An investigation of the effects of density on the final production of earth worm (Eisenia foetida)

Subject Areas : New Technologies in Aquaculture Development

Received: 2020-12-06 Accepted : 2020-12-06 Published : 2011-02-20

Keywords: growth, Keywords: Storage density, Red earthworm (Eisenia foetida),

Abstract :

Abstract[1] The present study was performed to find the suitable conditions for the breeding of Eisenia foetida earthworm. The worms were studied in the storage densities of 50 and 70 grams and in three life stages during 15 weeks. The air temperature and humidity (percentage) were recorded every day. For both storage densities, the worms were selected from the adults with genital belts and mean body weight of 0.51 g; the young worms with no genital belt and mean weight of 0.38, and the infant worms with the mean weight of 0.27 g. After 15 weeks, the worms were picked up from the cultivated area. The final growth rate in the density of 70 grams for adult worms was 51.66; for young worms 7.2 and for infant worms 86.17, but their growth rates for adult worms in the density of 50 grams were 31.4, 10.4 and 10.8 for adult, young and infant worms, respectively. The results of breeding red earthworms (Eisenia foetida) showed that the appropriate storage density for biomass production is the initial density of 70 grams for adult worms. To reach higher mass and better growth, it is better to harvest the worms when ten weeks old. * Corresponding Author; Email: [e-mail]