Growth and reproduction of earthworm eudrilus eugeniae in murraya koenigii leaf litter

Abstract

Reproduction potential of vermicomposting earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae using Murraya koenigii leaf litter with cow dung and garden soil used as the mixed substrates. The growth and reproductive potential of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae and the number of juveniles, cocoons and adults were higher in experimental setup T1 (100% cow dung alone). In curry leaf Murraya koenigii were suppressed the growth and reproduction of earthworm, it might be due to the higher concentration of chemical compounds Alpha-caryophyllene, 2-Phenyl-4-quinolinecarboxamide, Phenanthrene in the leaf and the physico chemical parameters were observed on the initial substrate, 45th day substrate and vermiwash. Compared to all experimental treatments the growth and reproduction potential of adult (21.82±2.17), juvenile (12.88±1.30) and cocoon (5.66±0.78) production increased in the T1 setup.