AGING EFFECT ON MICROBIAL POPULATIONS, ENZYME ACTIVITIES AND NPK CONTENTS IN THE SOIL WORMCASTS OF LAMPITO MAURITII (KINBERG) AND EUDRILUS EUGENIAE (KINBERG)K. PARTHASARATHI AND L.S. RANGANATHANAbstract Total microbial populations, amylase, cellulase, invertase, protease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities and NPK contents in the uningested clayloam soil, freshly deposited, 15 and 30 days old casts ofLampito mauritii and Eudrilus eugeniae had been determined. Freshly deposited casts of both the worms had significantly enhanced microbial populations, enzyme activities and NPK contents, which was due to enhanced nutrient, mineralization and optimal moisture level. In aged casts there was a concomitant reduction in the microbial population and activity and correlated reduction in enzyme activity and NPK contents, due to reduced nutrients, moisture and loss probably due to immobilization and volatilization. KEY WORDS : Clay loam soil, wormcasts, microbes, enzymes, NPK, aging.
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