Vermicomposting potential of the native earthworm, Lampito mauritii (Kinb.) with three different leaf litter wastes.
Sumathi V., Isaiarasu L.
Author Affiliation: Post-graduate and Research Department of Zoology, ANJA College (Autonomous), Sivakasi - 626 124, India.
Journal of Experimental Zoology, India 12 : 51-55
Abstract : The life span of the native earthworm, Lampito mauritii (Kinb.) as observed in the present study ranged from 73 to 119 days attaining a maximum weight of 119±6 mg/worm and length of 142±5 mm/worm respectively. The worms recorded a growth of 88 per cent in weight and 58 per cent in length in a period of 40 days showing a rate of 1.5 mg/day and 1.15 mm/day respectively. The physico-chemical analysis of the vermicompost produced by these worms from the leaf litter wastes of three different plants namely mango, guava and custard apple resulted a substantial increase in the nutrient composition of the compost produced. The variations observed in the nutrient composition of the composts also indicated that vermicomposting is largely influenced by the food quality and that the compost produced from custard apple leaf litter was relatively better.