title: Effect of enzyme producing microorganisms on the biomass of epigeic earthworms (eisenia fetida) in vermicompost.
abstract: We analyzed the bacterial community structure of the intestines of earthworms and determined the effect of enzyme producing microorganisms on the biomass of earthworms in vermicompost. Fifty-seven bacterial 16S rDNA clones were identified in the intestines of earthworms by using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis. Entomoplasma somnilux and Bacillus licheniformis were the dominant microorganisms; other strains included Aeromonas, Bacillus, Clostridium, Ferrimonas, and uncultured bacteria. Among these strains, Photobacterium ganghwense, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Paenibacillus motobuensis were enzyme-producing microorganisms. In the mixtures that were inoculated with pure cultures of A. hydrophila WA40 and P. motobuensis WN9, the highest survival rate was 100% and the average number of earthworms, young earthworms, and cocoons were 10, 4.00-4.33, and 3.00-3.33, respectively. In addition, P. motobuensis WN9 increased the growth of earthworms and production of casts in the vermicompost. These results show that earthworms and microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Ju Sam
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kun Sub
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D018533:Biomass; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012987:Soil