The overall dynamics of pattern of leaf litter processing,
manure production and nutrient contents of pill-millipede
manures in the present study corroborates with the earlier
greenhouse and laboratory trials [5–7, 14, 28]. Organic
matter in the manures of pill-millipedes fed with Acacia,
banana, cashew and coconut leaf litter separately by
amendment of soil was higher compared to those fed only
soil (70.1–75.8 vs 9.3 %) [6]. Thus, mixed leaf litter feeding by millipedes enriches the soil with high quantity
of organic matter and thereby increases the microbial
activity. Kadamannaya and Sridhar [14] also demonstrated
the increase of nitrogen and phosphorus contents and
decrease of total phenolics and C/N ratio in pill-millipede
manure on feeding plantation residues under laboratory
conditions. Increase in the nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, while decrease in the C/N ratio in manures of
pill-millipedes fed with mixed leaf litter diet was demonstrated
by Ashwini and Sridhar [7]. However, in the present
study, even though nitrogen and phosphorus contents
increased in manures, the potassium content decreased
possibly due to fastidious absorption by millipedes. This
finding corroborates with the observation by McBrayer
[22] that significant high assimilation of potassium by
millipedes was during coprophagy. The present study
demonstrated that it is possible to harvest the manure from
pill-millipedes by offering mixed leaf litter within a short
period with appreciable quantity of nitrogen (4 weeks) and
phosphorus (2 or 3 weeks). In one of the replicates during
the third week of composting, eggs of earthworms (likely
present in the decomposing leaf litter offered) hatched out
and a few active juveniles were seen indicating the possibilities
of employing combination of millipedes and
earthworms for manure production.
The overall dynamics of pattern of leaf litter processing,
manure production and nutrient contents of pill-millipede
manures in the present study corroborates with the earlier
greenhouse and laboratory trials [5–7, 14, 28]. Organic
matter in the manures of pill-millipedes fed with Acacia,
banana, cashew and coconut leaf litter separately by
amendment of soil was higher compared to those fed only
soil (70.1–75.8 vs 9.3 %) [6]. Thus, mixed leaf litter feeding by millipedes enriches the soil with high quantity
of organic matter and thereby increases the microbial
activity. Kadamannaya and Sridhar [14] also demonstrated
the increase of nitrogen and phosphorus contents and
decrease of total phenolics and C/N ratio in pill-millipede
manure on feeding plantation residues under laboratory
conditions. Increase in the nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, while decrease in the C/N ratio in manures of
pill-millipedes fed with mixed leaf litter diet was demonstrated
by Ashwini and Sridhar [7]. However, in the present
study, even though nitrogen and phosphorus contents
increased in manures, the potassium content decreased
possibly due to fastidious absorption by millipedes. This
finding corroborates with the observation by McBrayer
[22] that significant high assimilation of potassium by
millipedes was during coprophagy. The present study
demonstrated that it is possible to harvest the manure from
pill-millipedes by offering mixed leaf litter within a short
period with appreciable quantity of nitrogen (4 weeks) and
phosphorus (2 or 3 weeks). In one of the replicates during
the third week of composting, eggs of earthworms (likely
present in the decomposing leaf litter offered) hatched out
and a few active juveniles were seen indicating the possibilities
of employing combination of millipedes and
earthworms for manure production.
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