the presence of earthworms only correlated with a significant decrease in
E. coli numbers on days 25 and 36, which appears consistent with
the reintroduction of microbes in the earthworm treatments, compared
to the treatment without earthworms (p < 0.05). E. coli
counts decreased below the legal criteria of 103 CFU/g substrate
(dry weight) in 18, 31, 37 or 51 days in the treatment 4-RV/WW,
3-RV/NW, 2-PV/WW and 1-PV/NW, respectively (Table 1).