Effect of stocking density and food quality on the growth and fecundity of an epigeic earthworm (Eisenia fetida) during vermicomposting

被引：28

作者：

Garg V.K. ^{[1
]}

Kaushik P. ^{[1
]}

Yadav Y.K. ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar

来源：

The Environmentalist | 2008年 / 28卷 / 4期

关键词：

Cow dung; Eisenia fetida; Fecundity; Feed mixture; Growth rate; Stocking density; Textile mill wastewater sludge; Vermicomposting;

D O I：

10.1007/s10669-008-9173-5

中图分类号：

学科分类号：

摘要：

Physico-chemical characteristics of the feed and optimum worm density are important parameters for the efficient working of a vermicomposting system. Overcrowding of worms can affect the efficiency of a vermicomposting system even if all other parameters have been optimized. This article reports the effect of stocking density and feed quality on the growth and fecundity of Eisenia fetida under laboratory conditions. The feed mixtures contained cow dung and textile mill wastewater sludge in different ratios. Three feed mixtures and five stocking rates (1, 2, 4, 8, and 12) were tested for 12 weeks. The results showed that E. fetida growth rate was faster at higher stocking densities; however, biomass gain per worm was faster at lower stocking densities. Sexual maturity was attained earlier at higher stocking densities. Growth rate was highest in 100% cow dung at all the stocking densities when compared to textile mill wastewater sludge containing feed mixtures. A worm population of 27-53 worms per kg of feed was found to be the most favorable stocking density. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

引用

页码：483 / 488

页数：5

共 17 条

[1] Bansal S., Kapoor K.K., Vermicomposting of crop residues and cattle dung with Eisenia fetida, Bioresour Technol, 73, pp. 95-98, (2000)
[2] Bremner J.M., Mulvaney R.G., Page A.L., Miller R.H., Keeney D.R., Nitrogen total, Method of Soil Analysis, pp. 575-624, (1982)
[3] Dominguez J., Edward C.A., Effect of stocking rates and moisture content on the growth and maturation of Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta) in pig manure, Soil Biol Biochem, 29, pp. 743-746, (1997)
[4] Elvira C., Sampedro L., Dominguez J., Mato S., Vermicomposting of wastewater sludge from paper-pulp industry with nitrogen rich materials, Soil Biol Biochem, 29, pp. 759-762, (1997)
[5] Elvira C., Sampedro L., Benitez E., Nogales R., Vermicomposting of sludges from paper mill and dairy industries with Eisenia andrei: A pilot scale study, Bioresour Technol, 63, pp. 205-211, (1998)
[6] Garg V.K., Kaushik P., Vermistabilization of textile mill sludge spiked with poultry droppings by an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida, Bioresour Technol, 96, pp. 1189-1193, (2005)
[7] Garg V.K., Kaushik P., Dilbaghi N., Vermiconversion of wastewater sludge from textile mill mixed with anaerobically digested biogas plant slurry employing Eisenia fetida, Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 63, pp. 412-419, (2006)
[8] Gratelly P., Benitez E., Elvira C., Polo A., Nogales R., Rodriguez-Barrueco C., Stabilization of sludges from a dairy processing plant using vermicomposting, Fertilizers and Environment, pp. 341-343, (1996)
[9] Kaplan D.L., Hartenstein R., Neuhauser E.F., Malecki M.R., Physico-chemical requirements in the environment of the earthworm Eisenia fetida, Soil Biol Biochem, 12, pp. 347-352, (1980)
[10] Kaushik P., Garg V.K., Vermicomposting of mixed solid textile mill sludge and cow dung with epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida, Bioresour Technol, 90, pp. 311-316, (2003)

← 1 2 →