PENRO CAPITOL SEMINAR

1. Wonderful WorldWonderful World
ofof
Welcome to theWelcome to the

2. EarthwormsEarthworms
 Free-living, beneficialFree-living, beneficial
 Non - Parasitic!Non - Parasitic!
 ImproveImprove soil structuresoil structure andand fertilityfertility
 Enhance microbial activity that promotes plantEnhance microbial activity that promotes plant
growth and healthgrowth and health
 Serve as natural food for fish, birds andServe as natural food for fish, birds and
mammalsmammals

3. ““Intestines of the Earth”Intestines of the Earth”
- Aristotle- Aristotle
“Ecosystem Engineer”“Ecosystem Engineer”
- Lavelle et al.- Lavelle et al.
“Angel in the Backyard”“Angel in the Backyard”
- Chinese- Chinese
(Source: Cuendet and Bieri, 1999)

4. Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms
 ClassificationClassification
 Annelida (segmented worms)Annelida (segmented worms)
 Oligochaeta (few bristles)Oligochaeta (few bristles)
(Source: Gaddie and Douglas, 1975)

5. Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms
 Number of Earthworm SpeciesNumber of Earthworm Species
±4,000 in the world±4,000 in the world
400 > in the Philippines400 > in the Philippines
 CharacteristicsCharacteristics
 Breathe through their skinBreathe through their skin
 Hermaphroditic (have both sex organs)Hermaphroditic (have both sex organs)
 Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the soilFeed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the soil
 Active at nightActive at night
 Many are migratoryMany are migratory

6. Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms
 Life CycleLife Cycle
 Eudrilus eugeniaeEudrilus eugeniae (“African nighcrawler”) comes from(“African nighcrawler”) comes from
West AfricaWest Africa
 Introduced in the Philippines in 1982 by Dr. Otto GraffIntroduced in the Philippines in 1982 by Dr. Otto Graff
 Most extensively cultured species in the tropicsMost extensively cultured species in the tropics
CocoonsCocoons
(Eggs)(Eggs)
JuvenilesJuveniles
(Young)(Young)
2 wks2 wks
AdultAdult
(Breeder)(Breeder)
2 wks2 wks

8. Biology ofBiology of EarthwormsEarthworms
 Life SpanLife Span
 1-2 years in nature1-2 years in nature
 More than 10 years in captivityMore than 10 years in captivity
 Growth RateGrowth Rate
 the “African nightcrawler” can grow to more than 30 cmthe “African nightcrawler” can grow to more than 30 cm
in length and 3 grams eachin length and 3 grams each

9. Ecology ofEcology of EarthwormsEarthworms
 Depending on their feeding pattern,Depending on their feeding pattern,
earthworms are classified into:earthworms are classified into:
 Epigeic – feed on litter at the surface without burrowingEpigeic – feed on litter at the surface without burrowing
in the soilin the soil
Ex.Ex. Eudrilus eugeniaeEudrilus eugeniae
 Anecic – feed on litter at the surface and burrow intoAnecic – feed on litter at the surface and burrow into
the soilthe soil
Ex.Ex. Lumbricus terrestrisLumbricus terrestris
 Endogeic – feed on soil in permanent burrowsEndogeic – feed on soil in permanent burrows
Ex.Ex. Pontoscolex corethrurusPontoscolex corethrurus

10. Cultural Requirements ofCultural Requirements of
EarthwormsEarthworms Aeration (porous soil)Aeration (porous soil)
 Not water-loggedNot water-logged
 Oxygen needed for respirationOxygen needed for respiration
 Moisture (40-80%)Moisture (40-80%)
 For maintenance of body fluids (80% > of body weight)For maintenance of body fluids (80% > of body weight)
 TemperatureTemperature
 ““Cold blooded”Cold blooded”
 Tropical species will die at temperatures below 12Tropical species will die at temperatures below 12oo
CC
 Organic Matter (decomposed plants and animal matter)Organic Matter (decomposed plants and animal matter)
 At least 2% to provide substrate for microorganismsAt least 2% to provide substrate for microorganisms
 C:N Ratio (proportions of carbon and nitrogen)C:N Ratio (proportions of carbon and nitrogen)