title: Influence of organic wastes on the biology of epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus during different seasons.
abstract: Epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus were cultured on a variety of organic wastes amended with cattle manure in different seasons to know the influence of different organic waste-diets and seasonal environmental factors on life activities of epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus. Results showed that growth and reproductive strategies of P. excavatus varied with different organic waste-diets and seasons. Growth, maturity and reproduction of worms in all waste-diets were significantly more during monsoon followed by winter and summer seasons. All agricultural and garden organic wastes served as a source of balanced diet for this worm during all three seasons. Further, mixed organic waste and soft (straw-based) wastes appeared more congenial for overall life activities of this worm than that of hard (pod-based) wastes (P < 0.001, P < 0.05).
authors.forename: Pulikeshi M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Biradar
authors.forename: Vijaykumar A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Biradar
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012621:Seasons; D062611:Solid Waste
chemical_list: D062611:Solid Waste