Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance

Received: 10 June 2024     Accepted: 29 June 2024     Published: 15 July 2024
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Abstract

Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms.

Published in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 13, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
Page(s) 106-115
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Organic Manure, Red Worm, Growth, Proximate Composition, Eisenia fetida

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Maziku, Z., Munubi, R. N., Mwandya, A. W. (2024). Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 13(4), 106-115. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12

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    ACS Style

    Maziku, Z.; Munubi, R. N.; Mwandya, A. W. Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance. Agric. For. Fish. 2024, 13(4), 106-115. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12

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    AMA Style

    Maziku Z, Munubi RN, Mwandya AW. Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance. Agric For Fish. 2024;13(4):106-115. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12,
      author = {Zephania Maziku and Renalda Nanziga Munubi and Augustine Warioba Mwandya},
      title = {Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance
    },
      journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
      volume = {13},
      number = {4},
      pages = {106-115},
      doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20241304.12},
      abstract = {Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Organic Manure as Rearing Substrates for Red Worms (Eisenia fetida): Effects on Chemical Composition and Growth Performance
    
    AU  - Zephania Maziku
    AU  - Renalda Nanziga Munubi
    AU  - Augustine Warioba Mwandya
    Y1  - 2024/07/15
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
    T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    SP  - 106
    EP  - 115
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5648
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241304.12
    AB  - Red worms (Eisenia fetida) can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass and become high in protein and lipid content. However, the type of growth media used affects both larval body composition and growth performance. Using recycled organic materials from chicken manure (CM), cow dung manure (CDM) and rabbit manure (RM), the present study evaluated the production of red worms that could be used as a substitute protein source for fish meals. Two experiments were conducted, the first experiment tested the compatibility of each organic manure when mixed with soil separately, whereas the second experiment combined the three organic manures with a fixed amount of soil. The study was conducted for 60 days. The findings showed that red worms reared on 100 % CM had a significantly higher body weight (19.27 ± 0.9 g) followed by those reared on 100 % CDM and 75% RM, whereas red worms reared on 100 % RM had the lowest body weight (4.9 ± 0.1 g). A combination of 20% CM + 40% CDM + 20% RM + 20% Soil supported significantly higher body weight of red worms (24.9 ± 1.1 g), while the lowest value of body weight (5.1 ± 0.2 g) was in a combination of 20% CM + 0% CDM + 60% RM + 20% Soil). Furthermore, the results revealed that red worms reared on 100 % CDM without soil as waste substrate had the highest crude protein (73.28% DM) compared to red worms reared on other types of substrates. The study suggests the potential of reusing organic manure such as chicken and cow dung manure at different inclusion levels in the production of red worms.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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