Growth of the Earthworm Eisenia Foetida in Relation to Population Density and Food Rationing

Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in three varieties of flower (rose, carnation and hypericum) leftovers

“…In similar pattern, Edwards and Bohlen (1996) and Monroy et al (2007) also reported that rapid pre-reproductive phase of growth, followed by a phase of progressive biomass and growth reduction once sexual maturity was attained These losses in worm biomass might be associated with the exhaustion of food. As supported by Neuhauser et al (1980) who reported that when E. fetida received food below a maintenance level, it lost weight. The weight reduction was also occurred because the earthworms attained the matured stage.…”

“…As huge amount of wastes can be managed through more population of earthworms (Garg and Kaushik, 2005), reproductive and growth performance of various species of earthworms in a range of substrates can act as useful biomarkers to measure the efficiency of an earthworm species in vermicomposting or earthworm based biotechnology (Suthar, 2007;Jesikha and Lekeshmanaswamy, 2013). Neuhauser et al (1980) have reported that the weight gain by Eisenia fetida is positively correlated with food type. Similarly Nath and Chaudhuri (2014) and Nath et al (2009) have also described substrates that provide earthworms with sufficient amount of easily metabolizable organic matter, facilitate growth and reproduction.…”

Irrigation with wastewater on a Canavalia ensiformis cultivation in substrate treated with coffee dregs vermicompost

“…The species is usually used by vermicompost producers, because it is capable of converting slightly decomposed organic residues into stabilized material. Besides, its reproduction and growth rate are high (Neuhauser et al, 1980). This initial experiment was carried out for 90 days, during which the population density of E. foetida was obtained monthly.…”

“…According to Neuhauser et al (1980), the E. foetida worms tend to look for new environments when there is a shortage of cellulose and organic matter in their habitats. As there was no possibility of escaping from the experiment conditions, they died, which explains the significant decrease in population after 90 days of experiment.…”

Development and regeneration of the escape reflex in the earthworm, Eisenia foetida

“…First, these earthworms are easily reared in the laboratory under a variety of growth conditions and reach the adult stage in a few weeks (Kaplan et al, I98O;Neuhauser et al, 1980a). Second, by means of non-invasive electrophysiological recordings, long-term and repeated assessments of the functional development of the giant fibers can be obtained throughout postembryon Ic growth .…”