CSA Xpert

Earthworms are small, soft, cylindrical bodied invertebrates that play a vital role in soil ecosystem maintenance. They are mainly divided into two types: (i) burrowing; and (ii) non-burrowing.

• Burrowing earthworms (Pertima elongata and Pertima asiatica) are pale, 20-30 cm long with a life span of 15 years resides deep in the soil, and make holes in the soil up to a depth of 3.5 m and produce 5.6 kg casts by ingesting 90% soil and 10% organic waste.
• Non-burrowing earthworms are red or purple and 10-15 cm long with life span of only 28 months (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugenae) residing in the upper layer of soil surface. They consume 10% soil and 90% organic waste materials and converts the organic waste into vermicompost, way faster than the burrowing earthworms. They can tolerate temperatures up to  (0-40 °C) but the multiplication rate is more at (25-30°C) and with a moisture level of (40-45%) in the pile.

Important characteristics of common red worm (Eisenia fetida)

Body length: 3-10 cm; body weight: 0.4-0.6 g, 

Maturity: 50-55 d, 

Conversion rate: 2.0 q/1500 worms/2 months, 

Cocoon production: 1 in every 3 days;

incubation of cocoon: 20-23 days.