Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

RESPONSE OF EARTHWORMS TO STRESSED ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR SUSTENANCE IN DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL MEDIA

M. Dasgupta and S.M. Singh

Abstract

The maximum mortality of Metaphire posthuma was found in cattle dung (156.25%) and the minimum in 1:3 medium (54.35%); while no mortality was seen in the medium having soil only. In eutyphoeuswaltoni it was 208.33% in both cattle dung and 3:1 media. It was the lowest in 1:3 medium (73.53%); while nil in the soil medium. In case of Eisenia fetida 35.71% mortality was recorded only in the soil medium. Amongst the three species of worms, the maximum sustainability was observed in E. fetida, less in .M. posthuma and the least in E. waltont in the given experimental media suggesting that both the worms, M. posthuma and E. waltoni, could not sustain the stressed environment and succumbed to death; whereas E. fetida, with its more endurance, sustained well even in such adverse and stressed conditions proving to be a good option for solid waste management