Productivity potentials and nutritional values of semi-arid zone earthworm (Hyperiodrilus euryaulos; Clausen, 1967) cultured in organic wastes as fish meal supplement

In the present study 60 Adult Earthworms (H. euryaulos) of weight and length range 1.7-3.0 g (mean-2.34 +/- 0.91 g) and 13.0-28.0 cm (mean-21.5 +/- 5.8 cm), respectively were cultured for 12 weeks. The productivity potential and nutrient composition of earthworm (H. euryaulos) cultured in two rearing substrata (Cellulose Substrate (Control)--Coded Hs1 and Dry Neem and leaves and soil Substrate--Coded Hs2) were assessed using six wooden boxes stocked in triplicates at the rate of 92.7 g earthworms per box. The higher total final weight, weekly weight gain, relative growth rate, specific growth rate and survival of 400.6 g kg(-1) of substrate, 25.7 g/week/substrate, 332.5, 0.76/day and 99.0% while the lower of 367.5 g kg(-1) of substrate, 22.9 g/week, 296.4, 0.71/day and 98.0% were recorded in earthworm cultured in cellulose substrate and the soil substrate respectively. The proximate analyses, mineral compositions and amino acids indices were comparable to those of conventional fish meal. Based on the results of this study, the utilization of cellulose substrate is recommended for the culture of earthworm and the inclusion of the earthworm meal is guarantee as a reliable and nutritional dependable fish meal supplement.