ABSTRACT
Some species of epigeal earthworms have the potential for hastening the decomposition process. However, the reproductive cycle of earthworms is influenced by both environmental conditions and the quality of food materials available (Meentmeyer, 1978; Satchell, 1967; Edwards and Heath, 1975; Lee, 1983). Such faunal activities and their combination for waste recycling needs thus to be evaluated in order to better utilize the potential indigenous species and to design a package of practices that are technically feasible, economically viable and readily acceptable to forest managers and farmers. The present study was undertaken to (i) develop a simple and effective system of decomposing wastes in the shortest possible time (vermicomposting) using three species of epigeal earthworms, (ii) study the population dynamics of the three earthworm species under different substrate regimes in a vermicomposting system, and (iii) compare the application of composts with chemical fertilizer on grain yields of crops and soil biological activity in Typic Haplustert.
