Food resource availability is one of the most important factors affecting the performance and different activities of earthworms. Thus the present study focuses on testing the biological responses of two different species of earthworms one of them represents an epigeic forms Eisenia fetida and the other belongs to edaphic (Aporrectodea caliginosa) towards a mixture of organic substances of rice straw, cow dung, leaf litter, sawdust, banana peel, and kitchen waste. Specific body weight gain (SBWG) and different reproduction parameters were measured in relation to the diet quality of organic additives. Significant effects of the used organic additives on different studied parameters of both worm species could be recorded. The two earthworm species showed different responses toward the organic additives. In conclusion, it could be suggested that species specificity, worm’s ecotype, as well as food resource availability, are the main factors controlling worm biomass and different earthworm activities.
Key words: Eisenia fetida and Aporrectodea caliginosa, organic additives, biomass, reproduction parameters
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