Growth and Reproduction Performance of the Earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) Fed with Different Substrates Made of Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunches: A Case of Vermicompost Production, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to analyze the growth capacity and activity of the worm species Eudrilus eugeniae in different substrates based on palm oil empty fruit bunches as part of the production of vermicompost. To this end, 4 treatments were carried out by adding to palm oil empty fruit bunches other substrates readily available in the environment, notably Chromolaena odorata leaves and grass clippings. 1.5 L plastic boxes were filled with 800 g of soil and 300 g of various precomposted substrates. In each box, 4 earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) were seeded. A total of 4 treatments were carried out: T1 (palm oil empty fruit bunches + earthworms), T2 (palm oil empty fruit bunches + Chromolaena odorata + earthworms), T3 (palm oil empty fruit bunches + grass clippings + earthworms) and T4 (palm oil empty fruit bunches + Chromolaena odorata + grass clippings + earthworms). For the different vermicomposts based on palm oil empty fruit bunches, growth parameters and Eudrilus eugeniae activity were better in treatments T3 and T4. These same treatments also showed significant variation in substrate quantity after vermicomposting. The combination of palm oil empty fruit bunches and green waste (Chromolaena odorata and grass clippings) would be ideal for the production of vermicompost with good agronomic potential to be applied as an organic amendment to cultivated plants.