Optimal Moisture Condition and Inoculation Density of Eisenia foetida for Vermicomposting of Domestic Animal Manure

Experiments to assess optimal moisture condition and inoculation density of Eisenia foetida for vermicomposting of cattle manure,pig manure and mixture of chicken droppings and dregs of decoction(1∶1 dry weight ratio)were conducted in laboratory at 20 ℃.It was found that the optimal moisture condition for growth and reproduction of Eisenia foetida was 70% with cattle manure,75% with pig manure and 65% with the mixture,and that 8 earthworms per 100 g manure (dry weight) was the most favorable inoculation density for all kinds of manure.Eisenia foetida showed the highest reproduction rate in cattle manure and the highest growth rate in pig manure whereas both growth and reproduction were greatly inhibited in the mixture of chicken manure and dregs of decoction.