nutrients toward plant roots by mixing soil and bringing organic matter down where roots can access it.
- Worms don’t create new nitrogen atoms, but their digestion and castings convert organic matter into forms of nitrogen and other nutrients plants can use, so they increase available nutrients.
- Worm tunnels increase soil porosity, improving water infiltration and retention around roots.