Archives of Agriculture Sciences Journal

Volume 5, Issue 3, 2022, Pages 288–304

Available online at www.agricuta.edu.eg

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/aasj.2023.179910.1136

Impact of earthworm species and growth habitats on the

quality of vermicompost
El-Sayed A. R.a*, Mahmoud N. A.a, Abdel-Mageed M. A.a, Abd El-Rahim M. G. M.b

aDepartment of Agriculture Zoology and Nematology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
bDepartment of Soils and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

Environmental degradation is a major threat confronting the world, the vermicompost product one of the best
organic manure to be used for enhancing soil, crop and environment. This study aimed to the evaluated effect of
earthworm species on the availability of macronutrients in the vermicompost. In this direction, the possibilities of
using different growth habitats with 4 different earthworm species in an experiment to produce an organic fertilizer
(vermicompost) were studied. In conjunction with those from previous studies Ninety days vermicomposting
experiment was conducted in polyethylene boxes contained a pre-composted (mixture of cow manure, market
wastes, kitchen wastes, sawdust and bagasse). Each type of the followed vermicomposting habitats; 100% pre -
composted (PC), 75% PC+ 25% cardboard waste (CB) and 75% PC+25% soil (S) were inoculated with one species
of earthworms; Allolobophora longa, Eudrilus eugeniae, Eiseia fetida and Perionyx excavatus. The present study
concluded that, A. longa could not survive in PC habitat, while other earthworms produced a high quality
vermicompost under the same condition. On the other hand, the PC+S habitat was the best for A. longa, which was
suitable for growing of the species. The PC+CB and PC+S vermicompost’s of E. fetida and PC+S of A. longa had a
lowest pH, EC and C/N ratio. The total NPK content and their available forms were enhanced in the vermicompost’s
of PC+CB and PC+S for all tested worms as compared with PC and untreated with earthworms (control)
respectively. In conclusion, he total NPK content and their available forms were enhanced in the vermicompost’s of
PC+CB and PC+C for all tested worms in compared with PC vermicompost and control treatment, but E. fetida was
the best.

Keywords: vermicomposting, earthworms, available nutrients, quality parameters, environment, organic manure.

Copyright © 2022
*Corresponding author: El-Sayed A. R.,
E-mail address: amroramadan.2249@azhar.edu.eg
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1. Introduction on degrade organic matter and specie of

earthworm. Earthworms can be divided
Chemical fertilizers have played a into three main types: anecolote,
significant role in agriculture around the earthworm makes permanent vertical
world. However, condensing and burrows in soil and feed on leaves on the
continuous use of easily soluble chemical soil surface that they drag into their
fertilizers disturbs soil health, leading to burrows. They also cast on the surface,
acidification, micronutrient depletion, and these casts can quite often be seen in
soil degradation; reduce in the activity of grasslands, Endogeic: earthworm makes
soil micro flora and micro- fauna, poor horizontal burrows through the soil to
crop health and lower crop quality. In move around and to feed, reuse the
view of this, it is desirable that we may burrows again to a certain extent and has
have to return to less resource demanding often pale colors, grey and pale pink,
agricultural practices viewing the gaps in Epigeic: earthworm lives and feed on leaf
domestic production as also nutrient litter of soil surface and tend not to make
depletion estimates. In this direction, burrows, also often bright red or reddish-
vermicomposting offers immense scope brown (Munroe, 2007). Different organic
to small and marginal farmers in creating wastes can be used in vermicompost
their own organic manurial resources and production by different species of
ways to generate alternative income. earthworms (Abul-Soud et al., 2009).
They can recycle organic wastes using Yan et al. (2012), found that feed
earthworms to make vermicompost. Eudrilus eugeniae with different plant
Earthworms are classified as the major residues grass clippings, sago waste and
decomposers of dead and decomposing rice straw. Assessed major nutrient status
organic waste and derive their nutrition of vermicompost of vegetable market
from the bacteria and fungi that grow waste (MW) and floral waste (FW)
upon these materials. Therefore, they are processed by three species of earthworms
essential not only for soil fertility but namely, Eudrilus eugeniae, Eiseia fetida
also for recycling organic wastes and Perionyx excavatus (Pattnaik and
(Edwards and Lofty, 1977). Earthworms Reddy, 2010). The organic matter when
are found in a wide variety of habitats; subjected to decomposition with the help
organic matter such as manure, litter and of earthworms the resultant product is
compost are very attractive to ‘vermicompost’ and the process is known
earthworms, and they are found in highly as vermicomposting. The product is the
hydrophilic environments near result of organic waste consumed by
freshwater and fallow water. The species earthworm, digested and passed through
of earthworms contribute to the gut and excreted in the form of granules
breakdown of plant-derived organic (Gupta, 2003; Palaniappan and
matter, but by different ways depending Annadurai, 2003; Sharma, 2004; Singh
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and Singh, 2008). The use of earthworms magnesium in worm’s gut (Sharma et al.,
for composting organic matter and the 2017). The aims of the study were
latest biotechnology which helps in Investigate effect of different
giving bio-fertilizers for agricultural uses vermicomposting habitats on the general
and a high quality for protein (earthworm characteristics of the final vermicompost
biomass) for supplementing the product and showed the effect of
nutritional energy needs of animals earthworm species on the availability of
(Blouin et al., 2019). It is a better macronutrients in the final product.
technology for recycling of solid wastes
than that of sole composting (Pattnaik
and Reddy, 2010). Vermicompost is a 2. Materials and methods
nutritive “organic fertilizer” rich in
humus, macronutrients (nitrogen, 2.1 Study location
phosphorus and potassium), A vermicomposting trail was conducted
micronutrients, minerals, nutrients, during autumn season of October 2021
vitamins, proteins, and enzymes, for three months at the laboratory of
beneficial soil microflora, actinomycetes Agricultural Zoology and Nematology
and plant growth regulators, which is department (27o12'23"E and 31o09'
used as an alternative to agrochemicals 51"N), Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar
(Adhikary, 2012; Sharma et al., 2017; University, Assiut governorate, Egypt.
Singh et al., 2013). The benefits of The temperature during the experiment
vermicompost include improving soil was ranged between 11 to 29oC with an
fertility and soil health, water holding average temperature of 20oC.
capacity, soil productivity, soil
biodiversity, and crop growth and yield, 2.2 Earthworms species
enhancing soil physical, chemical, and
biological properties (Joseph, 2019; Different Four species of earthworm
Zuhair, 2011). In addition, involved Eisenia fetida, Allolopophora
vermicompost is frequently considered a longa, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Perionyx
supplement to fertilizers and it releases excavatus were used in the experiment.
the nutrients slowly with a significant The species E. eugeniae, P. excavatus
reduction in C/N ratio, concurrent with and E. fetida were brought from the
the requirement of plants (Sharma and Central Laboratory for Agricultural and
Garg, 2019). During vermicomposting climate, Cairo, Egypt. The fourth specie
process, the nutrients locked up in the A. longa was collected from the
organic waste are changed to simple and Experimental Farm of the Agriculture
more easily available and absorbable Faculty, Al-Azhar University, Assiut,
forms such as nitrogen, phosphorus, Egypt. General morphological
soluble potassium, calcium and characteristics obtained from average
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data of 10 adult earthworms belong the same species (Table 1).

Table (1): General morphological characteristics of the studied earthworm species.

Earthworm specie Long (cm) Weight (g) Diameter A yellowish striped end
A. longa 10 1.50 Thick No
E. eugeniae 9 1.24 Thick No
P. excavatus 7.5 0.70 Thin No
E. fetida 6 0.68 Thick Yes

2.3 Vermicomposting composted mixture; E. eugeniae + pre-

composted mixture + paper (with ratio of
Fifty kg of cow manure (fresh weight) + 3:1 w/w); E. eugena + pre-composted
50 kg of market waste and kitchen waste mixture + soil (with ratio of 3:1w/w); P.
+ 10 kg of sawdust + 10 kg of bagasse excavatus + only pre-composted mixture;
were composted in covered pile system P. excavatus + pre-composted mixture +
for 30 days before vermicomposting paper (with ratio of 3:1 w/w); P.
setup. Cardboard waste (CB) was excavatus + pre-composted mixture +
collected then crushed into small size (2- soil (with ratio of 3:1 w/w); E. fetida +
4cm). Also, Loamy sand textured soil only pre-composted mixture; E. fetida +
(S) was sieved through a 2 mm sieve. pre-composted mixture + paper (with
The experiments were carried out in ratio of 3:1 w/w); E. fetida + pre-
plastic boxes with a size of 50×30×30 cm composted mixture + soil (with ratio of
in which it was purchased from 3:1 w/w). The control treatment was
vegetables market. The boxes were conducted for the three vermicomposting
cleaned and carefully wrapped from the substrates without earthworms. The first
inside to protect the growing habitat from group was filed with only 2 kg of pre-
the bad conditions and draining excess composted mixture (PC). The second
water. Three types of vermicomposting group was filed with 1.5kg of pre-
habitat, PC, PC+CB and PC+S were composted mixture + 0.5 kg of soil (3:1
inoculated with four different species of w/w) (PC+S). And the third group
earthworms, A. longa, E. fetida, E. consisted of 1.5kg of pre-composted
eugeniae and P. excavatus. The mixture + 0.5kg of cardboard waste (3:1
experiment was arranged in completely w/w) (PC+CB). Each group of
randomized design with three replicates vermicomposting habitat divided into
for each treatment as fellows: A. longa + five subgroups (5 treatments × 3
only pre-composted mixture; A. longa + replicates). Four of them were treated
pre-composted mixture + Cardboard with one Specie of E. eugeniae, P.
(with ratio of 3:1 w/w); A. longa + pre- excavatus, A. longa, and E. fetida. The
composted mixture + soil (with ratio of fifth group was filed without earthworm
3:1w/w); E. eugeniae + only pre- as a control treatment. Each box
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inculcated with 50 healthy adult glasses gars for the subsequent analyses.
earthworms with clear clitellum. The The pH was measured in water
moisture content of the boxes was kept at suspension sample at 1:10 using pH
60-70% of the water holding capacity. meter, Electrical conductivity (EC) was
After draining the excess water, the determined in a 1:10 of solid to water
boxes were covered with pieces of burlap solution according to Falcon (1987).
sacks to maintain the growing Available macronutrient (NPK) was
environment at the appropriate moisture measured and analyzed according to the
level during the experiment. methods described by Subbiah and Asija
Humidification is done with water when (1956), Olsen et al. (1954) and Page
the moisture content is lower than the (1965), respectively. The total organic
suitable limit. The temperature was carbon (TOC) was determined using the
measured twice daily for 90 days, then loss ignition method in a muffle furnace
the average temperature and relative at 550oC for 4 h according to Nelson and
humidity were recorded. Sommers (1996). Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen (TN) was determined according
2.4 Chemical analyses to Stevenson (1982). Carbon/nitrogen
Represented samples were collected from ration estimated from TN% and TOC%.
each treatment at zero and mature stage Total potassium (TK) and total
(after 90 days) of the vermicomposting phosphorus (P) content were measured
experiment to determine the quality and using flame photometer and
quantity of the final product. The spectrophotometer, respectively (Page et
collected samples were air dried, milled, al., 1982). The chemical analysis of the
and then sieved by a 2 mm stainless steel vermicomposting substrates used in this
sieve. The fine samples were storage in study are listed in Table (2).

Table (2): Chemical analysis of the vermicomposting substrates used in this study.
Analysis Pre-composted mixture Soil Cardboard
EC (dS m-1) 8.51±0.19 1.81±0.06 1.86±0.13
pH 9.29±0.01 8.36±0.06 10.92±0.03
TOC (%) 30.16±0.39 4.29±0.12 54.02±0.02
C/N ratio 16.57±0.40 21.45±1.13 49.09±0.66
Total nutrients
N (g kg-1) 18.30±0.30 0.74±1.20 1.10±1.50
P (g kg-1) 9.29±0.18 2.07±0.81 1.42±0.54
K (g kg-1) 13.57±0.51 9.23±0.21 2.75±0.34
Available macronutrients
N (g kg-1) 0.29±0.03 0.13±0.01 Nd*
P (g kg-1) 0.86±0.06 0.015±0.00 Nd*
K (g kg-1) 5.40±0.10 0.76±0.05 0.034±0.00
The testified values are mean ± standard error of three replicates, Nd *= means no detected.

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2.5 Statistical analysis suitable for plant growth. The pH values

of the initial mixtures and in the
The statistical analysis was performed vermicompost after treating with the
using the software Minitab, version different earthworm species as well as
17.3.1 (Informer Technologies Inc.). The the control treatment (without
significant differences between earthworms) were explained in Figure
treatments were tested via ANOVA and (1). The pH was ranged from 8.21 to 8.82
completed by Fisher test at P<0.05 and decreased by 6.24, 9.53, 5.06, 7.79,
significance level. For data analysis and and 7.27% than that observed in PC at
drawing, Microsoft Office Excel the starting time of vermicomposting;
Corporation, USA) were used. and 8.47, 3.95, 4.86, 6.66, and 7.29%
than that of PC+S; and 8.93, 10.84, 8.93,
8.77, and 7.56% in vermicompost of A.
3. Results and Discussion longa, E. fetida, E. eugeniae, P.
excavatus, and control, respectively. The
3.1 Effect of feeding substrate on the final vermicompost of PC and PC+CB
chemical characteristics of the had the lowest pH values (8.41 and 8.39)
vermicompost under the various when E. fetida was presented. While
earthworm species lowest value (8.10) was obtained in
3.1.1 pH values PC+S habitat of A. longa. The decreasing
in the pH in the vermicompost may be
The pH is a good parameter, which due to the produced organic acids during
determines the alkalinity of compost and the decomposition of the organic
vermicompost (Majlessi et al., 2012). substances by earthworms and
The lowest pH vermicompost is more microorganisms.

10
PC PC+S PC+CB

8
pH

7
Raw A. longa E. fetida E. eugeniae P. excavatus Control
substances
0 day 90 days

Figure (1): pH values of the feeding mixtures (PC, PC+S, PC+CB) before
adding earthworms and their vermicomposts after treatments (90 days).

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The low pH value might be attributed to vermicompost, compost, manure, etc.),

the release of organic acids and CO2 as and reflect its validity as an amendment
well as NH3 volatilization through the for soil fertility and agricultural
earthworms and microbial activity or production (Abd El-Rahim et al., 2021;
could be due to the hydrogen ions that Lim et al., 2014). The EC of the mature
released during nitrification process. vermicompost ranged from 2.93 to 6.58
Moreover, it is a common phenomenon dS.m-1and was decreased in the
that the organic fatty acids produced vermicompost processed by A. longa, E.
during composting process can decrease fetida, E. eugeniae, P. excavatus, and
the pH. In addition, it could be because control by 28.61, 35.14, 30.43, 35.30,
of the effect of the decreasing in the EC and 22.74% more than that of the initial
values. The increases of the initial pH EC value of PC, and by 57.17, 55.49,
values of P substrate and the habitat of 45.97, 35.72 and 5.81% less than the EC
PC+CB is due the high content of sodium of PC+S at zero time, and by 14.01,
hydroxide, which applied into the pest of 30.07, 26.13, 26.42, and 3.87%, less than
carton during the producing of carton that of PC+CB, respectively. In general,
boxes. a significant decrease was observed in
the EC of all the mixtures after
3.2 Electrical conductivity (EC) vermicomposting under the various
earthworm species (Figure 2). Also, EC
Electrical conductivity (EC) indicates the of control treatment (compost) was also
salinity of the soil amendment (e.g., decreased (Figure 2).

9
PC PC+S PC+CB
Electrical conductivity

1
Raw A. longa E. fetida E. eugeniae P. excavatus Control
substances
0 day 90 days

Figure (2): Electrical conductivity (EC) values of the feeding mixtures (PC,
PC+S, PC+CB) before and after vermicomposting.

The decreases of EC value during the Arora and Kaur (2019) could be due to
trial parallel with those obtained by the feeding of the earthworms on the
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soluble nutrients. The dissolution of salts (Singh et al., 2014).

and filtration it during the watering of the
boxes could be the main reason of 3.1.3 Total organic carbon (TOC)
shifting EC during the vermicomposting.
Mahaly et al. (2018), reported that, the Organic carbon is an energetic element
changes in the EC during for the activity of microorganisms and
vermicomposting were attributed to the earthworms during the vermicomposting
utilization of soluble salts by process. Total organic carbon (TOC)
microorganisms for biosynthesis and also assessment is a valuable test to access the
to the adsorption of soluble salts by performance of the earthworms in
earthworms. Increase in EC has been decomposition of organic substrates as
reported after vermicomposting due to compared with the TOC content. The
the degradation of organic matter results revealed a decrease in the TOC
releasing minerals such as exchangeable content in all of the tested growth
Ca, Mg, K, and P in the available forms, habitats under the various earthworm
that is, in the form of cations in the species Table (3) and Figure (3). The
vermicompost and compost (Pattnaik and decreases in TOC is due to feeding of the
Reddy, 2010). A decrease in EC of earthworms and the degradation of
vermicomposted paddy and wheat straw organic matter by microorganisms.
with farmyard manure (1:1 ratio) has Ramnarain et al. (2019), indicated that,
been reported due to production of the earthworms accelerate the
ammonium ions (NH4+), as well as loss decomposition of the organic materials
of the dissolved salts in the environment during the vermicomposting.

70
PC PC+S PC+CB
60
50
Reduction in TOC %

40
30
20
10
0
A. longa E. fetida E. eugeniae P. excavatus Control
After 90 days

Figure (3): Reduction percentage of total organic carbon (TOC) content of

vermicomposts, (PC, PC+S, PC+CB) after vermicomposting (90 days) under
the different earthworm species.

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Al-Assiuty et al. (2021), reported similar treatment (Figure 3). The reaction could
results for vermicomposts produced by be due to existing of the soil (as an
E. fetida and Aporrectodea caliginosa. additive) in the vermiculture mixture,
Reduction in the TOC content was which is preverbal (as a natural growth
ranged from 6.92% (PC compost), to habitat) for A. longa. The reduction in
68.10% (PC+S) vermicompost of A. TOC content in PC+S vermicompost
longa. Regarding to PC, vermicompost arraigned in the order of A. longa > E.
of E. fetida had a highest reduction in the fetida > P. excavates > E. eugeniae >
TOC content (54.65%), while untreated control (Figure 3). In PC+CB, the TOC
had the lowest one (6.92%). Therefore, content of the vermicompost reduced by
the reduction in TOC of PC 53.74, 40.01, 37.49, 20.57, and 8.82% for
vermicompost could be arraigned in the E. fetida, E. eugeniae, A. longa, P.
descending order of untreated > A. longa excavates, and control treatments (Figure
> E. eugeniae > P. excavates > E. fetida. 3). In general, E. fetida exhibited a good
In PC+S, an excellent behavior for A. deal in reducing TOC in both PC and
longa in reducing TOC was observed PC+CB vermicomposts, but A. long was
more than other earthworms and compost the best in case of PC+S.

Table (3): The total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP)
and total potassium (TK) content of the vermicompost when treated with
different earthworm species at the initial and final product of vermicomposting.
Parameter TOC (g/k) TN (g/k) TP (g/k) TK (g/k)
0 day
PC 560.07±9.80 18.30±0.30 9.29±0.18 13.57±0.51
PC+S 447.85±9.31 16.4±0.23 7.46±0.21 12.48±0.45
PC+CB 657.84±16.85 15.60±0.23 7.31±0.04 10.87±0.52
90 days
PC 474.28±26.96ab 16.00±056d 11.19±0.26c 19.01±1.89b
A. longa PC+S 160.77±7.28c 20.66±1.16a 14.82±0.23a 21.88±0.24a
PC+CB 411.19±14.78bc 17.97±2.86a 13.04±0.56b 20.99±2.26a
PC 254.01±16.89c 19.01±0.36bc 12.96±0.03b 21.48±1.34a
E. fetida PC+S 186.94±30.53c 17.14±0.15b 13.74±0.10ab 19.14±1.01bc
PC+CB 304.33±50.50c 19.35±0.16a 13.96±0.99bc 25.52±7.95a
PC 429.11±16.06b 20.70±0.16a 11.77±0.62c 21.47±0.57a
E. eugeniae PC+S 327.87±048a 14.94±3.26c 15.10±2.12abc 20.02±1.27b
PC+CB 394.66±50.51bc 18.31±0.06a 17.35±0.42ab 21.14±0.64a
PC 312.30±29.05c 19.74±026ab 18.55±0.02a 19.83±1.24b
P. excavates PC+S 363.77±8.61a 18.52±0.36b 11.42±1.90b 18.16±0.40c
PC+CB 522.51±0.98ab 18.68±1.86a 13.16±0.74b 20.62±0.05a
PC 521.32±8.00a 18.07±0.46c 13.04±0.56b 18.30±0.64bc
Control PC+S 274.08±17.16b 13.50±0.16c 13.94±0.55b 17.03±012bc
PC+CB 629.82±30.91a 16.88±0.03a 21.72±0.00a 17.99±0.64a
PC = 100% pre-composted mixture, PC+S = 75% pre-composted mixture + 25% soil, PC+CB = 75% pre-composted
mixture +25% cardboard, each value represents the mean of three replicates ±standard error, the small letters
represent the significant differences (P<0.05).

Earthworms are classified as the major organic matter and derive their nutrition
decomposers of dead and decomposing from the bacteria and fungi that grow
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upon these materials. They are essential exacavatus increased TN by 2.12 and
not only for soil fertility but also for 4.26%, respectively, but decreased by
recycling organic wastes (Edwards and 0.94, 3.46 and 2.90% in E. fetida, E.
Lofty, 1977). In vermicomposting, the eugeniae and control treatments.
earthworm consumes organic residues Referring to PC+CB, the TN of the
and converts them through its gut into vermicomposts produced with E. fetida,
very fine particles and simplest P. exacavatus, E. eugeniae, A. longa, and
constituents. Aalok et al. (2009) found control was increased by 3.8, 3.1, 2.7,
that the reduction in the TOC indicates 2.4, and 1.3% than the initial substrates.
the ability of earthworm to decompose The increasing of total nitrogen in the
organic matter (Rahman et al., 2020). vermicompost is due to the reduction of
dry mass in terms of carbon dioxide
3.1.4 Chemical composition in vermicompost during the oxidation of organic matter. In
addition, the earthworms can enhance
Total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), nitrogen levels during vermicomposting
and potassium (TK) content as well as through the digestion of substrate in their
C/N ratio of the initial substrates and the gut and simultaneous addition of
mature vermicoposts of different organic nitrogenous excretory products, mucous,
additives for earthworm species are body fluid, enzymes which are retained
shown in Table (3). Data indicated to the vermicomposat as a casts; besides
significant effect on the chemical the decay of dead tissues of warms in the
composition of the final vermicompost vermicomposting system (Joseph, 2019).
with growth habitats and species of Garg et al. (2006), Repoted that analyzed
earthworms as compared with initial the nutrients content of the cast of E.
substrates. The TN increased in final fetida from different types of organic
vermicomposts except with PC substances i.e., textile sludge, textile
vermcompost of A. longa, PC+S of E. fiber, institutional waste, kitchen waste,
eugeniae and control of PC and PC+S and agro-residues. They found that, the
(Table 3). In PC vermicompost, TN total nitrogen content increased in the
content increased by 2.60, 1.64, 0.91% presence of earthworms. In spite of the
for E. eugeniae, P. excavates, and E. excellent nitrogen conservation behavior
fetida, respectively as compared with the of E. fetid in the PC+CB and A. longa in
initial PC. On the other hand, A. longa the PC+S, the ability of P. excavates to
and control treatments were reduced the maintain N in the three types of growth
TN by 2.10 and 0.03%, respectively. habitat was observed. The TP decreased
However, the earthworm species show in all of final vermicomposts comparing
variable trend in their ability to conserve with the initial mixture except the
nitrogen element. Regarding to the PC+CB of E. eugeniae that was
vermicompost of PC+S, A. longa and P. increased. Increases in TK were recorded
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for all treatments (Table 3). TK content Determining the available nutrients
ranged from 17.03 g/kg (the control of content of the mature vermicompost
PC+S) to 25.22 g/kg (PC+CB of E. considered as a quality test, which is
fetida). Generally, earthworms are related to the maturity of the
arranged according to the TK content in vermicomposting process. The data
their final vermicompost in descending presented in Table (4) showed a
order of control > E. fetida > E. reduction in the available nitrogen in the
eugeniae > P. excavates > A. longa for vermicompost produced from PC, PC+S,
the PC final products, A. longa > E. and PC+P, for all treatments of the
eugeniae > E. fetida > control > P. earthworms species except the control
excavates for the PC+S; and E. fetida > treatment of PC, The PC+S
A. longa ≈ P. excavates ≈E. eugeniae ≈ vermicompost of E. fetida and the control
control (Table 3). Similar result of TK one of PC+CB, which were increased the
was reported by Al-Assiuty et al. (2021). available nitrogen by 27.7, 32, and 14%,
respectively, compared to the initial
3.2 Effect of feeding substrate and substrates (Table 4). In short, E. fetida
earthworm species on the available exhibited the highest increases in the
macronutrients in final vermicompost available N in PC+CB vermicompost.

Table (4): Available macronutrients content (Nitrogen, phosphorus, and

potassium) in the vermicompost under different earthworm species in the initial
and mature stage of vermicomposting.
Parameter Available N Available P Available K
0 day
PC 0.29±0.03 0.86±0.06 5.40±0.10
PC+S 0.22±0.01 0.65±0.00 4.24 ±0.05
PC+CB 0.21±0.01 0.64±0.00 4.05±0.00
90 days
PC 0.19±0.02bc 0.47±0.03d 5.82±0.14d
A. longa PC+S 0.22±0.01a 0.60±0.02ab 9.30±0.13a
PC+CB 0.19±0.04b 0.48±0.01a 6.61±0.18d
PC 0.11±0.00d 0.67±0.00c 8.91±0.22a
E. fetida PC+S 0.16±0.01ab 0.64±0.01a 6.24±0.32c
PC+CB 0.48±0.08a 0.54±0.02a 7.83±0.58b
PC 0.24±0.03b 1.04±0.04a 6.82±0.24c
E. eugeniae PC+S 0.21±0.04a 0.52±0.03cd 6.12±0.09c
PC+CB 0.17±0.02b 0.66±0.01a 8.87±0.25a
PC 0.17±0.00cd 0.82±0.01b 8.16±0.11b
P. excavates PC+S 0.15±0.02ab 0.45±0.02d 7.02±0.09b
PC+CB 0.12±0.02b 0.69±0.12a 8.25±0.12ab
PC 0.57±0.02a 0.71±0.02c 6.14±0.23d
Compost PC+S 0.11±0.00b 0.55±0.02bc 6.03±0.18c
PC+CB 0.39±0.03a 0.57±0.00a 6.14±0.16d
PC = 100% pre-composted mixture, PC+S = 75% pre-composted mixture + 25% soil, PC+CB = 75% pre-composted
mixture +25% cardboard, each value represents the mean of three replicates ±standard error, the small letters
represent the significant differences (P<0.05).

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The declining in the available nitrogen vermicompost produced by E. eugeniae

during the vermicomposting could be due (114%) compared with initial mixture
to the mineralization of organic nitrogen when the growth habitat was PC, while,
by microorganisms and the earthworms. E. fetida and A. longa showed a highest
While, increasing of available N may be increases in the available K (89 and 56%)
due to the decomposition of organic in the vermicompost of PC and PC+CB,
nitrogen during the process (Joseph, (79 and 68%) for respectively. Therefore,
2019). Comparing with the available increase in available K in PC
phosphorus of the initial substrate, there vermicompost could be arranged in
was a reduction in the availability of ordered of E. fetida < P. excavates < E.
phosphorus in all of the produced eugeniae < A. longa = control; were as
vermicomposts of PC, PC+S, and A. longa < P. excavates < E. fetida = E.
PC+CB under all tested earthworm eugeniae = control in case vermicompost
species (Table 4). Regarding to available of PC+S; and E. eugeniae < P. excavates
K (Available K), all the tested < E. fetida = A. longa = control in the
earthworms showed an increase in the PC+CB vermicomposts. Suthar (2007)
extractable potassium (Table (4) and reported that, vermicomposting showed
Figure (4)). Available K was ranged from to be an effective process for regaining
5.83 (A. longa) to 8.91 g/kg (E. fetida), higher potassium from organic wastes.
from 6.3 (control) to 9.30 (A. longa), and Zuhair (2011) observed that the
from 6.14 (control) to 8.87 g/kg (E potassium content in the produced
eugeniae) in vermicompost of PC, PC+S, vermicompost was increased
and PC+CB, respectively. High available significantly with the advancement of
K value was detected in the vermicomposting periods.

10
PC PC+S PC+CB
9
Available K (g kg-ˡ)

8
7
6
5
4
3
Raw A. longa E. fetida E. eugeniae P. excavatus Control
substances
0 day 90 days
Figure (4): Available potassium (K) content in the feeding mixtures (PC,
PC+S, and PC+CB) before and after vermicomposting under treatments by
different earthworm species.

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Comparing with the available significantly with the advancement of

phosphorus of the initial substrate, there vermicomposting periods. The observed
was a reduction in the availability of data as a result of microbial enzyme
phosphorus in all the produced activity produced by the microorganisms
vermicomposts of PC, PC+S, and in the earthworm’s gut perhaps
PC+CB under all tested earthworm transformed insoluble potassium into a
species (Table 4). Regarding to available soluble form (Kaviraj and Sharma, 2003;
K (Available K), all the tested Pattnaik and Reddy, 2010). Sharma
earthworms showed an increase in the (2003) showed that the acid production
extractable potassium (Table (4) and by the microorganisms was the main
Figure (4)). Available K was ranged from technique for solubilizing insoluble
5.83 (A. longa) to 8.91 g/kg (E. fetida), potassium and the promoted number of
from 6.3 (control) to 9.30 (A. longa), and microflorae exists in the gut of the
from 6.14 (control) to 8.87 g/kg (E earthworms, vermicomposting may have
eugeniae) in vermicompost of PC, PC+S, played a significant role in transformed
and PC+CB, respectively. High available insoluble potassium and increased
K value was detected in the potassium over the control.
vermicompost produced by E. eugeniae
(114%) compared with initial mixture 4. Conclusion
when the growth habitat was PC, while
E. fetida and A. longa showed highest From all investigated results we can
increases in the available K (89 and 56%) concluded that the PC+CB and PC+S
in the vermicompost of PC and PC+CB, vermicompost’s produced by E. fetida
(79 and 68%) for respectively. Therefore, and P. excavatus have the best results for
increase in available K in PC quality measurements. The worms have a
vermicompost could be arranged in promising function in the recycling of
ordered of E. fetida < P. excavates < E. organic wastes. Although A. longa did
eugeniae < A. longa = control; were as not survive in the full organic matter
A. longa < P. excavates < E. fetida = E. growing habitat, whoever adding soil
eugeniae = control in case vermicompost into the growth habitat increased its
of PC+S; and E. eugeniae < P. excavates ability in organic matter recycling. The
< E. fetida = A. longa = control in the total NPK content and their available
PC+CB vermicomposts. Suthar (2007) forms were enhanced in the vermicompost’s
reported that, vermicomposting showed of PC+CB and PC+C for all tested worms
to be an effective process for regaining in compared with PC vermicompost and
higher potassium from organic wastes. control treatment, but E. fetida was the
Zuhair (2011) observed that the best. More research is required to
potassium content in the produced understand the behavior of the earthworms
vermicompost was increased with different bulking agents.
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