Influence of different cultivating and food sources on growth of earthworm, perionyx excavatus (PERR.)

Abstract

Earthworm, Perionyx Excavatus, has been studied and the potential of this epigeic earthworm species for processing organic waste is well known. The substrate and feeding material were considered as effector of the growth, life cycle of earthworms. The current study carried on the evaluation of various cultivating and feeding materials that influenced on growth of earthworms, by calculating biomass, the total number of worms and relative growth rate. As the results, the cow manure fed in cultured and feeding materials showed the suitable in the growth of earthworm, with significant differences from other group which based on worm manure as the substrate and feeding materials. For further study, the adding component, including coir, straw and soil have to be studied to find out the better materials in earthworm cultivation.