Title: C to N ratio strongly affects population structure of Eisenia fetida in vermicomposting systems
Abstract: Food quality influences not only the size of earthworm populations but also their growth and reproduction rates. Here we studied the effect of C to N ratio of pig slurry in microbial biomass and activity and in the growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. We set up a batch of twelve vermireactors, six each for low (11) and high C to N ratio (19) of pig slurry applied; three of each without earthworms (control) and three containing 500 mature earthworms (E. fetida). After 36 weeks C to N ratio significantly affected earthworm numbers (sevenfold greater in high C to N ratio) and population structure. Thus, in the low C to N ratio treatment the population was composed mainly by mature earthworms (60%), with a higher mean weight than in the high C to N treatment. However, in the high C to N ratio treatment, the population was composed mainly by juvenile and hatchling earthworms (70%). A rapid depletion of dissolved organic C (DOC) content was observed in all treatments. Although earthworms produced an increase in microbial biomass and activity in young modules, finally a decrease in older modules was recorded. The decrease in available carbon did not seem to affect the relationships established between earthworms and microflora.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 74
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