Biomass and Vermicompost Production by the Earthworm Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kinberg)

Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) was cultured in plastic pots containing ground Paspalurn d&aturn
(L) grass (Dollis grass). This medium was toxic to the worms, if not fermented. Fermented and aerated grass
were palatable. The worms fed and grew on the fermented-aerated grass and voided black colloidal casts
(vermicompost), similar to the casts normally voided on cassava peel diet. Transit of grass through the gut
was rapid and varied with age: 4.5, 5 and 6 hours for hatchlings, juveniles and adults, respectively. The rate of
cast and biomass production (worm/day) was high and varied with developmental stage. Biomass and casting
production was higher with both juveniles and hatchlings. Fermented-aerated and non-fermented grass were
toxic to the cocoons. Cocoon coagulation took place within 3 days of exposure with moist ground grass,
fermented-aerated or unfermented, while Dallis (worm castings) compost allowed normal development and
hatching of the cocoons.