INTRODUCTION:

VERMICULTURE:

Vermiculture appears to be an innovative sustainable technology for waste treatment which holds a promising future in the field of organic waste management. The scientific community all over the world is desperately looking for an economically viable, socially safe and environmentally sustainable alternative to the agrochemicals. Several farms in world especially in North America, Australia and Europe are going organic as the demand for “organic foods” are growing in society.

Vermiculture is a process by which all types of biodegradable wastes such as farm wastes, kitchen wastes, market wastes, bio-wastes of agro based industries, livestock wastes etc. are converted while passing through the worm-gut to nutrient rich vermicompost. Vermi worms are used here act as biological agents to consume those wastes and to deposit excreta in the process called vermicompost. About 3000 species of earthworms are found world-wide. Out of which, approximately 384 species are reported to be found in India and their detail taxonomic studies have been done already. (Julka, 1983).

EARTHWORMS:

There are about 3000 varieties of earthworm. They have been formally classified into 3 types based on their lifestyles and burrowing habits.

1.ANECIQUES:

These are deep burrowing species which have dark pigmentation (dark brown) on the anterior and dorsal parts.

Eg; Lumbricus terrestris

2. ENDOGES;

These live in the upper 30-50 mm soil layer, are lightly pigmented. They construct horizontal branching burrows.

Eg; Lampito mauritti

3.EPIGES;

These are essentially surface litter dwellers having uniform coloration and small in body size (10-30)

Eg; Eudrillus eugenia, Eisenia fetida

BIOLOGY OF EARTHWORM:

Worms are found throughout the world. They are small (10-300mm long) tube shaped organisms that live in or on top of the soil. Worms start their life as a cocoon deposited in the soil by parents. Worms can live from a few months to 10 years, but they usually do not reach the latter age because of environmental hazards they are exposed to. Some species of worms have the capacity to regenerate parts that are detached, although tests show this is an uncommon trait (Edwards and Lofty 1997). All earthworms have both male and female reproductive organs. Worms have a relatively simple digestive system that runs along the length of their body. Organic matter is ingested at the front of the worm where the mouth is located. The organic matter is then passed through a gizzard there strong muscles contact and grind up the organic matter. Enzymes are then released by the stomach to break down organic matter and release energy that the worm can use. Worms have a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms in their digestive system. The microorganisms help the worm digest organic matter while the worm gives the microorganisms a place to live. In turn, both the microorganisms and the worm benefit from the relationship. Waste is excreted by the worm at the back where the anus is located. The waste excreted by worms is called worm casts (vermicasts). Vermicasts contain more micro-organisms, inorganic materials, and organic matter in the form available to plants than regular soil (Edwards and Lofty 1997).

BIOLOGY OF EISENIA FETIDA:

Eisenia fetida, the worm most commonly used in vermiculture, have characteristics of common worms. They are epigian, meaning they spend most of their time above the soil. E.fetida is most commonly chosen as the worm used in vermicompost systems because of its ability to process organic matter rapidly. One study showed that the presence of E. fetida in manure increased overall microbial biomass and activity. Their presence also increased the overall fungal biomass and activity. Their presence also increased diversity of both microbes and fungai. In this study, the rate of carbon loss was almost twice that where the worms were not present. (Aira, et al., 2007) This shows that with E.fetida, decomposition happens almost twice as fast. Because of this property of fast decomposition rate, E. fetida usually chosen as the worm for vermiculture because it reduces the time needed to make compost. E.fetida is also chosen for vermiculture because of its ability to break down cellulose. Cellulose is the most abundant polymer in nature and it is the largest component that enters terrestrial ecosystems. A study showed that the presence of E. fetida almost doubled the rate of cellulose decomposition. (Aira, et al., 2006).

NELUMBO NUCIFERA (LOTUS):

Lotus has been used as a food for about 7,000 years in Asia, and it is cultivated for its edible rhizomes/stems, Seeds and Leaves. Various lotus plant parts like Buds, Flowers, Anthers, Stamens, Fruits, Leaves, Stalks, Rhizomes and Roots have been used as herbal medicines for treatment of many diseases including cancer, depression, diarrhea, heart problems, hypertension and insominia. (Shen Miller, et al., 2002 and Duke, et al., 2002) Lotus produces number of important secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, glycosides and polyphenols. (Mukherjee, et al., 2009) The genus nelumbo represented by only two species, Nelumbo nucifera, Nelumbo lutea. Nelumbo nucifera is widely distributed in South - East Asia. In India occurs from Kashmir in north, Kanyakumari in south, showing huge phenotypic diversity with different shapes, sizes and shades of pink and white flowers 16-160 petals (Sharma and Goel 2000) and is the national flower of the country. In India the lotus stem is eaten in many areas. Lotus stem called Nadru in Kashmir is deeply related to the culture and economy.

Suitable organic matter that can be added are

· coffee grounds with filter and tea bags

· All fruits and vegetables, including rinds and cores

· Egg shells

· Leaves and grass clippings

· Beans, rice and other cooked grains

· Bread and crackers

Item that should be avoided are

· Meat

· Bones

· Foods high in oils and fats, such as grease from meats

Problems	Cause (31)	Solution
Foul odor	Too much air	Make smaller holes
	Too much organic matter	Add less organic matter per feeding
	Too wet	Make more drainage holes
	Too dry	Mist compost to add water
	No food	Add food
	No feeding for worms	Harvest compost and add bedding
	Extreme temperatures	Moderate temperatures
Feed flies	Air holes too big	Make smaller air holes or bury organic matter under bedding

CONCLUSION:

This technique also helps to conserve the bio diversity, which is the need of the hour. Apart from providing self employment opportunities for the weaker section, it also provides profitable agricultural waste utilization. It will also help in maintaining the environmental/ ecological balance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

COLLECTION OF EARTHWORM:

Speciments of adult earthworm, Eesinia fetida were collected in the Periyar Maniyammai College, Vallam. They were kept in earthen pots with substrate medium containing 50% partly decomposed cow dung 50% soil and were maintained under the laboratory condition for five days. Care was taken to see that the worms collected from the laboratory condition for five days. Care was taken to see that the worms collected from the site, did not experience any pesticide treatment, and adult worms with the size 7 to 15 cm in length and 0.18 to 0.95 gm in weight were use for the present study.

COLLECTION OF SOIL:

Dry soil was taken from the Nagalur village for present study. It was manually powdered using stone and mortar.

COLLECTION OF NELUMBO NUCIFERA:

The waste material of Nelumbo nucifera leaves was collected from, Nagalur Village, Thiruvarur, District.

PARTIAL DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC WASTE:

An earthen pot with size of 54cm in diameter and 35cm in height was taken and used for the decomposition of N.nucifera leaves which was free from earthworm invasion. The tanks were filled with N.nucifera leaves waste and poured with sufficient water. The tanks were closed with polythene sheets in order 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 tanks were closed again with the same polythene sheets for proper decomposition. Once in three days the decomposing materials were thoroughly mixed using wooden rod so as to ensure uniform decomposition. Ideal semi decomposed N.nucifera leaves in the form of wet leaf can be obtained only often 30 days decomposition. About 120kg of dry semi composed N. nucifera leaves can be obtained during one process. These materials were then manually powdered with particle size less then 1mm as suggested by (Rinecke and Venter, 1985) and stored in a polythene bag.

PREPARATION OF SUBSTRATES FOR COCOON PRODUCTION STUDY:

Six sets of Five media with percent substrate ratios (PSR), 100,75,50,25, and 0% were prepared using dry soil and powdered N. nucifera leaves with volume by volume basis and mixed well. 4kgs of substrate in each percent ratio was taken in an earthen pot and sufficient volume of water was added into it to ensure optimum moisture condition as suggested. To assess the rate of cocoon production in the above said media, 12 adult earthworms were introduced into each pot. Six set of control (soil alone) as substrate experiments with 12 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 earthworm cocoons produced by earthworms were collected and recorded once in a week for about a period of one month .(12.09.2016 to 15.09.2016) survival of earthworms was also observed in the above said media during the course of study. Rate of cocoon production was calculated at daily as well as monthly basic.

CALCULATION:

The rate of cocoon production by earthworm was calculated and comparisons were made between control and experimental data.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

COCOON PRODUCTION STUDY:

The rate of cocoon production and weight gain / loss of the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida kept in the 0,25,50,75 and 100 PSR (Present Substrate Ratio) media prepared from partly decomposed Nelumbo nucifera leaves waste with soil for 30 days were given in Table 1 and 2 respectively. The worms kept in 50, 75 and 100 PSR media for 30 days showed a gradual increase in their body weight up to 22 days thereafter, gradual decline until the termination of this study. However, the worms kept in the same media (50, 75 and 100 PSR) after 30 days showed an increased value in their body weight over their respective initial weight. On the contrary, all the worms kept in 0 and 25 PSR media showed a gradual decreases in their body weight until the termination of this study and their respective percent weight loss values were all the worms kept in 0 and 25 PSR media showed a gradual decrease in their body weight loss values were 37.6 and 56.6 (Table 2). The worms kept in soil alone for 30 day though showed 100% survival value, only 4 cocoons were during the course of study due to less organic matters in the medium.

Though the worms kept in their PSR media for 30 days produced relatively more cocoons than the control, the worms in 100 PSR medium produced relatively more cocoons (9.8 cocoon/day/worm or 0.136 cocoon/month/worm) than the worms kept in other PSR media (Table1).

Table -1 Rate of the cocoon production of epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida kept in different Percent Substrate Ratio (PSR) media of partly decomposed Nelumbo nucifera leaves and vermicompost of the same for one month.

PSR	Total cocoons Collected in 6 pots	Total cocoons/ Pots	Cocoon / day	Cocoon / Day / Worm
0	26	4.3	0.8	0.012
25	227	37.8	7.5	0.105
50	244	40.6	8.1	0.113
75	280	46.6	9.3	0.129
100	294	49.0	9.8	0.136

TABLE -2 Values showing the changes of earthworm weight (gm) during cocoon production of Eisenia fetida kept in different percent substrate (PSR) media of partly decomposed Nelumbo nucifera leaves waste and vermicompost of the same for one month.

PSR	0 Day	8^th Day	15^th Day	22^nd Day	30^th Day
0	48.4	52.1	45.9	37.6	27.8
25	45.4	61.1	46.6	56.6	53.4
50	49.6	64.5	71.4	79.5	65.8
75	44.3	74.2	81.9	88.9	81.3
100	48.7	78.7	86.4	93.5	87.3

The rate of the cocoon production observed in the present study irrespective of PSR media used was not in consistence with the results observed by (Ramalingam, 1997) Sathya and Deivanayaki a and b (2015), Deivanayaki and Nanthini (2016) and Bakthavathsalam and Ramakrishnan (2004) in the same species respectively cultured exclusively under press mud medium and 50 PSR cow dung medium, where they found higher values of cocoon production with 9.3 and 9.8 cocoon/worm/ day respectively. (Kale et al.,1981) have also observed greater production of cocoons by Perionyx excavates using different organic wastes such as cow dung, sheep dung, horse dung, poultry manure and sludge from bio gas plant. The maximum rate of Cocoons/ worm/ week in the feed Tendu leaf. (Kadam, 2015). Evans and Guild (1948) noted the production of 42-106 cocoons in one year by surface dwelling. Cocoon production of Eisenia fetida is usually high as in other species of Dravida willsii and Octochaetona surensis due to their surface dwelling nature and their activity confined to 20 cm depth during winter and 30 cm during summer” season (Dash and Senapati, 1980.) Evans and Guild (1948) noted the production of 42-106 cocoons in one year by surface dwelling. Under the laboratory conditions. Evans and Guild (1947) found that Lumbricus terrestris produced cocoon at the rate of 3.7 cocoon/worm/month and suggested that L.terrestris and endemic earthworm species could be induced to produce cocoons throughout the year. The present study demonstrated that Eisenia fetida can also reproduce throughout the year as suggested (Meinharlt, 1974 and Butt et al., 1992).

The earthworm culture study made by (Subramaniyan,2009) using paddy straw waste showed relatively very low cocoon production value 0.129 cocoon/ worm /day) over our present study with the Nelumbo nucifera leaves waste. The current results proved beyond any doubt that the culture medium containing Nelumbo nucifera leaves was the best one as far as cocoon production and growth of earthworm are concerned.

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Received on 18.01.2017 Modified on 22.02.2017

Research J. Science and Tech. 2017; 9(2): 239-243.

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2988.2017.00043.2