Comparative evaluation of growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in various agro-industrial wastes blended with horse manure in Ethiopia
Article Main
Abstract
Understanding how different substrates impact the reproductive and growth potential of vermicomposting worms is essential for optimizing their application in waste management across diverse sources and promoting sustainable agriculture. The present study assessed the growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida, a key vermicomposting species, across three agro-industrial wastes: brewery malt sludge (W1), potato chip factory waste (W2), and avocado oil factory sludge (W3), mixed with horse manure at a 3:1 ratio. Parameters such as growth, sexual maturation, cocoon production rate, incubation period, and hatching success were evaluated. Results showed cocoon production rates of 0.43 ± 1.22 per worm per day in W1, 0.40 ± 1.44 in W2, and 0.27 ± 1.62 in W3. The highest hatchling count per cocoon (3.16 ± 0.54) and maximum weight gain (0.65 ± 0.98 grams) were observed in W1. Waste from W1 and W2 were found to be highly effective substrates for the growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida. In contrast, waste from W3 an avocado oil factory showed comparatively lower performance. No mortality was observed, indicating that these agro-industries could effectively manage their waste through vermicomposting by utilizing appropriate worm species, such as E. fetida.
Article Details
Article Details
Keywords
Cocoon , Eisenia fetida, Epigeic worms, Vermicomposting
References
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Akhila, A. & Entoori, K. (2022). Role of earthworms in soil fertility and its impact on agriculture: A review. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies, 9, 55-63. https://doi.org/10.22271/23940522.2022.v9.i3a.907
Alayu, E. & Leta S. (2020). Brewery sludge quality, agronomic importance and its short-term residual effect on soil properties. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 17, 2337-2348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02630-2
Ali S. & Kashem, M.A. (2018). Life cycle of vermicomposting earthworms Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae under laboratory controlled condition. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 10, 8110-8113. http://doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2018.10.002015
Alipour, S.M., Fataei. E., Nasehi, F. & Imani, A. (2022). Evaluating the Changes in Quantities and Types of Substrates Containing Organic Wastes on the Growth and Reproduction of the Earthworm (Eisenia fetida). Journal of Advanced Environmental Health Research, 10, 39-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/JAEHR.10.1.1230
Ananthavalli, R., Ramadas, V., Paul, J.A.J., Selvi, B.K. & Karmegam, N. (2019). Vermistabilization of seaweeds using an indigenous earthworm species, Perionyx excavates (Perrier). Ecological Engineering, 130, 23-31.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.02.001
Aynehband, A., Gorooei, A. & Moezz, A. A. (2017). Vermicompost: An eco-friendly technology for crop residue management in organic agriculture. Energy Procedia, 141, 667-671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.11.090
Bhat, S.A., Singh, J. & Vig, A.P. (2016). Management of sugar industrial wastes through vermitechnology. International Letters of Natural Sciences, 55, 35-43.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.025
Biradar, P.M. & Amoji, S.D. (2003). Influence of organic wastes and seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida. Journal of Environmental Biology, 24, 81-89. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.ni h.gov/12974416/
Chauhan, H.K. & Singh, K. (2013). Effect of tertiary combinations of animal dung with agrowastes on the growth and development of earthworm Eisenia fetida during organic waste management. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2, 1-7. http://www.ijrowa.com/content/2/1/11
Chauhan, A., Kumar, S., Singh. A.P. & Gupta, M. (2010). Vermicomposting of vegetable wastes with cowdung using three earthworm species Eisenia foetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus. Nature and science, 8, 34-42. https://doi. org/10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.1.56439
Chaulagain, A., Maharjan, B., Pathak, R., Piya, S., Chimoriya, S., Shrestha, I., & Lamichhane, J. (2017). Effect of feeding materials on yield, quality of vermicompost, multiplication and reproduction of Eisenia foetida. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 13, 15-25. https://doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v13i2.21280
Debnath, S. & Chaudhuri, P.S. (2020). Growth and reproduction of Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) during vermicomposting of different plant residues. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 19, 1937-1943. http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jas.v4.n1.p7
Ferguson, M. M., & Phillips, J. B. (2012). Equine Waste Management: Handling Manure for Healthy Horses, Healthy Pastures. University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. https://www.uky.edu
Gezahegn, D. & Chirotaw, A. (2024). Life Cycle Patterns of Epigeic Earthworm Species (Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, and Dendrobaena veneta) in a Blend of Brewery Sludge and Cow Dung. International Journal of Zoology, 2024, 1-7.https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6615245
Gezahegn, D. & Girum, T. (2017). Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in three varieties of flower (rose, carnation and hypericum) leftovers. Journal of Entomology and Nematology, 9, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.5897/JEN2017.0181
Jayakumar, V., Murugan, S.S. & Manivannan, S. (2018). Biodyanamics of epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida during recycling of poultry waste amended with different organic food sources. International Archives of Applied Science and Technology, 9, 46-51. https://doi.org/10.15515/iaast.0976-4828.9.4.4651
Kabi, F., Kayima, D., Kigozi, A., Mpingirika, E.Z., Kayiwa, R. & Okello, D. (2020). Effect of different organic substrates on reproductive biology, growth rate and offtake of the African night crawler earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae). Organic Agriculture, 10, 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-020-00284-5
Li, Y., Luo, J., Yu, J., Xia, L., Zhou, C., Cai, L. & Ma, X. (2018). Improvement of the phytoremediation efficiency of Neyraudia reynaudiana for lead-zinc mine-contaminated soil under the interactive effect of earthworms and EDTA. Scientific reports 8: 1-10. 10.1038/s41598-018-24715-2
Maharjan, K.K., Noppradit, P. & Techato, K. (2023). Potential of Eisenia fetida (Redworm) for the conversion of three varieties of organic waste. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 11, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.30486/IJROWA.2022.1958871.1466
Mahboub, K. A., Mammadov, G.M., Fatemi, C.A. & Sedaghathoor, S. (2016). Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia foetida in cow manure, cow manure+ sugarcane bagasse, and cow manure+ sawdust waste. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 14, 237-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1401_237247
Mashur, M., Bilad, M.R., Hunaepi, H., Huda, N. & Roslan, J. (2021). Formulation of Organic Wastes as Growth Media for Cultivation of Earthworm Nutrient-Rich Eisenia foetida. Sustainability, 13, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810322
Moreno, M.A., Gracianteparaluceta, B., Sadaba, S., Cobo, E. & Seco, A. (2024). A biological insight of hops wastes vermicomposting by Eisenia andrei. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 26, 444-454.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01848-9
Nagannawar, M.F., Patil, S.R. & Biradar, P.M. (2021). Growth and reproduction of the epigeic earthworm, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) cultured in various organic wastes. Journal of Advanced Zoology, 42, 43-60. https://doi.org/10.17762/jaz.v42i01.5
Oljira, T., Muleta, D & Jida, M. (2018). Potential applications of some indigenous bacteria isolated from polluted areas in the treatment of brewery effluents. Biotechnology research international, 2018, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9745198
Parihar, K., Kumar, R. & Sankhla, M.S. (2019). Impact of heavy metals on survivability of earthworms. International medico-legal reporter journal, 2, 51-57. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3497689
Podolak, A., Kostecka, J., Paczka, A.M., Garczynska, M., Paczka, G. & Szura, R. (2020). Life cycle of Eisenia fetida and Dendrobanea veneta earthworms. Journal of Ecological Engineering 21,40-45. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/113410
Prashija, K.V. & Parthasarathi, K. (2019). Potentiality of indigenous earthworms (Perionyx excavatus, perrier and Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) in managing lignocellulosic wastes for organic farming. Russian Agricultural Sciences, 45: 164-174. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367419020198
Priya, Y. & Sudesh, R. (2022). Influence of Autumn Leaves on Growth and Reproductive performance of Earthworms (Eisenia foetida). International Journal of Zoological Investigations, 8, 130-135. https://doi.org/10.33745/ijzi.2022.v08i02.016
Sadia, M.A., Hossain, M.A., Islam, M.R., Akter, T. & Shaha, D.C. (2020). Growth and reproduction performances of earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) fed with different organic waste materials. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 7(2), 331-337. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g426
Shafique, I., Andleeb, S., Naeem, F., Ali, S., Tabassum, T., & Sultan, T. (2023). Solid Waste Management: Impact of Organic Waste on Growth and Reproduction of Earthworm Eisenia fetida via Vermicomposting. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2023, 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20220427070452
Shetty, A. & Biradar, P.M. (2023). Biology of the epigeic earthworm, Eisenia fetida in different organic wastes. Journal of Environmental Biology, 44, 736-743. http://doi.org/10.22438/jeb/44/5/MRN-5133
Singh, A. & Singh, K. (2023). Potential utilization of industrial waste as feed material for the growth and reproduction of earthworms. European Journal of Biological Research 13: 71-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7730476
Sonia, V., Felix, S. & Antony, C. (2016). Comparative study of growth and reproduction of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae in different organic substrate. International Journal of Applied sciences, 4, 61-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jas.v4.n1.p7
Ahmed, N. & Al-Mutairi, K.A. (2022). Earthworms effect on microbial population and soil fertility as well as their interaction with agriculture practices. Sustainability, 14, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137803
Akhila, A. & Entoori, K. (2022). Role of earthworms in soil fertility and its impact on agriculture: A review. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies, 9, 55-63. https://doi.org/10.22271/23940522.2022.v9.i3a.907
Alayu, E. & Leta S. (2020). Brewery sludge quality, agronomic importance and its short-term residual effect on soil properties. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 17, 2337-2348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02630-2
Ali S. & Kashem, M.A. (2018). Life cycle of vermicomposting earthworms Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae under laboratory controlled condition. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 10, 8110-8113. http://doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2018.10.002015
Alipour, S.M., Fataei. E., Nasehi, F. & Imani, A. (2022). Evaluating the Changes in Quantities and Types of Substrates Containing Organic Wastes on the Growth and Reproduction of the Earthworm (Eisenia fetida). Journal of Advanced Environmental Health Research, 10, 39-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/JAEHR.10.1.1230
Ananthavalli, R., Ramadas, V., Paul, J.A.J., Selvi, B.K. & Karmegam, N. (2019). Vermistabilization of seaweeds using an indigenous earthworm species, Perionyx excavates (Perrier). Ecological Engineering, 130, 23-31.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.02.001
Aynehband, A., Gorooei, A. & Moezz, A. A. (2017). Vermicompost: An eco-friendly technology for crop residue management in organic agriculture. Energy Procedia, 141, 667-671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.11.090
Bhat, S.A., Singh, J. & Vig, A.P. (2016). Management of sugar industrial wastes through vermitechnology. International Letters of Natural Sciences, 55, 35-43.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.025
Biradar, P.M. & Amoji, S.D. (2003). Influence of organic wastes and seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida. Journal of Environmental Biology, 24, 81-89. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.ni h.gov/12974416/
Chauhan, H.K. & Singh, K. (2013). Effect of tertiary combinations of animal dung with agrowastes on the growth and development of earthworm Eisenia fetida during organic waste management. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2, 1-7. http://www.ijrowa.com/content/2/1/11
Chauhan, A., Kumar, S., Singh. A.P. & Gupta, M. (2010). Vermicomposting of vegetable wastes with cowdung using three earthworm species Eisenia foetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus. Nature and science, 8, 34-42. https://doi. org/10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.1.56439
Chaulagain, A., Maharjan, B., Pathak, R., Piya, S., Chimoriya, S., Shrestha, I., & Lamichhane, J. (2017). Effect of feeding materials on yield, quality of vermicompost, multiplication and reproduction of Eisenia foetida. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 13, 15-25. https://doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v13i2.21280
Debnath, S. & Chaudhuri, P.S. (2020). Growth and reproduction of Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) during vermicomposting of different plant residues. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 19, 1937-1943. http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jas.v4.n1.p7
Ferguson, M. M., & Phillips, J. B. (2012). Equine Waste Management: Handling Manure for Healthy Horses, Healthy Pastures. University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. https://www.uky.edu
Gezahegn, D. & Chirotaw, A. (2024). Life Cycle Patterns of Epigeic Earthworm Species (Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, and Dendrobaena veneta) in a Blend of Brewery Sludge and Cow Dung. International Journal of Zoology, 2024, 1-7.https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6615245
Gezahegn, D. & Girum, T. (2017). Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in three varieties of flower (rose, carnation and hypericum) leftovers. Journal of Entomology and Nematology, 9, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.5897/JEN2017.0181
Jayakumar, V., Murugan, S.S. & Manivannan, S. (2018). Biodyanamics of epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida during recycling of poultry waste amended with different organic food sources. International Archives of Applied Science and Technology, 9, 46-51. https://doi.org/10.15515/iaast.0976-4828.9.4.4651
Kabi, F., Kayima, D., Kigozi, A., Mpingirika, E.Z., Kayiwa, R. & Okello, D. (2020). Effect of different organic substrates on reproductive biology, growth rate and offtake of the African night crawler earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae). Organic Agriculture, 10, 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-020-00284-5
Li, Y., Luo, J., Yu, J., Xia, L., Zhou, C., Cai, L. & Ma, X. (2018). Improvement of the phytoremediation efficiency of Neyraudia reynaudiana for lead-zinc mine-contaminated soil under the interactive effect of earthworms and EDTA. Scientific reports 8: 1-10. 10.1038/s41598-018-24715-2
Maharjan, K.K., Noppradit, P. & Techato, K. (2023). Potential of Eisenia fetida (Redworm) for the conversion of three varieties of organic waste. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 11, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.30486/IJROWA.2022.1958871.1466
Mahboub, K. A., Mammadov, G.M., Fatemi, C.A. & Sedaghathoor, S. (2016). Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia foetida in cow manure, cow manure+ sugarcane bagasse, and cow manure+ sawdust waste. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 14, 237-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1401_237247
Mashur, M., Bilad, M.R., Hunaepi, H., Huda, N. & Roslan, J. (2021). Formulation of Organic Wastes as Growth Media for Cultivation of Earthworm Nutrient-Rich Eisenia foetida. Sustainability, 13, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810322
Moreno, M.A., Gracianteparaluceta, B., Sadaba, S., Cobo, E. & Seco, A. (2024). A biological insight of hops wastes vermicomposting by Eisenia andrei. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 26, 444-454.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01848-9
Nagannawar, M.F., Patil, S.R. & Biradar, P.M. (2021). Growth and reproduction of the epigeic earthworm, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) cultured in various organic wastes. Journal of Advanced Zoology, 42, 43-60. https://doi.org/10.17762/jaz.v42i01.5
Oljira, T., Muleta, D & Jida, M. (2018). Potential applications of some indigenous bacteria isolated from polluted areas in the treatment of brewery effluents. Biotechnology research international, 2018, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9745198
Parihar, K., Kumar, R. & Sankhla, M.S. (2019). Impact of heavy metals on survivability of earthworms. International medico-legal reporter journal, 2, 51-57. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3497689
Podolak, A., Kostecka, J., Paczka, A.M., Garczynska, M., Paczka, G. & Szura, R. (2020). Life cycle of Eisenia fetida and Dendrobanea veneta earthworms. Journal of Ecological Engineering 21,40-45. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/113410
Prashija, K.V. & Parthasarathi, K. (2019). Potentiality of indigenous earthworms (Perionyx excavatus, perrier and Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) in managing lignocellulosic wastes for organic farming. Russian Agricultural Sciences, 45: 164-174. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367419020198
Priya, Y. & Sudesh, R. (2022). Influence of Autumn Leaves on Growth and Reproductive performance of Earthworms (Eisenia foetida). International Journal of Zoological Investigations, 8, 130-135. https://doi.org/10.33745/ijzi.2022.v08i02.016
Sadia, M.A., Hossain, M.A., Islam, M.R., Akter, T. & Shaha, D.C. (2020). Growth and reproduction performances of earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) fed with different organic waste materials. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 7(2), 331-337. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g426
Shafique, I., Andleeb, S., Naeem, F., Ali, S., Tabassum, T., & Sultan, T. (2023). Solid Waste Management: Impact of Organic Waste on Growth and Reproduction of Earthworm Eisenia fetida via Vermicomposting. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2023, 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20220427070452
Shetty, A. & Biradar, P.M. (2023). Biology of the epigeic earthworm, Eisenia fetida in different organic wastes. Journal of Environmental Biology, 44, 736-743. http://doi.org/10.22438/jeb/44/5/MRN-5133
Singh, A. & Singh, K. (2023). Potential utilization of industrial waste as feed material for the growth and reproduction of earthworms. European Journal of Biological Research 13: 71-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7730476
Sonia, V., Felix, S. & Antony, C. (2016). Comparative study of growth and reproduction of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae in different organic substrate. International Journal of Applied sciences, 4, 61-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jas.v4.n1.p7
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Comparative evaluation of growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in various agro-industrial wastes blended with horse manure in Ethiopia. (2025). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 17(2), 690-696. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v17i2.6334
