| Resume |
Purpose The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect
of different animal product wastes and plant compost on
survival and growth of earthworm (Eisenia fetida).
Methods The study is realized in a vermibin for a duration
of 90 days. The initial physico-chemical parameters
(pH, humidity, ash, organic matter, carbon, nitrogen,
phosphorus and C:N ratio) were determined in each waste
of the different substrates before the study. Six waste
products (pig, poultry, rabbit, cattle, sheep and vegetal
compost) in triplicate (6 9 3) were used for earthworm
production. In each 12-l content vermibin, 2 kg of substrate
and 30 g of mature earthworms were sown. Each month,
the growth control was realized by earthworms harvest and
weighing. The earthworms were put back in substrate in
vermibin and 500 g of substrate were completed. The pH
was measured every week.
Results The physico-chemical parameters (pH, ash,
organic matter, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and C:N
ratio) varied (P\0.05) according to different substrate.
The C:N ratio of different organic substrates are in the
range of 8.46 in vegetable compost to 19.39 in pig dung. At
the end of study the biomass gain and mortality varied
(P\0.05) according to different treatments. The growth
rate varied according to different organic waste (P\0.05)
and ranged between -0.06 ± 0.02 (vegetable compost)
and 1.34 ± 0.11 (cow dung). Maximum weight gain and
highest growth rate were attained with cow dung. Earthworm
biomass gain in different animal wastes is in the
order of: cow[pig[rabbit[poultry[sheep[compost
vegetable.
Conclusion The animal wastes (cow, sheep, pig, rabbit
and poultry) and vegetable compost can be used to produce
the earthworm. But the growth and produce depend on the
biochemical quality of the substrates and the availability
and facility for using a nutritive element. |