Food Source and Inoculation Density in the Rearing of Earthworms (Eisenia Foetida) in Cuzco, Peru

Abstract

The effect of food source and inoculation density on the rearing of the red California earthworm (Eisenia foetida) in Cuzco, Peru, was evaluated. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used, with AxB factorial arrangement, with twelve treatments and two replications, making a total of 24 experimental units (EU). Factor A was the food source, with four levels (a1=bovine compost, a2=sheep compost, a3=guinea pig compost and a4=alpaca compost) and factor B was the inoculation density, with three levels (b1=200 worms/EU, b2=400 worms/EU and b3=600 worms/EU) of clitellated (sexually mature) worms. The EU were wooden beds of 0.4 m length, 0.4 m width and 0.2 m height, with a capacity of 32 L. First, 25 kg of compost from each food source was incorporated into each wood bed, and then inoculated with the worms at the density corresponding to each treatment and EU, respectively. After 90 days, the biological dynamics and yield were evaluated. It was determined that the alpaca and sheep compost showed a greater capacity for biological development (number of coconuts, juvenile and adult worms) and productive capacity (worm weight and humus conversion). In inoculation density, level b3 (600 worms/UE) was outstanding in the biological dynamics of the earthworm; however, in humus production, although there were significant differences (p>0.01<0.05) between the levels, this was not greater than 3%.