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Feedstock composition influences vermicomposting performance of Dichogaster annae relative to Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus

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Abstract

Carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio influences substrate combinations and earthworm performance in vermicomposting systems. To elucidate these factor effects, a comparative evaluation of species, C/N ratio combined with feed rate, was conducted on three local earthworm species: Perionyx excavatus, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Dichogaster annae. Earthworms were stocked at similar densities and fed shredded paper (SP), cattle manure (CM), and lawn clippings (LC) combined to form C/N ratios of 28, 36, and 53. Earthworms were fed at rates of 1, 1.25, and 2 g feed (dry wt.)/g worm/day for a period of 8 weeks. Percent vermiconversion, earthworm adult and juvenile biomass, and vermicast quality were measured. Vermicast production was significantly affected by the combination of C/N ratio and feed rate and varied among species. All treatment combinations resulted in > 70% conversion, except E. eugenaie fed at the medium rate. Vermiconversion increased for P. excavatus and D. annae with increasing C/N ratio but decreased with increasing the feed rate. Vermicast EC, pH, and C/N ratio was strongly affected by species, relative to other experimental factors. D. annae showed the greatest change in biomass, which peaked at the highest feed rate and lowest C/N ratio. Average adult biomass decreased for P. excavatus with increasing feed rate, while differences were nonsignificant for E. eugenaie and D. annae. Significant increases in average juvenile biomass were only evident for D. annae in response to increasing feed rates. Feed rate had a greater influence on earthworm population dynamics and vermicast quality compared to initial feedstock C/N ratio.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend a special thank you to the Head, Department of Food Production, for assisting in providing the necessary resources for completion of this research.

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  1. Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

    Micah Martin & Gaius Eudoxie

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  1. Micah Martin
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Correspondence to Micah Martin.

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Martin, M., Eudoxie, G. Feedstock composition influences vermicomposting performance of Dichogaster annae relative to Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 17716–17725 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1853-1

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