Effect sago bagasse blended with biogas plant slurry on growth and reproduction of Perionyx ceylanensis Mich. and Lampito mauritii (Kinberg) for large scale vermicompost production

The primary objective of this study was to assess the growth and reproduction potential of Perionyx ceylanensis Mich. and Lampito mauritii (Kinberg) on sago bagasse (SB) blended with biogas plant slurry (BPS) in different vermicomposting treatments. The growth and fecundity of both worms was monitored for 12 weeks. Maximum growth was recorded in VT6, VT5 and VT4 for P. eylanensis and VT12, VT11 and VT10 for L. mauritii, respectively. Earthworms biomass gain and reproduction was favorably up to 60% SB+ 40% BPS feed composition in the treatments. However, increasing proportions of SB in different vermicomposting treatments affected the growth and reproduction of P. eylanensis and L. mauritii. The 100% worm mortality was recorded in SB alone vermicomposting treatment (VT6 and VT12) for both worms. The results also demonstrated the both worms growth and reproduction are not significantly affected if SB content is up to 60% in the vermicomposting treatments. These observations indicate P. eylanensis may be a more efficient breeder than L. mauritii. Hence, it was concluded that the growth and reproduction of these species was associated strongly with the quality of the substrate, especially with their chemical as well as biological composition.

Author(s): Mahesh Kumar P. and Manivannan S.*

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