Hartenstein R, Neuhauser EF, Kaplan DL (1979) Reproductive potential of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Grant WC (1955) Studies on moisture relationships in earthworms. Graff O (1974) Gewinnung von Biomasse aus Abfallstoffen durch Kultur des Kompostregenwurms Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826). On the life cylces of some British Lumbricidae. Chapman and Hall, LondonĮvans AC, Guild WJ McL (1948) Studies on the relationships between earthworms and soil fertility.

Pedobiologia 11:417–424Įdwards CA, Lofty JR (1977) Biology of earthworms. The onset of cocoon production was, however, earliest at slightly lower moisture levels, from which it is concluded that the optimal moisture level for growth and development of clitella are not necessarily optimal for the production of cocoons.Ībrahamsen G (1971) The influence of temperature and soil moisture on the population density of Cognettia sphagnetorum (Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae) in cultures with homogenized raw humus. The study also showed that clitellum development was increased at moisture levels above 64%. Furthermore, the relation between cocoon mass and the production rate of cocoons was also determined, which showed that cocoon mass increased concomitantly with increase in cocoon production. A clear relationship between mass of cocoons and biomass of the producing worms was established at presumably favourable moisture conditions. The change in biomass of clitellate specimens as well as their consecutively produced cocoons were monitored at different moisture levels. Growth studies of newly hatched worms at various moisture levels over a period of 90 days showed that growth rate and final biomass were influenced by moisture availability with a very low rate of growth at low as well as at high moisture levels.

The clitellate worms showed a wider preference range than the juveniles but deposited most of their cocoons within the narrow range of 65%–70% moisture - a moisture range preferred by 80% of the juveniles. The moisture preferences of juveniles as well as adults of this species were determined in moisture towers containing cow manure with a particle size bigger than 500 and smaller than 1000 μm and an organic matter content of 54%. Although moisture requirements of Eisenia fetida are considered to be generally known, very few in-depth studies have been performed.

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