CULTURE OF EPIGENIC EARTHWORM,

EISENIA FETIDA UNDER SHEEP DROPPINGS WASTE AND

EFFECTS OF SHEEP DROPPINGS VERMICOMPOST ON THE

GROWTH OF RADISH PLANT

A Dissertation submitted to government college for women (Autonomous),

(Affiliated to Bharathidasan University)

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of

P.G. Degree Course in

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

ZOOLOGY

Submitted by

R.NANTHINI, M.Sc.,

(Reg. No P14ZOO10)

P.G. AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN (AUTONOMOUS).

KUMBAKONAM - 612 001.

April-2016

CULTURE OF EPIGENIC EARTHWORM,

EISENIA FETIDA UNDER SHEEP DROPPINGS WASTES AND

EFFECTS OF SHEEP DROPPINGS VERMICOMPOST ON THE

GROWTH OF RADISH PLANT

A Dissertation submitted to government college for women (Autonomous),

(Affiliated to Bharathidasan University)

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of

P.G. Degree Course in

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ZOOLOGY

Submitted By

R.NANTHINI, M.Sc.,

(Reg. No P14ZOO10)

Under the Guidance of

Dr. M. DEIVANAYAKI., M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.,

P.G. AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN (AUTONOMOUS),

KUMBAKONAM-612 001.

April-2016

Dr. M. DEIVANAYAKI, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.,

Lecturer in Zoology,

Government College for Women (Autonomous),

Kumbakonam-612 601.

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project work was done under my guidance

and the dissertation entitled “CULTURE OF EPIGENIC EARTHWORM,

EISENIA FETIDA UNDER SHEEP DROPPINGS WASTES AND

EFFECTS OF SHEEP DROPPINGS VERMICOMPOST ON THE

GROWTH OF RADISH PLANT” Submitted by Miss. R. NANTHINI

(Reg.No.P14ZOO10) in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the M.Sc.,

Degree Course for the academic period 2014-2015 in the subject of Zoology

is the original work of the candidate.

Signature of the HOD Signature of the Guide

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and I express my special word

of thanks to Dr. M. DEIVANAYAKI, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., Lecturer in

Zoology, Government College for Women (Autonomous), Kumbakonam for

her research mentor, guidance and constant encouragement throughout the

study.

My sincere thanks to principal Dr. A. JOHNMERINA, M.Sc., M.Phil.,

B.Ed., Ph.D., PGDCA., Government College for Women (Autonomous),

Kumbakonam.

I express my thanks Dr. S. VENKATALAKSHMI, M.Sc., M.Phil.,

Ph.D., Head of the P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Government

College for Women (Autonomous), Kumbakonam, for her valuable advice and

encouragement throughout my project work.

. I express my sincere thanks to Mr. G. SATTANATHAN, M.Sc.,

B.Ed., Ph.D., for providing his balancer during my project work.

I acknowledge my special thanks to Miss. S. BRINDHA, M.Sc., for her

cooperation and help in the successful completion of my project work.

My sincere and helpful thanks to my FAMILY MEMBERS and for their

encouragement and blessing to complete this project successfully.

(R.NANTHINI)

CONTENTS

S.NO TITLE PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 9

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 13

4 TABLES 20

5 SUMMARY 24

6 REFERENCES 29

INTRODUCTION

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION

TABLES

SUMMARY

PHOTOS

REFERENCES

1. INTRODUCTION

Vermicomposting has many benefits for the participants, their

communities, and the environment. In many communities garbage collection

and disposal is a serious problem. In most areas the collected garbage is sent

to a landfill, or simply an area where it is dumped. By diverting organic

material from the waste stream, this amount can be greatly reduced.

The Deccan Development Society in India has reported that nearly 80% of the

waste stream is biodegradable. Much of this material can easily be broken down

in a vermicomposing system. Diverting this waste saves the community

money that would otherwise be spent on it's collection and disposal.

A person or household that utilizes vermicomposting also receives the

benefits of less waste disposal costs. Along with that they receive the end

product of worm castings that are a valuable fertilizer and soil additive. By

using the worm castings and 'worm tea' (liquid that leaches through the

worm bin), they may save money on fertilizers that otherwise would have to

be bought. If the system is large enough, there is the possibility of selling the

worm castings and tea as fertilizer, providing an additional income.

The environment benefits by the reduction of waste in an area, essentially

reducing the ecological footprint of the community present. Usable waste is

"recycled" back into the ecosystem instead of being sent to a landfill or

incinerated.

With earth population recently reaching 7 billion and continuing to rise, a

large problem is feeding all of these people with a limited amount of

agricultural land. Because of this problem, Urban gardening is becoming ever

more important. In Kibera, Nairobi, Urban gardening has been shown to

increase nutrition and also increase family income by money generated

from selling excess produce. Families have been able to increase their

income by 5-6 USD per week. Vermiculture is an easily made fertilizer that

could be used in urban agriculture to boost nutrition and crop yields,

potentially increasing family income. A study done showed that in India and

other locations, vermiculture and vermicompost have the potential of

completely replacing chemical fertilizers. This could have a large impact

because much of today’s synthetic fertilizers are made using large amounts of

fossil fuel.

The Egyptians were one of the first cultures to recognize the soil

amending properties of the earthworm. Under Cleopatra’s rule, the

removal of earthworms from Egypt was a crime that could have one killed.

Worms have been observed by such scholars as Aristotle and Charles Darwin’s

organisms that decompose organic matter into rich humus or compost. It is

believed that the mother of modern day vermiculture is Mary Appelhof .As

Michigan biology teacher, Appelhof wanted to continue composting in winter

months even though she lived in a northern climate. She ordered worms from a

bait shop nearby and set up one of the first indoor composting systems. She

found her composting system to be a great success. Some of the advantages of

vermicomposting over regular composting are that vermicomposting can be

done indoors with relatively no negative effects, it is faster than regular

composting, and it produces an overall better compost.

The world, vermiculture biotechnology implies a modern technique

harnessing the ecosystem for effective utilization of the organic waste with the

help of earthworms, which results into generation of useful organic manure. The

earthworms play an important role in soil biology by serving as versatile natural

bioreactor to harness the beneficial soil microflora and destroy the soil

pathogens, converting the organic waste into useful products such as

biofertilizers and proteinaceous worm biomass and to generate the bacterial

population, which produces the plant growth factors. Earthworm is one of the

living components of soil system and plays a vital role in improving the fertility

of the soil. It ploughs the land and assists in the recycling of organic matter for

the efficient growth of plants. The soil system is loosened, stirred up and

aerated by the actions of earthworm. Earthworms are prominent among soil

fauna and regulate the soil processes (Ismail, 1997). They are found in all types

of soils with sufficient moisture and food (Ghosh, 1993). They act as

decomposers and also a rich protein source (Neuhauser et al., 1979).

The most effective use of earthworms in organic waste management

requires a detailed understanding of biology of all potentially useful species

(Edward, 1998) population dynamics and productivity in earthworms cannot be

fully understood unless the life cycle of each earthworm is known. There are

studies on life cycle and reproductive strategies of earthworms on temperate

species (Lavelle, 1979), Indian species (Julka, 2001) and tropical species (Dash,

1980). Knowledge of reproductive strategies of earthworms comes

predominately from studies on temperate species (Jimenez et al., 1999). Studies

on the life cycles i.e. cocoons production, morphology, hatching pattern and

fecundity of seven tropical earthworm species have been done by (Battacharjee

and Chaudhari, 2002) for effective vermiculture.

Quality of organic waste is one of the factors determining the onset and

rate of reproduction (Domjnguez, 2000). The quantity of food taken by a worm

varies from 100 to 300 mg/g body weight/day (Edwards, 1972). Earthworms

derive their nutrition from organic materials, living microorganisms and by

decomposing animals. Surface living earthworms feed on food material

selectively while deep soil living worms ingest soil as such. The type and

amount of material available influence the size of earthworms, population,

species diversity, growth rate and cocoon production.

Earthworms have been successfully introduced into areas where they are

absent and have found to increase the yield of crops. The long –term benefits of

encouraging earthworms can be translated into dollars. Researchers have

estimated that for every dollar invested in earthworms on New Zealand sheep

farms,the farmer can expect a return of 3.34 and an increase in carrying capacity

of 2.5 stock units/hectare or an increase in productivity of 25-30 per cent

(Crump, 1969). Earthworms are excellent bioindicators of the relative health of

soil ecosystem (Kuhle, 1983). Because of the fact that they are large, numerous,

easy to sample, widely distributed, relatively immobile and are in full contact

with the substrate in which they live and consume large volume of this substrate

they can be used for biomonitoring of terrestrial ecosystem. Most commonly

used species for biomonitoring are Eisenia fetida, E.anderi, Lumbricus rubellus,

L.terrestris, Eudrilus eugeniae, Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. rosea,

Dendrodrilus rubidus and Perionyx excavatus (Eijsackers, 1998 and Spurgeon,

2003).

Mature compost is a brown-black crumbly material with an earthy smell

and a C / N ratio of approximately 10:1. If applied to the soil, microorganisms

continue to degrade the compost through a process called mineralization. This

process takes place slowly in temperate climates and at increased rate under

warm temperatures and moist, but not excessively wet conditions. In tropical

conditions, high radiation loads and high soil temperatures eventually lead to

the total disappearance of the compost leaving only the mineral nutrient behind.

In temperate regions of the world, the mineralization reaction is much slower

and a portion of the organic matter generally becomes stabilized as soil humus.

As a result of the degradation kinetics under the two climatic regimes, annual

applications may be required in tropical soils to achieve optimum benefits of the

compost. In contrast, applications of compost to soils in temperate regions may

result in benefits several years after their application (Dick and MeCoy, 1993).

Being rich in macro and micronutrients, the vermicompost, has been

found an ideal organic manure enhancing biomass production of a number of

crops (Pashanasi, et al., 1996; Vasudevan and Sharma, 1997; Hidalgo,

1999).The importance of vermicompost in agriculture, horticulture, waste

management and soil conservation has been reviewed by many workers (Riggle

and Holmes 1994; Edwards, 1995; Kaviraj and Sharma, 2003). (Darwin, 1881)

stated that the earthworms prepare the ground in an excellent manner for the

growth of fibrous-rooted plants and for seedling of all kinds. The beneficial

effect of earthworms on plant growth may be due to several reasons apart from

the presence of macro and micronutrients in vermicasts and in their secretions in

considerable quantities. It is believed that earthworms produce certain

metabolites, vitamins and similar substances into the soil which may be the B or

D group vitamins (Nielson, 1965). The use of earthworm compost in

commercial production of Chrysanthemum morifolium was advocated by

Martinez and Gomez Zambrano, (1995). Fresh castes often contain high

ammonium levels, but rapid nitrification results in stable levels of both nitrogen

forms due to organic matter protection in dry casts (Decaens et al., 1999).

Nutrient in casts are initially physically protected, but this is reduced as the

aggregate structure weakens over time (Mclnerney and Bolger, 2000). In

addition to increased N availability, C, P, K, Ca and Mg availability in the casts

is also greater than in the starting feed material (Orozco et al., 1996).

Earthworm cast amendment has been shown to increase plant dry weight

(Edwards, 1995) and plant N uptake (Tomati, 1994). Cantanazaro et al., (1998)

demonstrated the importance of the synchronization between nutrient release

and plant uptake and showed that slower release of fertilizers can increase plant

yield and reduce nutrient leaching.

All carbon containing compounds underwent essential degradation

process by the action of microbes, vermicompost support plant growth and can

be used as structural additives for fertile soil to provide nutrients (Kale et al.,

1992). Feeding activities of earthworms significantly enhance mineralization of

plant material; provide nutrient availability for the growth of tree seedlings was

reported by (Haimi et al ., 1990, 1992) and (Sharma, 2004). Application of

vermicompost to the agricultural field improves the physical, chemical and

biological properties of soil. Degradation of organic matter through earthworms

and microbes enhance availability of nutrients required for plant growth.

Microbial communities existing within the earthworm casting and

vermicompost play an important role in plant growth.

United states Department of Agriculture experiments have shown that in

some areas earthworm convert 700 pounds of soil per acre per day into

earthworm castings. These castings are generally mixed with the upper few

inches of the soil causing a buildup in topsoil. Other experiments have shown

that earthworms increase the relative rate of water infiltration from zero inches

per minute to 1.5 inches per minute in clay soil, and can increase the water

stability of various types of soil by 3.5 to 27%.

Experiments and reports have shown increases in yields of approximately

250% for corn, 64% for rye, 3% for oats, 135% for potatoes and 300% for field

peas through using earthworm village. Food grown in fertile soil, with plenty of

organic matter, is inherently larger and contains more vitamins and minerals.

The radishes are cultivated throughout the country in various climates on

numerous elevations. Nowadays radishes are consumed throughout the year for

table or salad purpose, rarely with tender leaves and roots for the purpose of

stimulation of bile function (Lugasi et al., 2005), anticarcinogenicity (Chang

et al.,2005a) and antitumor (Chang et al., 2005b).

The pulse plant, Sheep dropping (Vigna radiata) is cultivated in

Cauvery delta region after paddy harvest as a short term crop. A bulk amount of

sheep droppings wastes was dumped along the road sides during its harvests.

Sometime the dumped waste is burnt as a whole as and some of them may be

used as Fuel materials. But nobody knows the utility value of this material as a

rich source of organic content and as a raw material for vermiculture practices

there by a huge production of vermicompost. Having a good knowledge about

the bulk production of sheep droping waste and its utility value in mind, the

presents study was undertaken to utilize the same for the culture practices of

earthworm and for the production of vermicompost to achieve the goal of

replacing the chemical fertilizer by the application of vermicompost in the field

of agriculture in order to promote pollution free crop production for human

welfare and sustainable development. The proposed work plan comprises the

following aspects.

1. Effect of sheep droppings waste on the production of cocoon and

growth of adult earthworm, Eisenia fetida.

2. Analysis of macro and micronutrients present in the vermicompost of

Sheep droppings waste and

3. Effect of sheep droppings vermicompost on the growth and yield of

radish plant.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

PROCUREMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EISENIA FETIDA

Species of adult Eisenia fetida were purchased from Shanmugham

Nursery Gardens), Papanasam.(Thanjavur). The worms were kept in large trays

with substrate medium, containing 50% partly decomposed cowdung and 50%

soil and maintained under the laboratory condition (temperature range, 31-36oc)

for 30 days. The worms with the size, 6-13 cm in length and 0.13-0.92 gm in

weight were used for the present study.

COLLECTION OF SOIL

Dry soil was taken from the Karna kollai agraharam, for the present

study. It was manually powdered using stone mortar.

COLLECTION OF SHEEP DROPINGS WASTE

The waste materials of sheep droppings were collected from

Shanmugham Nursery Gardens, Papanasam. Thanjavur District.

PARTIAL DECOMPOSITION OF SHEEP DROPPING WASTE

A rectangular brick work plastic tank with size, 90×35×45cm free from

earthworm invasion was constructed and used for the decomposition of sheep

dropping waste. The tank was filled with dry sheep droppings waste and poured

with sufficient water. The tank was closed with polythene sheets to avoid water

evaporation and a possible release of foul smell during decomposition. Water

was poured regularly in the tank after removing the polythene sheets and the

tank was closed again with the same polythene sheets for proper decomposition.

Once in three days, the decomposing materials were thoroughly mixed by using

a wooden rod to ensure uniform decomposition .Ideal semi decomposed sheep

droppings waste in the form of wet powder can be obtained only after 50 days

of decomposition. About 50 kg of dry semi decomposed sheep droppings can be

obtained during one process.

The sheep droppings powder was sieved separately using a sieve with

size 1mm2 to obtain a medium with a particle size less than 1mm as suggested

by Reinecke and Venter (1985). Reduced particle size of the culture medium

was found to be favorable for raising growing worms and also provides more

surface area per volume of culture medium which facilitates microbial activities

as well as moisture availability (Reinecke and Venter,1985).

PREPARATION OF SUBSTRATES FOR COCOON PRODUCTION

STUDY

Six sets of five media with per cent substrate ratios (PSR), 100,75,50, 25,

and 10 were prepared using powdered sheep droppings waste and dry soil with

volume by volume basis and mixed well. Four liters of substrate in each per

cent ratio was taken in an earthen pot and sufficient volume of water was added

it into it to ensure optimum moisture condition as suggested by Martin (1982).

To assess the rate of cocoon production in the above said media, 10 adult

earthworms were introduced into each pot. Six sets of control (soil alone as

substrate) experiments with 10 adult earthworms in each were also maintained

simultaneously along with these media. Regular watering is a must for this

culture study to provide optimum moisture condition to the earthworms.

Cocoons produced by earthworms were collected and recorded once in seven

days for a period of 35days (01.12.2014 - 04.01.2015). The body weight is

recorded during cocoon collection.

Survival of earthworms were also observed in the above said media

during the course of study. Rate of cocoon production was calculated at daily as

well as at monthly basis. At the end of cocoon production study, the substrate

media used by earthworms as vermicompost were collected separately and

stored in polythene bags for macro and micronutrients analysis for radish plant

growth study.

HATCHINGS GROWTH STUDY

All the media used in the cocoon production study after 35 days were

renewed with fresh partly decomposed sheep dropping waste for incubation

time, hatching success and hatchling growth study. Cocoons collected at 7 days

interval for 35 days from the earthworm, Eisenia fetida exposed to different

PSR media were placed separately in plastic cups containing the same PSR

medium and observed their incubation time and hatching ability daily until all

the cocoons were hatched out into hatchings.

MACRO AND MICRONUTRIENTS ANALYSIS

The levels of pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured in the

samples taken from partly decomposed sheep droppings waste (before

vermicomposting), vermicompost (after vermicomposting by Eisenia fetida).

Macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and

micronutrients such as zinc, iron, copper, and manganese were also estimated in

the above said samples at Soil Testing Laboratory, Soil Research Institute,

Aduthurai. The content of macro and micronutrients were expressed as ppm.

EFFECT OF SHEEP DROPPINGS VERMICOMPOST ON THE

GROWTH OF RADISH PLANT

At the end of 30 days of cocoon production study each substrate medium

used by earthworms was collected as vermicompost and stored in separate

polythene bags. 4 kg of vermicompost collected from each PSR (100, 75, 50,

25, 10 and 0%) was transferred separately into twelve circular pots of 16 to 23

cm diameter and 24 cm height. Another 4 kgs of same sheep droppings

decomposed using earthworms was mixed well in the pots in the different PSR

media and was also transferred and separately into another 12 circular pots.

Control experiments was also carried out in duplicate along with this

experiment using soil alone as culture medium. Radish seeds were purchased

from the Salai Agro Agency, Kumbakonam. Three seeds were placed in each

pot at equal distance at 3 different places at 1 cm depth and sufficient water was

poured in all the pots for proper germination of seeds. The experimental pots

were kept at open terrace for direct sunlight. The pots were regularly poured

with sufficient water to ensure proper growth until the plants get harvested (42

days). Care was taken to see that the plants growing in the pots must be

protected from predation if any. After 5 days of cultivation, all the leaves in the

plants were counted. Similar counting was also made at regular week intervals

is all the plants up to 6 weeks. At the end of 6th week all plants were up rooted

and measured their leaves and root weight of the Radish plant.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The rate of cocoon production by earthworm was calculated and statistical

comparisons were made between control and experimental data. Statistical

comparisons were also made in macro and micronutrient levels between the

samples of partly decomposed sheep droppings waste.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

COCOON PRODUCTION STUDY

The rate of cocoon production and weight gain / loss of the epigenic

earthworm, Eisenia fetida kept in the substrate medium containing 0, 10, 25,

50, 75, and 100 per cent substrate ratio (PSR) prepared from partly

decomposed

Sheep dropping waste with soil for 5 weeks were given in Table 1. The worms

kept in 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 PSR media showed a gradual increase in their

body weight until the termination of this study except 10 PSR, where a gradual

decline after third week was noticed. However the worms kept in the same

media (10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 PSR) showed an increased value in their body

weight over their respective initial weight and the respective body gain values

were 42, 255, 294,389, and 358%. On the contrary, all the worms kept is 0 PSR

(soil alone) medium showed a gradual decline in their body weight from II

week onwards and the per cent weight loss value after V week was 35 (Table

1).

The worms kept in soil alone for 35 days though showed 100% survival

value, only 26 cocoons were laid during the course of study due to less organic

matters present in the medium. Though the worms kept in other PSR media (10,

25, 50, 75, and 100) for 35 days produced relatively more cocoons than the

control, but the worms in 100 PSR media produced relatively more cocoons (0.3

cocoon /day/worm) than the worms kept in 10,25, 50, and 75 PSR media (0.079

to 0.259 cocoon /day /worm) (Table 1).

The values of incubation time and hatching success of cocoons collected

from the earthworm, Eisenia fetida exposed to 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 PSR

media of partly decomposed sheep dropping waste were given in Table 2.

Among the five sheep dropping waste media studied, the worms kept in 100

PSR produced a maximum of 630 cocoons and were hatched out into a

maximum of 597 youngones with the hatching rate of 0.9 hatchling / cocoon

and hatching success of 91.7% after a period of 29 to 32 days incubation time.

The hatchling obtained from (0.5 to 0.9 hatchling / cocoon) the above

studies (all PSR media ) did not follow the findings of Dash and Senapati

(1980) and Bakthavathsalam and Ramakrishnan (2004), where they observed

usually one or very rarely two juveniles from each cocoon on hatching. Further

the hatchling obtained from the present study were found to be very less (0.5-

0.9) when compared to other species such as Perionyx excavatus

with 1.1 and

Pheritima hawayana with 1.2 (Loehr et al., 1985), Eisenia fetida with 2.7

(Venter and Reinecke, 1988) and Eudrilus eugeniae with 2.63 hatchling /

cocoon (Ramalingam, 1997). However the present study follows the findings of

Bakthavathsalam and Geetha (2004a), where they found 0.9 to 1.0 and 0.7 to

1.0 hatchling /cocoon on hatching while using the earthworm, Lampito mauritii

exposed to decomposed paddy chaff and weed plants material respectively. But

a contradictory observation was noted in the current study with regard to cocoon

incubation period as observed by Dash and Sanapati (1980),Reinecke et

al.,(1992), Ramalingam (1997) and Bakthavathsalam and Geetha (2004a),

where they found 28-30 days, + 23 days, 27.33+ 0.42 days and 26-54 days

respectively for tropical earthworms, Eisenia fetida, and Lampito mauritii. In

spite of good health condition and 100% survival value observed in the adult

earthworms kept under different media, it is important to note here that the

production of cocoons from lower PSR to higher PSR showed an increasing

trend, but it was relatively very lesswhen compared to the studies made by

Ramalingam (1997) in the earthworm,

Lampito mauritii cultured under press mud medium where he found + 0.4

cocoon /worm/ day. The earthworm culture study made by Subramaniyan

(2008) using paddy straw waste showed relatively very low cocoon production

value (0.126 cocoon/ worm/day) over our present study with blackgram waste.

The current results proved beyond any doubt that the culture medium containing

blackgram waste was the best one as far as cocoon production and growth of

earthworm are concerned.

The reduction in the earthworm body weight observed in the current

reproductive study with 0 PSR medium may be due to low level of nitrogen and

carbon (presence of poor organic content) present in the above medium as

reported by jena et al., (2002) since the earthworms need nitrogen for their

cellular protein synthesis and is also essential for cocoon production.

ANALYSIS OF MACRO AND MICRONUTRIENT IN SHEEP

DROPPINGS WASTES

The levels of soil parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, macro

nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients (iorn,

manganese, zinc and copper) present in the samples of partly decomposed

(before vermicomposting), vermicompost (after vermicomposting by Eisenia

fetida for 35 days) of sheep dropping waste were given in Table 3. The pH

values measured in the samples of partly decomposed sheep droppings (before

vermicomposting practice) of sheep droppings waste showed no change but are

basic in nature with pH, 7.8. But the sample of vermicompost obtained

after 35 days of vermicomposting by

Eisenia fetida showed a lesser pH (7.6) than that of raw decomposed ofsheep

droppings . The levels of electrical conductivity (as a measure of soluble salts

level) measured in the samples of partly decomposed sheep droppings waste

showed relatively more value (1.5) than the samples of vermicompost which

indicate that the soluble salts level was reduced during vermicomposting as

revealed by its lower pH level in the vermicompost sample. The availability for

several plant nutrients and levels of other elements present in any soil depend

upon the pH value of the organic manure. The pH value at neutral level should be

considered important in retaining nitrogen since it is lost as volatile ammonia at

high pH (Haimi and Huhta, 1987) and the pH range 6-7 seems to promote the

availability of plant nutrients (Brady, 1988). In the present analysis though there

are changes in pH during vermicomposting but their pH level was somewhat high

(>7) according to Brady (1988). Hence it could be concluded that the observed

pH in the samples of partly decomposed, vermicompost of sheep dropping waste

is not an optimum level for the plants to get available free nutrients for their

better growth. However the culture study with radish plants and vermicompost

revealed better results over control plants due to the presence of higher amount

of nitrogen in the medium. The high pH value 7.8 observed in the decomposed

sheep droppings waste supported the views that the nitrogen level in the sample

is lost during the course of storing since the sample has high pH as suggested by

Haimi and Huhta (1987).

Of the three macronutrients(N, P, and K) and four micronutrients (Fe,

Mn, Zn, and Cu )analysed in the samples of partly decomposed, vermicompost

of sheep droppings waste, the levels of potassium in macronutrients and iron in

micronutrients were relatively very high when compared to other macro and

micronutrients. It is important to note here that the present study with partly

decomposed waste of sheep droppings, while vermicomposting, the

earthworm,Eisenia fetida slightly increased the level of N, P, Fe, Zn and Cu

drastically decreased the levels of K and Mn both in vermicompost over the

levels of observed in the partly decomposed sample.This results was not in

conformation with the reported results of increased level of K and Mg

(Edwards et al., 1985), K (Kale, 1988) K, Ca and Mg (Ramalingam, 1997), K,

Ca, Mg, and Mn (Uthayakumar, 2006) and P and Zn (Subramaniyan, 2008) due

to the effective action of earthworms through enhanced microbial activity on

waste material during vermicomposting.

From the chemical analysis of sheep droppings waste before and after

exposure to earthworm, it could be inferred without any doubt that the above

waste is fully processed by earthworms as it was revealed by drastic change in

its macro and micronutrients level. Macro and micronutrients present in the

sheep dropping waste may be utilized by the earthworms, Eisenia fetida while

ingesting partly decomposed greengram waste during vermicomposting and it

was revealed by improved weight gain of adult earthworms kept under sheep

dropping waste for cocoon production study.

EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST ON THE GROWTH OF RADISH

PLANT

Mean values of total leaves, leaves weight, tap root of weight, total plant

weight, tap root length and tap root perimeter of radish plant cultivated in the

pots using different per cent substrate ratios (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100) of

partly decomposed (not exposed to earthworm) and vermicompost of sheep

droppings waste obtained from the earthworm used culture medium of sheep

dropping waste were separately given in Table 4. The radish plants raised in soil

alone showed poor growth over other doses of partly decomposed and

vermicompost. The results presented in Table 4 revealed that plants raised on 0,

10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 PSR media showed relatively lesser values of total

leaves, leaves weight, tap root weight, tap root length and tap root perimeter

than the plants raised in vermicompost. Of the weight measurements of leaves

and roots studied, the values of root weight obtained were relatively very high

when compared to leaves weight. But the leaves weight in 0 PSR was relatively

higher than the roots weight of plants cultivated in partly decomposed and

vermicompost of sheep droppings waste.

One important observation noted in the growth study of radish plant using

vermicompost obtained from sheep dropping waste was more for the plants

raised in higher PSR (100) produced relatively higher weight of roots over other

PSR. The results given in Table 4 undoubtedly proved that the application of

vermicompost has a positive role on the total leaves, leaves weight, tap root

weight, plant weight, tap root length and tap root perimeter of radish plants.

This observation falls in line with many reports already made on these lines in

others plants with vermicomposts obtained from different sources. There have

been numerous experiments in which plants have been grown in pots with

earthworms or their casts or vermicompost, where an increase in plant growth

has occurred. Kale and Bano (1986) found that the vegetative growth of plants

was influenced by Eudrilus eugeniae worm cast in a better than chemical

fertilizers. Line (1994) reported that vermicomposted mixture of wood and sea

star waste showed an excellent growth tomatoes and lettuces. Kale (1994) has

recorded an excellent effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield of cereals,

pulses, oil seeds, spices, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, cash crops and

plantation crops. Arulmurugan (1996) has studied the effect of vermicompost

on the growth, yield, protein and oil content of soyabeans and recorded an

increase in plant height, root length, root volumes, number of seeds per plant,

protein and oil content of seeds together with increased uptake of NPK by

plants. Vadiraj et al., (1996) noticed pronounced influence of vermicompost on

the growth and yield of turmeric plant. Uthayakumar (2006) has also noticed an

excellent improvement in the production of black gram cultivated in

vermicompost obtained from vegetable market waste over the plants cultivated

in ordinary soil. Vermicompost plays a major role in improving growth and

yield of different field crops, vegetables, flowers and fruit crops. The

application of vermicompost gave higher germination (93%) of mung bean

(Vigna radiata) compared to the control (84%). Further, the growth and yield of

mung bean was also significantly higher with vermicompost application.

Likewise, in another pot experiment, the fresh and dry matter yields of cowpea

(Vigna unguiculata) were higher when soil was amended with vermicompost

than with biodigested slurry (Karmegam et al., 1999, Karmegam and Daniel

2000).

Very recently, Bakthavathsalam and Deivanayaki (2006) have also

noticed a significant influence of vermicompost with or without Rhizobium on

the growth and yield of black gram cultivated through pot culture studies. The

present improved results are not in conformation with the reported results of

Bakthavathsalam and Geetha (2004b) and Subramaniyan (2008) using the same

plant but cultivated with different organic wastes such as paddy chaff, weed

plant material and paddy straw wastes.

TABLE-1

Values showing the body weight (gm) and cocoon production by the

earthworm, Eisenia fetida fed with different per cent ratio (PSR) of partly

decomposed sheep droppings waste for 5 weeks.

Period PSR

0 10 25 50 75 100

Initial 0 0 0 0 0 0

25.9 25.5 26 25.9 25.6 25.2

I-week 0 0 6 5 6 10

26.5 32.3 37.7 41.3 62.6 50.7

II-week 3 6 12 19 25 30

22.5 39.8 45.4 53.2 93.2 72.5

III-week 6 31 89 112 124 147

20.1 46.4 61.2 70.2 113.2 102.7

IV-week 9 71 113 137 182 213

19.8 40.3 71.2 80.3 120.4 107.8

V-week 8 59 97 123 208 230

10.5 36.4 92.3 102.3 125.2 115.6

Total cocoon

produced

26

(0.012)

167

(0.079)

317

(0.150)

396

(0.188)

545

(0.259)

630

(0.3)

Per cent

weight change

over initial

-59

+42

+255

+294

+389

+358

Upper row values indicate the total number of cocoon produced by 60

earthworms ; Lower row values indicate the total weight of 60 earthworms.

Values in parenthesis indicate the production of cocoon/ worm/day.

TABLE-2

Values showing the incubation time and hatching success of cocoons

collected from the earthworm, Eisenia fetida fed with different PSR of partly

decomposed sheep droppings waste under laboratory condition.

PSR

Total cocoon

produced by

60 earthworm

Incubation

time (days)

Total

hatchlings

obtained

Hatchling/

cocoon

Hatching

success (%)

0

26

18-21

14

0.5

53.8

10

167

21-25

121

0.7

72.4

25

317

25-29

270

0.8

85.1

50

396

29-32

345

0.8

87.1

75

545

29-32

493

0.9

90.4

100

630

29-32

578

0.9

91.7

TABLE-3

Values showing the levels of pH, electrical conductivity (EC) (dsm-1),

macro and micronutrients obtained from the samples of partly decomposed,

vermicompost of sheep droppings wastes after using them by Eisenia fetida

under laboratory condition.

Parameters

Partly decomposed sheep

droppings waste

Vermicompost

Sample nature

PH 7.8 7.6

EC 1.5 1.1

Macronutrients (ppm)

N 142.8

P 59.8 63.1

K 662.5 383.0

Micronutrients (ppm)

Fe 28.1 29.2

Mn 14.2 12.5

Zn 1.5 1.9

Cu 1.8 2.4

TABLE-4

Values showing total leaves, leaves weight, tap root weight, total plants

weight, tap root length and tap root perimeter of radish plant cultivated in pots

using different per cent substrate ratios of partly decomposed and vermicompost

of sheep droppings waste after 42 days.

PSR

Total

leaves

Leaves

weight

(gm)

Tap root weight

(gm)

Total Plant

weight

(cm)

Tap root

length (cm)

Tap root

perimeter

(cm)

*0 5 + 2.2 12 + 3.4 35 + 5.9 47 + 6.8 6.8 + 2.6 1.4 + 1.2

7 + 2.6 15 + 3.9 40 + 4.3 55 + 7.5 10.3 + 3.2 2.0 + 1.4

10 8 + 2.7 28 + 5.3 43 + 3.1 57 + 3.6 8.2 + 2.7 2.1 + 1.4

9 + 2.8 29 + 0.6 46 + 9.7 60 + 3.9 11.2 + 1.9 5.6 + 1.8

25 8 + 2.9 28 + 5.3 56 + 7.5 84 + 9.2 7.2 + 2.7 2.1 + 1.4

13 + 3.6 37 + 6.0 58 + 7.6 95 + 9.8 11.2 + 3.3 2.6 + 1.6

50 12 + 3.5 37 + 6.1 60 + 7.7 97 + 9.8 11.0 + 3.3 2.2 + 1.4

15 + 3.9 45 + 6.7 70 + 8.3 135 + 11.6 15.6 + 3.9 3.3 + 1.8

75 14 + 3.7 44 + 6.6 60 + 7.7 104 + 10.2 11.2 + 3.3 2.4 + 1.5

17 + 4.1 50 + 7.1 90 + 9.4 156 + 12.5 17.4 + 4.2 3.4 + 1.8

100 15 + 3.8 55 + 7.4 63 + 7.9 118 + 10.9 16.7 + 4.1 3.3 + 1.8

18 + 4.2 62 + 7.8 123 + 11.0 123 + 11.1 18.2 + 4.3 4.8 + 2.2

Values are mean + S.D of one plants ; Upper and lower row values in

0,10, 25,50,75,and 100 PSR indicate the plants cultivated in partly decomposed

and vermicompost of sheep droppings waste respectively.

*Upper and lower values indicate earthworm unexposed soil and

earthworm exposed soil respectively.

5. SUMMARY

1) The rate of cocoon production and weight gain / loss of the

epigenic earthworm, Eisenia fetida kept

in the substrate medium containing 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 per

cent substrate ratios (PSR) prepared from partly decomposed sheep

dropping waste with soil for 35 days were determined.

2) The worms kept in 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 PSR media for 35 days

showed a gradual increase in their body weight until termination

of this study except 10 PSR, where a gradual decline after third

week was noticed.

3) However, the worms kept in the same media ( 10, 25, 50, 75, and

100 PSR) for 35 days showed an increased value in their body

weight over their respective initial weight and the respective body

gain values were 42, 255, 294,389, and 358%.

4) On the contrary, all the worms kept is 0 PSR medium showed a

gradual decline in their body weight from II week onwards and

their per cent weight loss value after V week was 35.

5) The worms kept is soil alone for 35 days though showed 100%

survival value, only 26 cocoons were laid during the course of

study due to less organic matters present in the medium.

6) The worms kept in other PSR media (10, 25, 50, 75, and 100) for

35 days produced relatively more cocoons than the control, but the

worms in 100 PSR medium produced relatively more cocoon (0.3

cocoon /day /worm) than the worms kept in other 10, 25, 50 and

75 PSR media (0.079 to 0.259 cocoon / day / worm).

7) Among the five sheep droppings waste media 10, 25, 50, 75, and

100 PSR studied, the worms kept in 100 PSR medium produced a

630 cocoons and were hatched out into a 578 young ones with the

hatching rate of 0.9 hatchling / cocoon and hatching success of

91.7% after a period of 29 to 32 days of incubation time.

8) The results proved beyond any doubt that the culture medium

containing sheep droppings waste was the best one as for as cocoon

production and growth of earthworm are concerned.

9) The levels of soil parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity,

macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients ( Fe, Mn, Zn and

Cu) present in the samples of partly decomposed compost,

vermicompost of sheep dropping waste.

10) The pH values measured in the samples of partly decomposed

compost sheep droppings showed no change but are basic in

nature with pH 7.8.

11) But the sample of vermicompost obtained after 35 days of

composting by Eisenia fetida showed lesser pH (7.6) than that raw

decomposed compost.

12) The levels of electrical conductivity measured in the samples of

partly decomposed waste showed sheep droppings relatively more

value 1.5 that the samples of vermicompost which indicate that the

soluble salt level was reduced during vermicomposting as revealed

by its lower pH level in the vermicompost sample.

13) Hence it could be concluded that the observed pH in the samples of

partly decomposed, vermicompost of sheep droppings waste is not

an optimum level for the plants to get available free nutrients for

their better growth.

14) However the culture study with radish plants and vermicompost

revealed a better results over control plants due to the presents of

higher amount of nitrogen.

15) Of the three macronutrients (N, P and K) and four micronutrients

(Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) analyzed in the samples of partly

decomposed compost, vermicompost of sheep droppings waste, the

level of potassium in macronutrients and iron in micronutrients

were relatively very high when compared to other macro and

micronutrients.

16) It is important to note here that the present study with partly

decomposed waste of sheep dropping while vermicomposting, the

earthworm, Eisenia fetida slightly increased the levels of N, P, Fe,

Zn and Cu and drastically decreased the levels of K and Mn both in

vermicompost over the levels of prevailed in the partly

decomposed sample.

17) From the chemical analysis of sheep droppings waste before and

after exposure to earthworm, it could be inferred without any doubt

that the above waste is fully processed by earthworms as it was

revealed by drastic change in its macro and micronutrients level.

18) Macro and micronutrients present in the sheep dropping waste may

be utilized by the earthworm, Eisenia fetida while ingesting partly

decomposed sheep droppings waste during vermicomposting and it

was revealed by improved weight gain of adult earthworm kept and

sheep droppings waste for cocoon production study.

19) The total leaves, leaves weight, tap root weight, total plant

weight,

tap root length, tap root perimeter of radish plants cultivated in

pots using different per cent substrate ratio (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and

100) of partly decomposed and vermicompost of sheep droppings

waste obtained from the earthworm used culture medium of sheep

droppings waste.

20) The results presented in Table 4 revealed that plants raised on 0,

10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 PSR media showed relatively lesser values

of total leaves, leaves weight, tap root weight, tap root length and

tap root perimeter than the plants raised in vermicompost.

21) Of the weight measurements of leaves and roots studies, the values

of root weight, obtained were relatively very high when compared

to leaves weight.

22) One important observation noted in the growth study of radish

plant using vermicompost obtained from sheep droppings waste

was more for the plant raised in higher PSR (100) produced

relatively higher weights of roots over other PSR.

23) The present result given in undoubtedly proved that the application

of vermicompost has a positive role on the total leaves, leaves

weight, tap root weight, plant weight, tap root length and tap root

perimeter of radish plant.

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PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING RADISH PLANTS CULTIVATED IN 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, AND 100% OFSHEEP DROPPINGS WASTE AFTER 20 DAYS FIG (1) AND 42 DAYS FIG (2) OF SHOWING. FIG 1.

FIG2.