In this study, wastes such as Pongamia leaf (L) and cow
dung (C) were utilized for composting and its effects on different
growth parameters of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae were studied.
Wastes were dried, powdered and amended with soil in 3:1
ratio for culture media. The culture media were maintained with
moisture by sprinkling water in proper intervals. The two sets of
culture media maintained with four replicates within controlled
environment. The media were kept about two weeks and
introduced weighted new baby worms. Growth performances of
Eudrilus eugeniae in two media were studied in the form of total
growth, weight gain and growth rate.
The total weight of earthworms in all media was calculated
in every week for 10 weeks experiment duration.
The growth rate is the growth of a single worm in a day
(mg/worm/day). The weight gains and growth rate for specific
periods were calculated by the method of Parthasarathi, 2007.