Growth Potential and Weight Increment of Aporrectodea rosea (Sav.) in Substrates with Different Composition and Structure in the Context of Biological Soil Improvement

摘要

The effect of substrate structure and compaction on the weight increment of juvenile Aporrectodea rosea (Sav.) was studied under laboratory conditions. The maximum increment (51-76 mg/month) was observed in a mixture of the organic and mineral components of the substrate or in a substrate with the organic component (leaf litter) underlying the mineral layer (loam). The minimum increment (19-36 mg/month) was observed in the absence of either component or when the litter overlay the clay material. Fresh manure evenly distributed in the substrate or on its surface is toxic for the worms but could be consumed by them if buried. Compaction of the substrate from 0.78 to 1.11 g/cm~3 decreased the rate of A. rosea weight increment 2.5 times.