12.4 About Earthworms
Earthworms belong to class Annelida, class Clitellata and order Oligochaeta. There
are about 1800 species of earthworms belonging to 10 families. The most optimum
temperature for earthworms is 20–25
C, and most optimum moisture content is
50–60%. The preferred pH by earthworm is 7. Earthworms became mature at
10 weeks. They produce two to three cocoons a week. Each cocoon holds two to
five young ones, and cocoon takes 3 weeks to hatch. In 6 months 8 earthworms
multiply into 1500 if conditions are suitable for their survival. There are three
ecological varieties of earthworms, i.e. epigeics, endogeics and anecics. Epigeics
are litter- and surface-dwelling species. Endogeics are soil-dwelling species, and
anecics are deep-burrowing species. Out of the three types, only epigeic earthworm
species are considered most suitable for vermicomposting process. Mainly epigeic
species like Eisenia fetida (Hartenstein et al. 1979a) and Eudrilus eugeniae (Kale
and Bano 1988) have been used in converting organic waste into vermicompost.
12.4.1 Suitable Earthworm Species for Vermicomposting
Although there are thousands of earthworm species, only epigeic earthworms are
considered most suitable in vermicomposting, and that depends on their replication
under a suitable environmental conditions. The earthworms should be able to
process large amounts of organic waste under a given condition. Of the nearly
200 species of earthworms identified and reported from various parts of India,
relatively few species have been harnessed by man in the promotion of vermiculture
for vermicomposting practices. Of the three ecological varieties of earthworms, the
epigeics and anecics have been utilized in the vermicomposting process.
Epigeics like Eisenia fetida (Hartenstein et al. 1979a, b) and Eudrilus eugeniae
have been used in converting organic wastes into vermicompost. Though these
surface dwellers are capable of working hard on the litter layer and converting all
the organic wastes into manure, they are of no significant value in modifying the
structure of the soil. The anecics, however, are capable of both organic waste
consumption and in modifying the structure of the soil. Burrowing species that are
widely used in soil management are Pheretima elongata and Lampito mauritii.
Of various varieties of earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae have
widely been used throughout the world in converting organic litter into compost.
Though not the natives of India, these earthworms have been introduced in India,
and several experiments are in progress. The in situ soil community especially the
local variety of earthworms comprises the epigeic and endogeic varieties for the
combined process of litter and soil management. The advantages of using local
varieties of earthworms provide a cheap eco-friendly technology for the waste
management and the generation of organic fertilizers.
202
D. Sharma and A. B. Chowdhary
Earthworms belong to class Annelida, class Clitellata and order Oligochaeta. There
are about 1800 species of earthworms belonging to 10 families. The most optimum
temperature for earthworms is 20–25
C, and most optimum moisture content is
50–60%. The preferred pH by earthworm is 7. Earthworms became mature at
10 weeks. They produce two to three cocoons a week. Each cocoon holds two to
five young ones, and cocoon takes 3 weeks to hatch. In 6 months 8 earthworms
multiply into 1500 if conditions are suitable for their survival. There are three
ecological varieties of earthworms, i.e. epigeics, endogeics and anecics. Epigeics
are litter- and surface-dwelling species. Endogeics are soil-dwelling species, and
anecics are deep-burrowing species. Out of the three types, only epigeic earthworm
species are considered most suitable for vermicomposting process. Mainly epigeic
species like Eisenia fetida (Hartenstein et al. 1979a) and Eudrilus eugeniae (Kale
and Bano 1988) have been used in converting organic waste into vermicompost.
12.4.1 Suitable Earthworm Species for Vermicomposting
Although there are thousands of earthworm species, only epigeic earthworms are
considered most suitable in vermicomposting, and that depends on their replication
under a suitable environmental conditions. The earthworms should be able to
process large amounts of organic waste under a given condition. Of the nearly
200 species of earthworms identified and reported from various parts of India,
relatively few species have been harnessed by man in the promotion of vermiculture
for vermicomposting practices. Of the three ecological varieties of earthworms, the
epigeics and anecics have been utilized in the vermicomposting process.
Epigeics like Eisenia fetida (Hartenstein et al. 1979a, b) and Eudrilus eugeniae
have been used in converting organic wastes into vermicompost. Though these
surface dwellers are capable of working hard on the litter layer and converting all
the organic wastes into manure, they are of no significant value in modifying the
structure of the soil. The anecics, however, are capable of both organic waste
consumption and in modifying the structure of the soil. Burrowing species that are
widely used in soil management are Pheretima elongata and Lampito mauritii.
Of various varieties of earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae have
widely been used throughout the world in converting organic litter into compost.
Though not the natives of India, these earthworms have been introduced in India,
and several experiments are in progress. The in situ soil community especially the
local variety of earthworms comprises the epigeic and endogeic varieties for the
combined process of litter and soil management. The advantages of using local
varieties of earthworms provide a cheap eco-friendly technology for the waste
management and the generation of organic fertilizers.
202
D. Sharma and A. B. Chowdhary