Eurasian Journal of Soil Science

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the winter and summer seasons at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh, to examine the seasonal variations in the life cycle, growth, and reproduction of two epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae. Earthworm species were reared in plastic containers filled with cow dung as the feeding medium, maintaining a moisture level of 60%–80%. Growth and reproductive characteristics were recorded at various stages. The results indicated that Eisenia fetida exhibited a longer incubation period (24±4.69 and 23.0±4.16 days), a higher number of hatchlings per cocoon (2.4±1.19 and 2.7±0.96), and greater hatching success rates (82.5% and 87.5%) during both winter and summer seasons, respectively. In contrast, Eudrilus eugeniae attained the greatest body length (12.98±0.69 cm and 13.09±0.54 cm per worm) and the highest weight (775.67±66.40 mg and 703.5±55.56 mg per worm) in winter and summer, respectively. Both species reached sexual maturity relatively earlier in winter. Additionally, E. fetida produced a higher number of cocoons per worm per week (2.35 ± 0.30 in winter and 3.00 ± 1.35 in summer). Cocoon production per worm per week in E. fetida showed a significant positive correlation with temperature (r=0.61**) during winter.

Keywords

Seasonal effects, life cycle, growth, reproduction, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae.

References

<p>Baker, G., 2007. Differences in nitrogen release from surface and incorporated plant residues by two endogeic species of earthworms (Lumbricidae) in a red&ndash;brown earth soil in southern Australia. <em>European Journal of Soil Biology</em> 43: 165&ndash;170.</p>

<p>Bhat, S.A., Singh, J., Vig, A.P., 2015. Potential utilization of bagasse as feed material for earthworm <em>Eisenia fetida</em> and production of vermicompost. <em>Springerplus</em> 4: 11.</p>

<p>Biradar, P.M., Amoji, S.D., 2003. Influence of organic wastes and seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction of <em>Eisenia fetida</em>. <em>Journal of Environmental Biology</em> 24: 81-89.</p>

<p>Blouin, M., Hodson, M.E., Delgado, E., Baker, G., Brussaard, L., Butt, K.R., 2013. A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services. <em>European Journal of Soil Science</em> 64(2): 161&ndash;182.</p>

<p>Bondhare, S.O., Desai, R.B., 2019. Comparison of life cycle of earthworms <em>Eisenia fetida</em> and <em>Lumbricus rubellus</em> under controlled condition, in Nanded district. <em>Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies</em> 7: 556-559.</p>

<p>Bouch&eacute;, M.B., 1977. Strategies lombriciennes, In: Soil organisms as components of ecosystems. Lohm. U., Persson. T., (Eds.). Vol 25, Ecological Bulletins: Stockholm, Sweden. pp. 122&ndash;133.</p>

<p>Byambas, P., Hornick, J.L., Marlier, D., Francis, F., 2019. Vermiculture in animal farming: A review on the biological and non-biological risks related to earthworms in animal feed. <em>Cogent Environmental Science</em> 5: 1591328.</p>

<p>Debnath, S., Chaudhuri, P., 2020. Cocoon biology of earthworms of waste deposit sites of Tripura (India). <em>Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology</em> 41: 32-46.</p>

<p>Dominguez, J., Edwards, C.A., Dominguez, J., 2001. The biology and population dynamics of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> (Kinberg) (Oligochaeta) in cattle waste solids. <em>Pedobiologia</em> 45(4): 341-353.</p>

<p>Dominguez, J.E.C.A., Edwards, C.A., 2011. Biology and ecology of earthworm species used for vermicomposting. In: Vermiculture technology: Earthworms, Organic waste and Environmental management. Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., Sherman, R.L. (Eds.). CRC Press, Boca Raton. pp. 27-40.</p>

<p>Edwards, C.A., 1988. Breakdown of animal, vegetable and industrial organic wastes by earthworms, In: Earthworms in Waste and Environmental Management. Edwards, C.A., Neuhauser, E.F., (Eds.). SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, The Netherlands. pp. 21&ndash;31.</p>

<p>Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., 2022. Biology and ecology of earthworms, Vol 3. Springer Science &amp; Business Media, 567p.</p>

<p>Emperor, G.N., Kumar, K., Ravikumar, G., 2016. Growth performance and hatchling rate of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> and <em>Eisenia fetida</em> in different concentrations of tea waste, cow dung and kitchen waste mixture. <em>Asian Journal of Innovative Research</em> 1: 46-52.</p>

<p>Fragoso, C., 2001. Las lombrices de tierra de M&eacute;xico (Annelida, Oligochaeta): Diversidad, ecolog&iacute;a y manejo. <em>Acta Zool&oacute;gica Mexicana </em>1: 131-171.</p>

<p>Garg, V.K., Chand, S., Chhillar, A., Yadav, A. 2006. Growth and reproduction of <em>Eisenia foetida</em> in various animal wastes during vermicomposting. <em>Applied Ecology and Environmental Research</em> 3: 51&ndash;59.</p>

<p>Gomez, K.A., Gomez, A.A., 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. John Willey &amp; Sons, New York. pp. 28-192.</p>

<p>Graff, O., 1982. Vergleich der Regenwurmarten <em>Eisenia foetida</em> und <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Proteingewinnung aus Abfallstoffen. <em>Pedobiologia</em> 23: 277-282.</p>

<p>H&auml;ttenschwiler, S., Gasser, P. 2005. Soil animals alter plant litter diversity effects on decomposition. <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> 102: 1519&ndash;1524.</p>

<p>Kahneh, E., Shirinfekr, A., Ramzi, S., Salimi, K., 2022. Effects of long-term tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivation on the earthworm populations in northern Iran. <em>Eurasian Journal of Soil Science</em> 11(3): 234-240.</p>

<p>Kawecki, T.J., Stearns, S.C., 1993. The evolution of life histories in spatially heterogeneous environments: optimal reaction norms revisited. <em>Evolutionary Ecology</em> 7: 155-174.</p>

<p>Knieriemen, D., 1984. Biomassegewinnung durch Vermehrung w&auml;rmeliebender Regenwurmarten. Doctorate thesis. Justus-Liebig-Universit&auml;t, Giessen, Germany.</p>

<p>Lavelle, P., Spain, A., Blouin, M., Brown, G., Deca&euml;ns, T., Grimaldi, M., Jim&eacute;nez, J.J., McKey, D., Mathieu, J., Velasquez, E., Zangerl&eacute;, A., 2016. Ecosystem engineers in a self-organized soil: a review of concepts and future research questions. <em>Soil Science </em>181: 91&ndash;109.</p>

<p>Loehr, R.C., Neuhauser, E.F., Malecki, M.R., 1985. Factors affecting the vermistabilization process: Temperature, moisture content and polyculture. <em>Water Research</em> 19: 1311-1317.</p>

<p>Lofs-Holmin, A., 1985. Vermiculture - Present knowledge of the art of the earthworm farming-a summary of recent literat&uuml;re. Rapport-Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Institutionen foer Ekologi och Miljoevaard. Uppsala, Sweden pp.1&ndash;69.</p>

<p>Mba, C.C., 1983. Utilization of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> for disposal of cassava peel. In: Earthworm Ecology: From Darwin to Vermiculture. J.E. Satchell (Ed.). Chapman and Hall, London. pp. 315-321.</p>

<p>Neuhauser, E.F., Kaplan, D.L., Hartenstein, R., 1979. Life history of the earthworms <em>Eudrilus eugeniae </em>(Kinberg). <em>Review of Soil Ecology and Biology</em> 16: 524-534.</p>

<p>Parthasarathi, K., 2007. Life cycle of <em>Lampito mauritii</em> (Kinberg) in comparison with <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> (Kinberg) cultured on different substrates. <em>Journal of Environmental Biology</em> 28(4): 803-812.</p>

<p>Podolak, A., Kostecka, J., Mazur-Pączka, A., Garczyńska, M., Pączka, G., Szura, R., 2020. Life cycle of the <em>Eisenia fetida</em> and <em>Dendrobaena veneta</em> earthworms (Oligohaeta, Lumbricidae). <em>Journal of Ecological Engineering</em> 21: 40-45.</p>

<p>Radaei,&nbsp;M.,&nbsp;Izadi,&nbsp;M.,&nbsp;2016. Response of earthworm&rsquo;s biomass and soil properties in different afforested type areas in the North Iran. <em>Eurasian Journal of Soil Science</em> 5(1): 47 - 52.</p>

<p>Reinecke, A.J., Kriel, J.R., 1981. Influence of temperature on the reproduction of the earthworm <em>Eisenia foetida </em>(Oligochaeta). <em>South African Journal of Zoology</em> 16: 96&ndash;100.</p>

<p>Reynolds, J.W., Wetzel, M.J., 2004. Nomenclatura Oligochaetologica. Supplementum Quartum.&nbsp; A&nbsp; catalogue&nbsp; of&nbsp; names,&nbsp; descriptions&nbsp; and&nbsp; type&nbsp; specimens&nbsp; of&nbsp; the&nbsp; Oligochaeta.&nbsp; <em>Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication</em>.</p>

<p>Sangwan, P., Kaushik, C.P., Garg, V.K., 2008. Vermicomposting of sugar industry waste (press mud) mixed with cow dung employing an epigeic earthworm <em>Eisenia fetida</em>. <em>Waste Management and Research</em> 28: 71-75.</p>

<p>Seenappa, S.N., 2011. Seasonal effects on growth and bioenergetics of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinb.) using cane sugar pressmud (CSP) as feed substrate. <em>World Journal of Environmental Biosciences </em>1: 467-475.</p>

<p>Segun, A.O., 1998. Tropical Zoology. University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2nd Edition, 283p..</p>

<p>Shagoti, U.M., Amoji, S.D., Biradar, V.A., Biradar, P.M., 2001. Effect of temperature on growth and reproduction of the epigeic earthworm, <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> (Kinberg). <em>Journal of Environmental Biology</em> 22: 213-217.</p>

<p>Thirumagal, A., Deivanayaki, M., 2017. Effect of different Adhatoda vasica leaves media on the growth and cocoon production of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em>. <em>Research Journal of Science and Technology </em>9: 288-292.</p>

<p>Tiwari, S.C., Mishra, R.R., 1993. Fungal abundance and diversity in earthworm casts and in uningested soil. <em>Biology and Fertility of Soils</em> 16: 131-134.</p>

<p>Venter, J.M., Reinecke, A.J., 1988. The life-cycle of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta). <em>South African Journal of Zoology 23</em>(3): 161-165.</p>

<p>Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1994. The life-cycle and reproduction of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> under controlled environmental conditions. <em>Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen Zoologischen Museum und Institut</em>&nbsp; 89:149-157.</p>

<p>Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1992. The temperature requirements of the epigeic earthworm species <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> (Oligochaeta) - a laboratory study. <em>Soil Biology and Biochemistry</em> 24: 1345-1350.</p>

<p>Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1989. Moisture and growth, maturation and cocoon production of <em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em> (Oligochaeta). <em>Revue d&#39;&eacute;cologie et de biologie du sol</em> 26: 291-303.</p>

<p>Yahyaabadi , M., Hamidian, A.H., Ashrafi, S., 2018. Dynamics of earthworm species at different depths of orchard soil receiving organic or chemical fertilizer amendments. <em>Eurasian Journal of Soil Science</em> 7(4): 318 - 325.</p>

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the winter and summer seasons at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh, to examine the seasonal variations in the life cycle, growth, and reproduction of two epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae. Earthworm species were reared in plastic containers filled with cow dung as the feeding medium, maintaining a moisture level of 60%–80%. Growth and reproductive characteristics were recorded at various stages. The results indicated that Eisenia fetida exhibited a longer incubation period (24±4.69 and 23.0±4.16 days), a higher number of hatchlings per cocoon (2.4±1.19 and 2.7±0.96), and greater hatching success rates (82.5% and 87.5%) during both winter and summer seasons, respectively. In contrast, Eudrilus eugeniae attained the greatest body length (12.98±0.69 cm and 13.09±0.54 cm per worm) and the highest weight (775.67±66.40 mg and 703.5±55.56 mg per worm) in winter and summer, respectively. Both species reached sexual maturity relatively earlier in winter. Additionally, E. fetida produced a higher number of cocoons per worm per week (2.35 ± 0.30 in winter and 3.00 ± 1.35 in summer). Cocoon production per worm per week in E. fetida showed a significant positive correlation with temperature (r=0.61**) during winter.

Keywords: Seasonal effects, life cycle, growth, reproduction, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae.

References

Baker, G., 2007. Differences in nitrogen release from surface and incorporated plant residues by two endogeic species of earthworms (Lumbricidae) in a red–brown earth soil in southern Australia. European Journal of Soil Biology 43: 165–170.

Bhat, S.A., Singh, J., Vig, A.P., 2015. Potential utilization of bagasse as feed material for earthworm Eisenia fetida and production of vermicompost. Springerplus 4: 11.

Biradar, P.M., Amoji, S.D., 2003. Influence of organic wastes and seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida. Journal of Environmental Biology 24: 81-89.

Blouin, M., Hodson, M.E., Delgado, E., Baker, G., Brussaard, L., Butt, K.R., 2013. A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services. European Journal of Soil Science 64(2): 161–182.

Bondhare, S.O., Desai, R.B., 2019. Comparison of life cycle of earthworms Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus rubellus under controlled condition, in Nanded district. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 7: 556-559.

Bouché, M.B., 1977. Strategies lombriciennes, In: Soil organisms as components of ecosystems. Lohm. U., Persson. T., (Eds.). Vol 25, Ecological Bulletins: Stockholm, Sweden. pp. 122–133.

Byambas, P., Hornick, J.L., Marlier, D., Francis, F., 2019. Vermiculture in animal farming: A review on the biological and non-biological risks related to earthworms in animal feed. Cogent Environmental Science 5: 1591328.

Debnath, S., Chaudhuri, P., 2020. Cocoon biology of earthworms of waste deposit sites of Tripura (India). Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology 41: 32-46.

Dominguez, J., Edwards, C.A., Dominguez, J., 2001. The biology and population dynamics of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) (Oligochaeta) in cattle waste solids. Pedobiologia 45(4): 341-353.

Dominguez, J.E.C.A., Edwards, C.A., 2011. Biology and ecology of earthworm species used for vermicomposting. In: Vermiculture technology: Earthworms, Organic waste and Environmental management. Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., Sherman, R.L. (Eds.). CRC Press, Boca Raton. pp. 27-40.

Edwards, C.A., 1988. Breakdown of animal, vegetable and industrial organic wastes by earthworms, In: Earthworms in Waste and Environmental Management. Edwards, C.A., Neuhauser, E.F., (Eds.). SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, The Netherlands. pp. 21–31.

Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., 2022. Biology and ecology of earthworms, Vol 3. Springer Science & Business Media, 567p.

Emperor, G.N., Kumar, K., Ravikumar, G., 2016. Growth performance and hatchling rate of Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida in different concentrations of tea waste, cow dung and kitchen waste mixture. Asian Journal of Innovative Research 1: 46-52.

Fragoso, C., 2001. Las lombrices de tierra de México (Annelida, Oligochaeta): Diversidad, ecología y manejo. Acta Zoológica Mexicana 1: 131-171.

Garg, V.K., Chand, S., Chhillar, A., Yadav, A. 2006. Growth and reproduction of Eisenia foetida in various animal wastes during vermicomposting. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 3: 51–59.

Gomez, K.A., Gomez, A.A., 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. John Willey & Sons, New York. pp. 28-192.

Graff, O., 1982. Vergleich der Regenwurmarten Eisenia foetida und Eudrilus eugeniae hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Proteingewinnung aus Abfallstoffen. Pedobiologia 23: 277-282.

Hättenschwiler, S., Gasser, P. 2005. Soil animals alter plant litter diversity effects on decomposition. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102: 1519–1524.

Kahneh, E., Shirinfekr, A., Ramzi, S., Salimi, K., 2022. Effects of long-term tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivation on the earthworm populations in northern Iran. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(3): 234-240.

Kawecki, T.J., Stearns, S.C., 1993. The evolution of life histories in spatially heterogeneous environments: optimal reaction norms revisited. Evolutionary Ecology 7: 155-174.

Knieriemen, D., 1984. Biomassegewinnung durch Vermehrung wärmeliebender Regenwurmarten. Doctorate thesis. Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany.

Lavelle, P., Spain, A., Blouin, M., Brown, G., Decaëns, T., Grimaldi, M., Jiménez, J.J., McKey, D., Mathieu, J., Velasquez, E., Zangerlé, A., 2016. Ecosystem engineers in a self-organized soil: a review of concepts and future research questions. Soil Science 181: 91–109.

Loehr, R.C., Neuhauser, E.F., Malecki, M.R., 1985. Factors affecting the vermistabilization process: Temperature, moisture content and polyculture. Water Research 19: 1311-1317.

Lofs-Holmin, A., 1985. Vermiculture - Present knowledge of the art of the earthworm farming-a summary of recent literatüre. Rapport-Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Institutionen foer Ekologi och Miljoevaard. Uppsala, Sweden pp.1–69.

Mba, C.C., 1983. Utilization of Eudrilus eugeniae for disposal of cassava peel. In: Earthworm Ecology: From Darwin to Vermiculture. J.E. Satchell (Ed.). Chapman and Hall, London. pp. 315-321.

Neuhauser, E.F., Kaplan, D.L., Hartenstein, R., 1979. Life history of the earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg). Review of Soil Ecology and Biology 16: 524-534.

Parthasarathi, K., 2007. Life cycle of Lampito mauritii (Kinberg) in comparison with Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) cultured on different substrates. Journal of Environmental Biology 28(4): 803-812.

Podolak, A., Kostecka, J., Mazur-Pączka, A., Garczyńska, M., Pączka, G., Szura, R., 2020. Life cycle of the Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta earthworms (Oligohaeta, Lumbricidae). Journal of Ecological Engineering 21: 40-45.

Radaei, M., Izadi, M., 2016. Response of earthworm’s biomass and soil properties in different afforested type areas in the North Iran. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 5(1): 47 - 52.

Reinecke, A.J., Kriel, J.R., 1981. Influence of temperature on the reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Oligochaeta). South African Journal of Zoology 16: 96–100.

Reynolds, J.W., Wetzel, M.J., 2004. Nomenclatura Oligochaetologica. Supplementum Quartum.  A  catalogue  of  names,  descriptions  and  type  specimens  of  the  Oligochaeta.  Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication.

Sangwan, P., Kaushik, C.P., Garg, V.K., 2008. Vermicomposting of sugar industry waste (press mud) mixed with cow dung employing an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. Waste Management and Research 28: 71-75.

Seenappa, S.N., 2011. Seasonal effects on growth and bioenergetics of Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinb.) using cane sugar pressmud (CSP) as feed substrate. World Journal of Environmental Biosciences 1: 467-475.

Segun, A.O., 1998. Tropical Zoology. University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2nd Edition, 283p..

Shagoti, U.M., Amoji, S.D., Biradar, V.A., Biradar, P.M., 2001. Effect of temperature on growth and reproduction of the epigeic earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg). Journal of Environmental Biology 22: 213-217.

Thirumagal, A., Deivanayaki, M., 2017. Effect of different Adhatoda vasica leaves media on the growth and cocoon production of Eudrilus eugeniae. Research Journal of Science and Technology 9: 288-292.

Tiwari, S.C., Mishra, R.R., 1993. Fungal abundance and diversity in earthworm casts and in uningested soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 16: 131-134.

Venter, J.M., Reinecke, A.J., 1988. The life-cycle of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta). South African Journal of Zoology 23(3): 161-165.

Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1994. The life-cycle and reproduction of Eudrilus eugeniae under controlled environmental conditions. Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen Zoologischen Museum und Institut  89:149-157.

Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1992. The temperature requirements of the epigeic earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae (Oligochaeta) - a laboratory study. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 24: 1345-1350.

Viljoen, S.A., Reinecke, A.J., 1989. Moisture and growth, maturation and cocoon production of Eudrilus eugeniae (Oligochaeta). Revue d'écologie et de biologie du sol 26: 291-303.

Yahyaabadi , M., Hamidian, A.H., Ashrafi, S., 2018. Dynamics of earthworm species at different depths of orchard soil receiving organic or chemical fertilizer amendments. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 7(4): 318 - 325.