Earthworm production in cattle dung vermicomposting system under different stocking density loads.

INTRODUCTION: This work illustrates the productivity of composting earthworm Perionyx excavatus under different stocking density (in milligrams biomass per cubic centimeter vermibed space) gradients in cattle dung decomposing system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Earthworm biomass and reproduction performance was tested in vermibeds with five different stocking density loads: 0.0680 mg cm⁻³ (T₁), 0.1388 mg cm⁻³ (T₂), 0.205 mg cm⁻³ (T₃), 0.274 mg cm⁻³ (T₄), and 0.342 mg cm⁻³ (T₅). RESULTS AND
CONCLUSION: Results thus suggested the direct relationship between earthworm performance and stocking density load in vermicomposting system. P. excavatus showed the maximum individual biomass production in low-stocking density trials, while cocoon production rate was better in vermibeds with high-density trials. The statistical interrelationships between stocking density load and individual growth parameters of inoculated earthworms were also tested. The statistical interpretation also suggested the impact of stocking density load on earthworm growth and reproduction parameters in vermicomposting system, although further detailed studies are required to measure the earthworm growth behavior under the maximum carrying capacity load of a vermibed.