Performance of Lumbricus Rubellus (Red Worm) on Different Animal Wastes

Introduction

Vermicomposting (Worm composting)is defined as a process in which earthworms play a major role with microbes in the conversion of organic solid waste into more stabilized dark, earth- smelling soil conditioner and nutrient-rich compost that is rich in major and micronutrients [1]. During vermicomposting, organic matter is stabilized by the enhanced decomposition (humification) in presence of earthworms, but by a non-thermophilic process [2- 4]. The great advantage of worm composting is that this can be done indoors and outdoors, thus allowing year round composting. It also provides apartment dwellers with a means of composting. Vermicomposting allows obtaining organic sources of nutrients for the crops in relatively less time, which are physically, nutritionally and biochemically improved over composts. Vermicomposting is defined as a low cost technology system for processing or treatment of organic waste Having established their efficiency in converting organic substances to composts, they are widely used in vermicomposting for waste management, production of soil amendment and other uses [5]. The conversion of organic waste into vermicomposting started in the United State and United Kingdom in the 1980s [6]. Whole or portions of earthworms are traditionally used as fish bait in the United State. Their commercial production or permaculture for fish bait was stated in the 1950. Vermicomposts, especially those from animal waste sources,usually contained more mineral elements than commercial plant growth media, and many of these elements were changed to forms more that could be readily taken up by the plants, such as nitrates, exchangeable phosphorus, and soluble potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of vermicompost production via ( Red worm) Lumbriscus Rubellus on different (animal Wastes), .

Materials and Methods

Earth Worm Type

The epigiec earthworm Lumbriscus Rubellus (Red Worm) was provided by Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Indoor system of vermicomposting was used in this investigation for producing the vermicompost, Twelve holed plastic boxes (35 x 52 x 15 cm) were established as indoor system of vermicomposting. Each three of holed plastic boxes had 60 worm divided to three replicates for every Animal Waste. Which contained one species of epigiec earthworms (Red Worm) and four Treatments contained three replicates for each waste. Worm diameter: 0.4 – 6 mm and worm length: 80 – 120 mm.

Pre-Composting The Raw Materials

The final mix of raw materials soaked in water for 0.5 to 1 hour to make sure it is not any drier before feeding the worms. Worms should be avoiding the thermophilic stage (increase temperature above 35 oC cause the death of earthworms in vermicompost systems) through control the feeding rate of earthworm. The epigiec earthworm consume as much as their weight of different wastes, the feeding rate of earthworm was 90% of the earthworm weight [7].

Feeding of Earth Worm

The substrate for vermicomposting was prepared by mixing pre- composted (rice straw – Animal Wastes -) [8]. Animal Wastes(Cow dung – Horse waste) was collected from a private farm in Bader city, Behaira Governorate, Egypt. Rabbit droppings was collected from Genetic engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI ), University of Sadat city, Sadat city, Egypt. Sewage sludge was collected from Wadi El-Natroun Drain off station, Wadi El-Natroun Governorate, Egypt [9,10] Each tray was filled with 1000 gm of substrate, respectively 700gm, 300gm, Thereafter, a total of adult worms of lumbricus Rubellus, were introduced into respective designated experimental trays. Each tray was covered with jute cloth to protect the worms from predators. Temperature and moisture content were maintained by sprinkling water twice a day, In each tray, porous plastic sack were made at the bottom to facilitate good drainage and aeration. The process of vermicomposting was carried out for 100 days.

Experimental Design

Twelve holed plastic boxes (35 x 52 x 15 cm) were established as indoor system of vermicomposting. Each three of holed plastic boxes had 60 worm divided to three replicates for every Animal Waste. Which contained one species of epigiec earthworms (Red Worm) and four Treatments from three replicates for each waste. and four plastic boxes without using any earthworms as a control. whereat The plastic box contains on one waste.

Sample Collection and Physico-Chemical Analysis

Physico-chemical analysis was done in The Environmental and food biotechnology laboratory, Genetic engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI ), University of Sadat city, Sadat city, From each replicate, about 200g of sample was taken at the end of the process. To analysis Nitrogen (N), , potassium (K) and organic carbon (OC). Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of harvested vermicompost were also recorded at the end of the process. The N content was determined by Kjeldahl method while, Determination of total kjeldahl in explant (NH4-N). (APHA, 2005). Kjeldahl method was used for determination of total nitrogen contents in plant materials.

• Digestion Unit

About 1 gram of grounded plant materials were mixed with 10 ml conc H2SO4 and the mixture was digested for I h at 400 oC with digester (Behr- Germany).

• Distillation Unit

The reaction was distilled and 45 ml 40% NaOH was added. The net result solutions were received in flask containing 50 ml 4% Boric acid solution. This solution was neutralized with 0.02 N H2SO4 [11].

Metal Determination by ICP-MS

For metals determination Harvested waste materials were dried at 65 â?¦C for 72 h and then ground with a mill. A total of 0.5 g of each sample was then digested with 10 ml of a mixture of 69% HNO3, conc HCl (3:1v/v) in a heating digester (DK 20, VELP Scientifica, Milan, Italy).

Plant extracts were filtered through disposable 0.2 µm PTFE syringe filters (DISMIC-25HP, Advantec, Tokyo, Japan). The metal concentrations in these extracts were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) (iCAP, Thermo, Germany). Certified reference materials (Merck, Germany) were included in the analyses. The recovery of metals was within the certified limits.Qtegra software was used for average and relative standard deviation calculation [12].

• Statistical Analysis

The randomized factorial design was applied, and data were the examination of variation. Separation of means between treatments was determined using LSD test at 5% [13].

Results and Discussion

The Reproductive of L.rebellus on Different Animal Wastes

Results in Table (3) showed that the highest number of produced worms of L.rebellus was on Horse waste followed by Rabbit This waste had the lowest number of produced worms, whereas Horse waste, Rabbit droppings and Cow dung had nonsignificant effects but Sewage sludge had a significant effect, (produced worms means= Adult worms + Juvenile worms not baby worms ) irrespective of The Rate of mortality whereas it had a resemble circumstances(passive method), Moreover Cocoons had a Similar results [15,16].

                                                        Table 3: Growth Parameters of L.rebellus on Different Animal Wastes

Figure 1: Means of Growth Parameters of L.rebellus on Different Animal Wastes

This Results may be attributed to the aeration of These wastes(Horse waste, Rabbit droppings and Cow dung) Conversely of Sewage sludge, or That attributed to The highest Level of organic matter of These wastes.

The Effect of L.rebellus on Organic matter(animal wastes)

Table 4: Chemical Characteristics of Vermicompost Produced by The Epigiec Earthworms Lumbriscus Rubellus (Red Worm) on different Animal Wastes

Table 5: Physico - Chemical Characteristics of Vermicompost Produced by the Epigiec Earthworms Lumbriscus Rubellus (Red Worm) On Different Animal Wastes

Results in Table ( 4 ) indicated that all nutrients generally decreased after earth worms treatment, This Results may be attributed to the metabolic of earthworms. Vermicomposts are products derived from the accelerated biological degradation of organic wastes by earthworms and microorganisms. Earthworms consume and fragment the organic wastes into finer particles by passing them through a grinding gizzard and derive their nourishment from microorganisms that grow upon them.This minerals are detained inside their tissues. The process accelerates the rates of decomposition of the organic matter, alter the physical and chemical properties of the material, leading to a humification effect in which the unstable organic matter is fully oxidized and stabilized [17,18].

Consequently heavy metals had a resemble results, The similar differences in chemical compositions of the vermicompost based on the substrate used, the highest elemental values were recorded in vermicomposts from horse waste, rabbit dropping, sewage sludge and cow dung, respectively) [19,20]. This results may be attributed to The highest Level of organic matter of These wastes vermicomposts contained adequate amounts of macronutrients and trace elements of various kinds but were dependent on the sources of the earthworm feedstock, (Erratic results) [21,22]. The highest elemental concentrations were recorded in horse waste With (7.560) PH, (523.0 us/cm) EC, (25.1%) Total protein (25.614%) Total organic matter, (14.230%) Total organic carbon, (56.693%) C/N Ratio and The lowest elemental concentrations were recorded in Cow dung with only (7.120) PH, (366.0 us/ cm) EC, (22.9%) Total protein, (22.322%) Total organic matter, (12.40 %) Total organic carbon, (54.153 %) C/N Ratio, except for The highest level of Ash was(71.0) in sewage but The lowest level of Ash was(51.0) in horse waste, The highest level of Total protein was(30.1) in Rabbit droppings but The lowest level of Total protein was(22.9) in Cow dung, The highest level of C/N Ratio was(56.693%) in horse waste but The lowest level of C/N Ratio was(42.997%) in Rabbit droppings [23-26].

Conclusion

In the present study, L. Rubellus (Red Worm), showed better growth performance of earth worm number in Horse waste, Rabbit droppings and Cow dung compared with Sewage sludge, it had the lowest number of produced worms whereas all nutrients generally decreased after earth worms treatment and the highest elemental values were recorded in vermicomposts from horse waste, rabbit dropping, sewage sludge and cow dung, respectively. It could be conclude that “ when animal wastes contained high level from organic matter, earth worm number and quality of vermicompost would be increase”.

Acknowledgement

The authors Acknowledge The Environmental Studies & Research Institute and Genetic engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat city, Egypt.

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