Growth and Fecundity of Eisenia Fetida Earthworm During Vermicomposting of Food Industry Sludge (original) (raw)

Abstract

This paper reports the growth and fecundity of an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida during the transformation of food industry sludge (FIS) spiked with biogas plant slurry (BPS) into vermicompost. The results showed that Eisenia fetida was unable to service in 100% FIS. Addition of some other organic waste to FIS was necessary during vermicomposting. Addition ofFIS with BPS in smaller quantities (20% to 30% on dry weight basis) had no adverse effect on the growth and fecundity of Eiseniafetida because biomass gains by earthworms in 20% FIS was higher than control (100% BPS). The maximum growth rate and cocoon production by Eiseniafetida was 16.21:1:0.64 mg worm-I day-' and 0.21 cocoons worm-I day-I respectively in a 80% BPS + 20% FIS feed mixture. Whereas, minimum growth rate and cocoon production by Eisenia fetid a was 8.14:1:0.32mg worm-I day-Iand 0.07 cocoons worm-I day-' respectively in feed mixture no. 7 (40% BPS + 60% FIS), a higher percentage of FIS in the feed mixture...

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