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
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.