EFFECTS OF WORM DENSITY ON GROWTH AND COCOON PRODUCTION OF THE AFRICAN NIGHTCRAWLER EUDRILUS-EUGENIAE (OLIGOCHAETA)

Authors
REINECKE AJ VILJOEN SA
Citation
Aj. Reinecke et Sa. Viljoen, EFFECTS OF WORM DENSITY ON GROWTH AND COCOON PRODUCTION OF THE AFRICAN NIGHTCRAWLER EUDRILUS-EUGENIAE (OLIGOCHAETA), European journal of soil biology, 29(1), 1993, pp. 29-34
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Ecology,"Agriculture Soil Science
Journal title
European journal of soil biology → ACNP
ISSN journal
11645563
Volume
29
Issue
1
Year of publication
1993
Pages
29 - 34
Database
ISI
SICI code
1164-5563(1993)29:1<29:EOWDOG>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
Worms of the species Eudrilus eugeniae were kept at 25-degrees-C in ca ttle manure at a moisture content of 80%. The influence of worm densit y on growth and cocoon production was studied. The results showed that worms tend to be smaller and produce fewer cocoons at higher densitie s in spite of the fact that ample food is provided. Vermiculturists sh ould prevent crowded conditions in worm beds by regular harvesting in order to maintain maximum growth and reproduction.