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Table 3: Relative Merits of existing Earthworm Inoculation Techniques (adapted from [26]).

Technique Advantages Disadvantages Turf Cutting and relaying Protective microenvironment Densities usually low Cocoons transferred Little control over species/numbers Mainly shallow working worms Cutting machines/labour required Damage to collection site Chemical/physical extraction with broadcasting High densities possible Protective micro-environment absent Species selection possible No cocoon transfer Mainly deep burrowing worms Worms may be injured during extraction Laborious and expensive Damage to collection site Earthworm Inoculation Unit (EIU) method Protective microenvironment Laborious and potentially expensive Species selection possible (compared with above methods) Worms of known origin Cocoons transferred High densities possible