A feasibility study of the culture of earthworms on cesspool slurry and the evaluation of their nutritive value for the catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) | |
| Author | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-84-21 |
| Subject(s) | Fishes--Feeding and feeds Earthworm culture |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources & Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The culture of earthworms on cesspool slurry as a source of protein for animals may provide a new dimension to recycling of urban human waste. The successfulness of the process depends on the quality of human waste, the preparation of beds with ample drainage and an of the earthworm species with a good growth rate. Pheretima elongata, a pheretemoid earthworm in Thailand grew from an initial weight of 0.04 g to 0.6 g within six months. The worms entered a rapid phase of growth approximately 0.4 g to 0.5 g in weight and grew up to 1.5 g within three months. This species may take at least one year to become mature with a relatively slow rate of growth. The optimum stocking density of worms ranged between 5 to 13 g/100 cm2. Agroindustry waste undergoing fermentation and high moisture of low moisture contents adversely affected the growth rate. The worms showed a relatively slow rate of reproduction producing approximately 6 young worms/adult/month. A feeding trial showed that the worms may provide adequate nutrition to support the growth of the catfish, Clarias Macrocephalus. The fish grew better when fed sliced fresh worm feed than with pelleted commercial feed. Considering the low growth and reproduction rates of P.elongata, utilization of this species as feed for a commercial venture may not be appropriate. |
| Year | 1984 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Edwards, Peter |
| Examination Committee(s) | Wee, Kok Leong ; Colman, John. A. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Kunota Company Limited. |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1984 |