Tripathi G, Bhardwaj P
Department of Zoology, JNV University, D-41, Saraswati Nagar, New Pali Road, Jodhpur 342-001, India.
Bioresour Technol. 2004 May;92(3):275-83. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2003.09.005.
Comparative studies were performed to evaluate composting potential, biomass growth and biology of a non-native (Eisenia fetida) and an endemic (Lampito mauritii) species of earthworm in the semiarid environment of Jodhpur district of Rajasthan in India. Earthworms were reared in a mixed bedding material comprised of biogas slurry, cowdung, wheat straw, leaflitter, sawdust and kitchen waste. The percentage of organic carbon of the culture bedding material declined upto 105 days with E. fetida and 120 with L. mauritii. The percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium increased as a function of the vermicomposting period. In contrast, C/N and C/P ratios decreased day by day. Both species were effective for decomposition and mineralization of mixed bedding in the semiarid environment. A comparative assessment of biomass growth of E. fetida and L. mauritii was done under controlled laboratory conditions. The optimum temperature, moisture content and pH for E. fetida were 25 degrees C, 70% and 6.5, respectively. However, the optimum temperature, moisture content and pH for growth and development of L. mauritii were 30 degrees C, 60% and 7.5, respectively. The biology and reproductive rates of both species were also studied in the laboratory using mixed bedding. Cocoon production was higher for E. fetida than L. mauritii. The net reproductive rate was 9 per month in the case of E. fetida and 1 per month for L. mauritii. Fertilized eggs of E. fetida and L. mauritii developed into adults within 4 and 5 1/4 months, respectively. These observations indicate E. fetida may be a more efficient breeder than L. mauritii in the desert region of Rajasthan.
在印度拉贾斯坦邦焦特布尔区的半干旱环境中，进行了比较研究，以评估一种非本地蚯蚓（赤子爱胜蚓）和一种本地蚯蚓（莫氏腔蚓）的堆肥潜力、生物量增长和生物学特性。蚯蚓饲养在由沼液、牛粪、麦秸、落叶、锯末和厨余垃圾组成的混合垫料中。培养垫料中有机碳的百分比在赤子爱胜蚓的情况下下降至105天，在莫氏腔蚓的情况下下降至120天。氮、磷和钾的百分比随着蚯蚓堆肥期的延长而增加。相比之下，碳氮比和碳磷比逐日下降。在半干旱环境中，这两个物种对混合垫料的分解和矿化都很有效。在受控实验室条件下，对赤子爱胜蚓和莫氏腔蚓的生物量增长进行了比较评估。赤子爱胜蚓的最佳温度、水分含量和pH值分别为25℃、70%和6.5。然而，莫氏腔蚓生长和发育的最佳温度、水分含量和pH值分别为30℃、60%和7.5。还在实验室中使用混合垫料研究了这两个物种的生物学特性和繁殖率。赤子爱胜蚓的茧产量高于莫氏腔蚓。赤子爱胜蚓的净繁殖率为每月9个，莫氏腔蚓为每月1个。赤子爱胜蚓和莫氏腔蚓的受精卵分别在4个月和5又1/4个月内发育成成虫。这些观察结果表明，在拉贾斯坦邦的沙漠地区，赤子爱胜蚓可能比莫氏腔蚓繁殖效率更高。
