Vermicomposting Performance of Combined African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) and Native Earthworm (Perionyx excavatus)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65141/jeraff.v6i1.n2Keywords:
African night crawler, native earthworm, epigeic earthworm, vermicomposting, vermicastAbstract
This study evaluated the effects of different combinations of the two epigeic species of earthworm, the African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) and the native earthworm (Perionyx excavatus), on vermicast production, substrate decomposition efficiency, nutrient composition, and economic viability. Six treatments were tested: 100% African nightcrawler (T1), 100% native earthworm (T2), and mixed ratios of both species (T3–T6). Results showed that T1 yielded the highest mean vermicast (22.13 kg), closely followed by T6 (21.57 kg), while T2 produced the lowest yield (14.60 kg). Analysis of unconsumed substrate showed that T2 had the highest residual material (21.0 kg), whereas T1 had the lowest (13.5 kg), indicating efficient decomposition among the treatments. Significant differences (p<.01) were observed among treatments in both vermicast production and substrate decomposition. In terms of nutrient composition, T6 revealed the highest nitrogen content (1.95%), while variations in phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrient levels suggested that species combinations influence nutrient dynamics during decomposition. In general, mixed treatment combinations enhanced nutrient availability, particularly in nitrogen and micronutrients such as iron and manganese. Economic analysis revealed that T2 produced the highest return on investment (228.13%) due to lower production costs, while T1 had the lowest ROI (92.21%) with the higher input costs. The African nightcrawler improved production and nutrient quality, while native earthworms proved more cost-efficient. Overall, the study illustrates that combining African nightcrawlers and native earthworms can optimize vermicast production, nutrient quality, and decomposition efficiency, while economic considerations favor the use of native species for low-cost vermicomposting
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