EFFECT OF DIET ON CAST PRODUCTION BY THE MEGASCOLECID EARTHWORM AMYNTHAS- ALEXANDRI IN LABORATORY CULTURE

Feeding and casting activity of Amynthas alexandri fed on corn, wheat leaves, and mixed grasses were monitored in laboratory cultures. Casts were produced on the surface and sides of the containers. Food consum ption varied from 36.5 to 69 mg g(-1) live worm day(-1). Cast producti on ranged from 3.95 to 5.9 mg g(-1) live worm day(-1). The C:N ratio i n casts in laboratory cultures (11.17) and in field samples (8.84) was consistently lower than the corresponding ratio in the parent soil (1 3.19 and 10.54, respectively). This was probably due to mineralization of plant-derived organic material during passage through earthworms w ith consequent low C:N ratios.