MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS OF DENDROBAENA-VENETA (OLIGOCHAETA), A CANDIDATE FOR VERMICOMPOSTING

Dendrobaena veneta, an earthworm species from Europe, has been reporte d to have the potential to combat organic waste problems and to be a p roducer of protein. This study was concerned with the effect of moistu re on growth, maturation and cocoon production of this species. Moistu re preferences of clitellate worms were studied with the aid of cylind rical moisture towers filled with cattle manure, ground to a particle size of 500 > < 1000 mum and moistened. A moisture gradient was allowe d to develop in the towers and after the worms were added they were ke pt at a temperature of 15-degrees-C and a relative humidity of 47.7%. Juvenile worms were exposed to different moisture contents in glass fl asks filled with cattle manure medium and kept at 15-degrees-C. The hi ghest frequency for clitellate worms was between 77.9 and 78.7% while their moisture preference ranged between 67.4 and 84.3%. For cocoon pr oduction the highest frequency was between 73.1 and 79.9%. The optimum moisture content for growth and maturation of juvenile worms was 75%. From the results it appears that this earthworm species could be util ized in organic waste with a relatively high moisture content. However , comparing the reproductive capacity and maturation time with that of other vermicomposting species, D. veneta seems to be a less successfu l earthworm species for vermicomposting.