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SURVIVABILTY AND MULTLIPLICATION OF EARTHWORM SPECIES (Eisenia

fetida: Oligochaeta, Savigny) DURING POULTRY WASTE DISPOSAL

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International Invention Journal of Agricultural and Soil Science (ISSN: 2408-7254) Vol. 3(3) pp. 43-46, September, 2015
Available online http://internationalinventjournals.org/journals/IIJAS
Copyright ©2015 International Invention Journals

Full Length Research Paper

SURVIVABILTY AND MULTLIPLICATION OF

EARTHWORM SPECIES (Eisenia fetida: Oligochaeta,
Savigny) DURING POULTRY WASTE DISPOSAL
T. N. Joshi1*, D. B. Nepali1, R. A. Sah1 and T. C. Bhattarai2
1
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
2
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industries, Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

A experiment (90 Days) was conducted to find the multiplication and survivability of epigeic earthworm
species Eisenia foetida while composting poultry litter at IAAS Livestock farm, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
during summer to rainy season, 2012. Treatments comprised of broiler cage litter (Parent stock's litter),
broiler deep litter, commercial layer cage litter and layer deep litter each combined with earthworms
were allowed to compost in bed size (1.36x0.50x0.14) m3 replicated thrice in a factorial CRD. Results
revealed that highest mortality (97.7%) and lowest earthworm multiplication were seen in broiler deep
litter followed by broiler cage litter, layer deep litter and layer cage litter respectively. Worm's biomass
was found significantly higher in layer's cage litters and broiler cage litters (3235 mg of 3687
earthworms) as compared to layer deep and broiler deep litter. Cocoon formation was found in the
order: layer cage litter>broiler cage litter (parent stock)> layer deep litter>broiler deep litter. Among four
types of poultry litter, layer cage litter was found the best substrates for earthworm activities followed
by layer deep litter, broiler cage litter and broiler deep litter respectively.

Keywords: Poultry litter, Vermicomposting, Eisenia fetida, Earthworm bio-mass, earthworm multiplication,
cocoon formation.

INTRODUCTION
Poultry industries are growing rapidly in the world and
generating huge amount of waste annually and at the
same time addressing poverty alleviation of pro-poor
population (Agblevor et al., 2010). According to Bhattarai
(2012), the recent population status of poultry in Nepal
is; 1.1 million broiler parents, ten thousands layer
parents, 76 million commercial broilers and 8.3 million
commercial layers which equals about 85.5 million
poultry producing about 0.1 million metric ton manure
per year. This huge quantity of poultry waste needs to be
disposed of in a technically-feasible, environmentally-
sound and economically-viable manner.
Poultry manure contains higher concentration of
nutrients as compared to manure from other large
animals. However, it is not suitable for direct application
*Corresponding Author Email: joshitoyanath@gmail.com
into the field and research has been therefore directed to
utilize these wastes in different ways. Poultry litters
contain high concentration of nitrogenous material which
cause suffocation to earthworm species while
decomposition of poultry litter (Edwards and Bohlen,
1996). Higher NH3+ concentration in the surrounding
environment than it has in the skin cells of earthworm
leads to no diffusion of NH3+ out from their body causing
toxification in earthworm body (Edwards and Bohlem,
1996). Furthermore, during composting, poultry litters
generate heat which also alters the breeding condition of
earthworm species. Many researchers have been
conducted for survivability of earthworm species while
composting poultry waste (Beohar and Srivastava, 2011)
and suitability of poultry waste disposal. Turan (1999)
found that a value added product can be made through
vermicomposting of poultry litters. Similarly, Guerra-
Rodriguez et al. (2001) also indicated that there is a
possibility of poultry litter disposal through
vermicomposting. Thus, studies clearly showed the
possibility of poultry waste disposal by vermicomposting.
Thus, this research study was carried out with an
44 Int. Inv. J. Agric. Soil Sci.
objectives of survivability and multiplication of epigeic
earthworm species in poultry litter while
vermicomposting in Nepalese context.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Composting materials
The poultry litters were collected from Pancharatna
Poultry Farm, Chitwan, Nepal and was dried for 4 days
and pre-composted for 15 days prior to composting. E.
foetida, one of the potential species organic waste
decomposition was purchased from Organic Agriculture
Farm, Fulbari, Chitwan, Nepal.
Design of experiment and Treatments combination
Treatment comprised of Layer Cage Litter (LCL), Layer
Deep Litter (LDL), Broiler Cage Litter (BCL) and Broiler
Deep Litter (BDL) each combined with and epegeic
earthworm species E. foetida were allowed to compost
in bed size (1.36x0.50x0.14) m3 and floor of vermibeds
were covered with plastic. To maintain humidity and
aeration vermibeds were covered with wet gunny bags.
The collected poultry litters were pre-digested for 15
days till all the litters were partially decomposed. The
vermi-bed contained pre-digested poultry litters and
maintained in triplicates for each treatments set up.
Twenty kg poultry litter and 400 number/0.50 kg
earthworms per beds were introduced as treatments.
The moisture content was maintained by sprinkling
adequate amount of water, throughout the study period
of 90 days.
Analytical Procedures
Physical parameters
The moisture content in poultry litter was measured by
dry oven and vermicompost yield was measured with
weighing balance.
Biological parameters
Earthworm mortality, biomass and level cocoon
formation were determined in 90th days. Earthworm
mortality was recorded by counting total live earthworm
at the end of the research so that best poultry litter for
vermicomposting and best combination of poultry litter
with E. foetida could be predicted. Highest mortality
indicated a poor vermicomposting capacity and vice
versa. All the parameters were analyzed in the
vermicompost on the 90th day. The data obtained was
represented as mean ± SEM (p≤0.05).
Statistical Parameter
The data obtained from research was analyzed using
MS Excel and MSTAT-C (Version 1.3, Michigan
University, 1994). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
performed to analyze differences between different
experimental treatments at the 0.05 probability level and
DMRT was performed for mean comparison at the 0.05
level of significance.
RESULTS
Vermicompost yield
Significantly (P<0.01) higher (22 to 30.11 kg weight
gained) vermicompost weight was observed in LDL
followed by LCL (22 to 24.90 kg) and BCL (22 to 22.79
kg) and lowest compost and vermicompost weight was
found in BDL (22 to 20.45) (Table 1).
Earthworm number
Statistical analysis showed that significantly (P<0.01)
higher earthworm number (615) was found in LCL
followed by LDL (250) and BCL (249) and lowest (5)
earthworm number was observed in BDL (Table 1).
Biomass and mortality
Maximum worm biomass was observed in LCL (0.539 kg
earthworm) followed by BCL (0.406 kg) and LDL (0.4 kg)
and lowest in BDL (0.20 kg earthworm). Significantly
(p<0.01) lower earthworm mortality was found in LCL
which was statistically not different to LDL (0 %) and
BCL (0 %) respectively whereas highest earthworm
mortality (48.83 %) was found in BDL (Table 1).
Numbers of cocoons found in different poultry litters
Significantly (p<0.01) higher numbers of cocoons (104)
were found in LCL followed by BCL (92) and LDL (74) and
lowest number of cocoons formation were found in BDL.
Similarly, significantly (p<0.01) higher (3 times) earthworm
multiplication was found in LCL followed by BCL (2 times)
and LDL (2 times) and lowest earthworm multiplication (no
multiplication) was found in BDL (Table 2).
DISCUSSION
Vermicompost yield
Significantly (P<0.01) higher vermicompost weight was
observed in LDL followed by LCL and BCL and lowest
 Joshi et al. 45

Table 1. Effects of EW on vermicompost yield, earthworm number, weight and mortality in different poultry litters
following vermicomposting

Treatment Vermicompost Earthworm Earthworm Mortality

weight (kg) number weight (gm) %
c b b b
BCL 22.8 249.0 406.7 0.0
d c c a
BDL 20.4 5.5 20.8 48.9
b a a b
LCL 24.9 614.5 539.1 0.0
LDL 30.1a 249.7b 400.0b 0.0b
SE m ± 0.52 18.18 14.70 0.08
LSD FA 1.579 54.52 44.08
Earthworm 24.1 559.3 683.3 24.4
EM 25.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
SE m ± 0.3723 12.8596 10.3958 0.0589
Probability
FA <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
FB >0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
AxB <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
CV % 5.25 15.93 10.54 1.67

Table 2. Level of cocoons formation and earthworm multiplication condition in different vermibeds

Parameters BCL BDL LCL LDL

30 0 35 25
Number of cocoon 32 0 34 20
30 0 35 29
Total 92 0 104 74
Mean 30.7 0 34.7 24.7
±SE 0.7 0 0.3 2.7
Earthworm multiplication condition Medium No High Medium

compost and vermicompost weight was found in BDL.
Therefore, it is hypothesized that worm’s activities during
decomposition process may be the factors for more yield
of vermicompost, although this needs experimental
confirmation. Furthermore, bedding materials having
easily netabolizable organic matter and low
concentration of growth retarding substances favours the
worm’s growth in substrates leading to more yield of
compost (Suthar 2007).
Earthworm number
Statistical analysis showed that significantly (P<0.01)
higher earthworm number was found in LCL followed by
LDL and BCL and lowest earthworm number was
observed in BDL. The lowest numbers of earthworm in
broiler deep litter may be due to high concentration of
ammonia present in the litter and furthermore broiler
deep litter was used as substrate in 42 days of broiler
removal from the poultry house which was not properly
decomposed for better earthworm activities. The result is
also supported by researchers (Khan, 2006; Beohar and
Srivastava, 2011 and Benito et al., 2010).
Biomass and mortality
Maximum worm biomass was observed in LCL followed
by BCL and LDL and lowest in BDL. Significantly
(p<0.01) higher worm's mortality in BDL during
vermicomposting may be due to alteration of feed
chemical composition, pH of the feed substrate,
presence of high C/N ratio in initial waste materials and
production of toxic gases like ammonia, carbon dioxide
and nitrogen oxides are the major factors responsible for
earthworms' mortality during vermicomposting (Flegel
and Schreder, 2000). Higher mortality was observed in
those litters which generate higher heat during initial
period vermicomposting, highest pH and higher organic
matter concentrations. Extent of worm mortality was
different in different experimental units which may be
due to chemical composition and quality of poultry litters
which were used during vermicomposting.
Numbers of cocoons found in different poultry litters
Significantly (p<0.01) higher level of cocoons formation
were found in LCL followed by BCL and LDL and lowest
46 Int. Inv. J. Agric. Soil Sci.

number of cocoons formation were found in BDL. The
lowest level of cocoon formation in BDL is due to
mortality of worms that leads cessation of earthworm
growth and multiplication. Different rates of cocoon
production in different substrates could related to the
biochemical quality of the feed substrates used during
vermicomposting that determines the time taken to reach
sexual maturity and onset of reproduction in worms
(Flack and Hartenstein, 1984). Edwards et al. (1998)
reported that the major factor influencing the rate of
cocoon production among different feed substrates is the
biochemical quality of substrates which is the important
factor determining one of cocoon production in worms.
CONCLUSIONS
Bioconversion of poultry litter is possible through
vermitechnology employing indigenous earthworm
species E. fetida. The study clearly showed that all types
of poultry litter can be used as substrates for
vermicomposting however; broiler deep litter shows
maximum earthworm mortality and minimum earthworm
multiplication with low level of cocoon formation. Broiler
deep litter can be used as a substrate for
vermicomposting by pre-composting 20-25 days. The
research concludes that earthworm species E. fetida can
be efficiently used for decomposition of poultry litter and
vermicomposting can be deliberated as a viable
technology for poultry waste management.
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How to cite this article: Joshi TN, Nepali1 DB, Sah RA, Bhattarai
TC (2015). SURVIVABILTY AND MULTLIPLICATION OF
EARTHWORM SPECIES (Eisenia fetida: Oligochaeta, Savigny)
DURING POULTRY WASTE DISPOSAL. Int. Inv. J. Agric. Soil
Sci. Vol. 3(3): 43-46

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to Dr. Surya Bhattarai,

Professor, Central Queensland University for detail
editing and giving constructive comments. The authors
offer their thanks to AUS AID PSLP project for providing
research grant. The authors are also thankful to the
reviewer Prof. Durga Datta Dhakal, Country Director,
PSLP Project for useful comments.

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