Effects of Owinema Bio-Preparation on Vermicomposting in Earthworm Ecological Boxes

This paper describes vermicomposting of kitchen organic waste with the use of Eisenia fetida earthworms in an ecological box. To control excessively proliferated Sciaridae in the box medium, an Owinema bio-preparation, which contains larvae of the nematode Steinernema feltiae, was used. The effect of this bioinsecticide on the earthworm population during vermicomposting of organic waste was assessed. It was found that the applied bio-preparation effectively limited the population of sciarids and also had a positive effect on the development of the earthworm population (it caused a significant increase in the number and biomass of mature and immature forms and cocoons produced (p 0.05)). The Owinema preparation also had a positive effect on the rate of organic waste vermicomposting

Using Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) for Utilization of Expansive Littoral Plants Biomass

This paper presents the results of the process of vermicomposting waste biomass of littoral plants Typha latifolia, Iris pseudacorus, Ceratophyllum demersum in vermireactors, with the use of earthworms Eisenia fetida. It was observed that E. fetida may be used for rapid utilization of pure I. pseudacorus and C. demersum waste, but using the technology presented in this paper and the assumed observation time, it was not possible to recycle T. latifolia waste. Vermicomposts obtained were characterized by higher N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content compared to the initial plant biomass. The content of Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb in vermicomposts did not exclude their application as a fertilizer. During vermicomposting of all littoral plants, the earthworm population was maintained up to day 70 of the experiment, with a slight decrease in their number (on average by 6%, p > 0.05), and since day 35, a significant loss in earthworm biomass was observed. The greatest loss of mean sum of biomass (49%, p 0.05) was noted in a group of earthworms utilizing T. latifolia. The earthworms reproduced, with the greatest mean number (and the sum of biomass) of cocoons observed in a group of earthworms processing C. demersum. These values were greater by 32% and 38% respectively (p 0.05), for the aforementioned characteristics of cocoons produced in the remaining experimental groups

Social participation and logistical elements of cemetery waste biofraction management

In the 21st century, waste is a growing problem and must be considered one of the essential elements of creating conditions for sustainable development. The article pays special attention to the biofraction of cemetery waste, and interviews with cemetery visitors made a possible determination of its place among other wastes produced in the cemetery. The willingness of cemetery visitors to participate in the logistics of the cemetery waste management system was also tested. The article also presents selected elements of cemetery waste management logistics. The system should consist of several subsystems. Subsystems of waste minimisation "at the source" and waste segregation, disposal, and secondary management were considered crucial. In addition to the logistics mentioned above, subsystems were proposed to include innovation in cemeteries, the biotechnology of composting/vermicomposting of the biofraction, and segregation on-site by those cleaning their graves. The cemetery biofraction represents a waste suitable for on-site management, increasing the potential for environmental, social, and economic savings. The issues under consideration are part of the problem of integrating the cemetery biofraction into the green recycling system in force in Europe. Logistics for management of other cemetery wastes (plastic, metal, glass, and paper), which require subsystems involving their long-distance transportation, should be limited at the level of purchase by cemetery users. From civic participation in the control of logistical improvements, the entire cemetery waste management system will gradually evolve

Community Structure of Lumbricidae in Permanent Grassland and Arable Land

Lumbricidae play a key role in the soil environment as “the ecosystem engineers”. They participate in all the categories of services pro¬vided by ecosystems. In agricultural areas, the conventional intensive farming practices have led to a significant decline in the biological diversity of soils including earthworms. In this study, we attempted to characterize the community structure of earthworms in permanent grassland and arable land of the Didactic & Experimental Station of Rzeszów University in Krasne near Rzeszów. Similar densities of earthworms were observed in the grassland and in the arable land (101.01 ± 18.03 ind. • m-2 and 82.12 ± 18.26 ind. • m-2, respectively) (p > 0.05) as well as a similar biomass of Lumbricidae (77.72 ± 15.30 g • m-2 and 54.34 ± 11.72 g • m-2) (p > 0.05). In the research, 7 species of earthworms were found in the permanent grassland and 6 representatives of Lumbricidae were identified in the arable land. The identified earthworms represented all three main morpho-ecological groups. The density and biomass of epi-endogeic earthworm L. rubellus and the anecic species of L. terrestris were shown to be higher (p < 0.05) in the grassland as compared to the arable land. In order to protect Lumbricidae and to sustain the beneficial role of earthworms in an ecosystem, it is necessary to monitor the negative changes in populations of earthworm species attributed to various farming practices

Life Cycle of the Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta Earthworms (Oligohaeta, Lumbricidae)

Earthworms can be used in the vermicomposting process. The success of the process depends on many factors, including the choice of the appropriate earthworm species. Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta are treated as "compost earthworms". They are characterized by a relatively short life cycle, relatively fast growth rate, efficient reproduction and a similar amount of organic matter processed, compared to species found in the natural environment. However, while analyzing their features in more detail, it can be seen that these two species differ. The aim of this study was to compare the selected features of the Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa) earthworm populations in an annual cycle. The mature specimens of E. fetida or D. veneta were put in groups into plastic boxes with soil. Populations were checked regularly by manual sorting of the medium. The earthworms and cocoons were cleaned, counted and weighed individually. Afterwards, the mature individuals were placed in appropriate containers, while the cocoons were separated from the starting populations. The earthworms were fed ad libidum on kitchen wastes every four weeks. The experiment was carried out under constant laboratory conditions for 52 weeks. The analysis of the studied populations confirmed that the tested species of earthworms differ from each other. After 52 weeks of the experiment, the sum of earthworm biomass was higher for D. veneta compared to E. fetida species (18.568 ± 1.867 g and 7.263 ± 1.786 g; p <0.01, respectively). This relationship was confirmed for the average body weight of earthworms (D. veneta: 0.912 ± 0.046 g; E. fetida 0.480 ± 0.006 g; t = 15.95, p <0.01) and cocoons (D. veneta: 0.032 ± 0.003 g, E. fetida 0.014 ± 0.001 g; t = 9.15, p <0.01)

New Perspectives for the Use of Earthworms – Testing of Anesthetics

Anesthetic drugs have been tested for years on rats, rabbits, dogs, cats and monkeys, which may raise ethical concerns. Researchers do not always pay attention to the possibility of using techniques of anesthesia, analgesia or euthanasia in relation to invertebrate animals. It has previously been shown that earthworms meet the requirements of laboratory animals, and being a good alternative to studies on vertebrates, may also be used as the first stage of testing anesthetics. Lethal concentrations of procaine and lidocaine for E. fetida and D. veneta were established using modified filter paper contact test. Using a modified method developed for testing anesthetics, mature earthworms (clitellate) both species were used to check the effectiveness of lidocaine and procaine in safe immobilizing of earthworms. The reactions of earthworms in contact with anesthetics were different. The possibility of using a higher concentration range of procaine and lidocaine for E. fetida than for D. veneta, as E. fetida demonstrated greater resistance to the stress caused by the action of chemical substances. The response to this stress varied and depended on the concentration used, however higher concentrations of anesthetics caused rapid body movements and discharge of the celomatic fluid as well as morphological changes observed after 48 hours. Procaine was not effective in immobilizing earthworms, but lidocaine proved effective in reversibly immobilizing both species. For E. fetida, lidocaine in concentrations of 1.4 and 1.6 at 95 and 90 min respectively resulted in full immobilization of animals, which then survived following 24h and 48h of recovery. For D. veneta, lidocaine in concentrations 1.3 and 1.4 during 40 min proved effective and safe to use, as all individuals survived following 24h and 48h of recovery

Waste from cemetery adornment of graves: Management and minimization

Cemetery waste accounts for only a small amount of municipal waste, but its collection and inadequate management are problematic. The purpose of this study was to identify problems in the operation and logistics of the waste management system through the eyes of the cemetery user and the body responsible for collecting this type of waste. The tradition of caring for and decorating gravestones is significant in the production of cemetery waste. Most waste is generated during the holiday of the dead. The problem is the lack of adequate regulations and a permanent system of cemetery waste management throughout Europe and, for example, Poland. These issues affect both visitors and cemetery managers. Success in logistics of sustainable cemetery waste management can come from canvassing the opinions of cemetery visitors and managers and dissemination of the principles of minimalism