The denomination of californian red worm embraces a group of
specimens; one of them, the eisenya foetida,was selected in the state of
California during the 50 decade because of its short reproduction cycle
(four times a year), because of the high frecuency of mating
(produces 1 cocoon each 7 or 10 days), its superior longevity
(15 years), its docility for reduced environment breeding, its
voracity and owing to the previous causes its major velocity
and volume of worm humus or vermicompost production.
From only one worm you attain around 10.000 descendants ending
the 1 year according to the following table that considers averages
such as: 1 cocoon per worm each 10 days ,3 worms being born per cocoon
(3x3=9 , 27 after 3 months) and with a 50-70% of loss for migration or
death it still remains between 8 and 13 worms starting from 1 worm, with
an average of 10 from 1 in 3 months.
REPRODUCTION TABLE
|
1 worm |
1 cycle of 3 months
|
10 worms after 3
months |
|
1 worm |
4 cycles of 3 months
|
10x10x10x10=10.000 per
year |
About vermicompost production the rates are shown in the next table
considering averages such as : 1 adult worm with a weight of 1 gr,
feeds its weight per day ,it means 1gr, it excrets the 60% like humus or
wormcompost , it means 0,6gr.
PRODUCTION TABLE
|
0 month |
up to 3 months |
up to 6 months |
up to 9 months |
up to 12 months |
|
initial stock of worms |
1*generation |
2*generation |
3*generation |
4*generation |
|
1000 |
10.000 |
100.000 |
1.000.000 |
10.000.000 |
|
worms 1kg |
10 |
100 |
1.000 |
10.000 |
|
food= 1kg/day |
10 |
100 |
1.000 |
10.000 |
|
Vermicompost 0,6kg /day |
6 |
60 |
600 |
6.000 |
|
protein 0,04kg/day |
0,4 |
4 |
40 |
400 |
1.Humidity: From the beginning 70% up to 40% the
end to facilite feeding and make easier
sliding trough the material, without reaching overflowed levels
in which the material decays itself owing to the unaerate fermentation and
worms death as a consequence.
2.Ventilation: you must air beds for a right normal
development and breathing through worm skin and owing to the fault of
air it will be a vermicompost delay just because of the restrictions
caused by compacting on breeding, sliding , matting and/or
reproduction.
3.Temperature: best status 12-25 C. To increase worms 20-25 C and to
cocoons development 12-15 C.
4.
pH: best status 7
5.Water: high levels on salt contents in water don't necessary help
cocoons production, however Na salts results toxic to vegetals devaluating
vermicompost.
The consequences are: missing or bad composted food (adequate
balance of N, C o hydrates of carbon, P, K y vitamins and others) or
predators presence(ants, toads, birds), obtaining low results in
production and money loss.
Worms high devouring ability joined to explosive
increase.
Since worms are born they can feed themselves when humedity and
compost are favorable. Worms open their mouth and introduce food at the
same time they are sliding into the soil.
Worms possess both male and female genitals, exchanging esperm and
liberating cocoons in a frecuency of 1 each 7 o 10 days, conteining 3 to
20 eggs (according to better or worse ambiental conditions) protected by a
viscous substance elaborated by each of them. 25 to 30 days will be enough
for incubation and 60 to 70 days to mature and to be in conditions of
mating.
Worms reproduction cycle takes place 4 times a year: from a single
worm you obtain 10.000 descendants in 1 year.
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