The growth and reproduction of Lumbricus rubellus and Dendrobaena rubida in cow manure mixed cultures with Eisenia andrei

The growth and reproduction of the epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus and Dendrobaena rubida in cow manure and the possible interactions of these species with Eisenia andrei are studied. The mean growth rate of D. rubida was 3.84 mg day(-1), reaching sexual maturity at 54 days and producing an average of 1.45 cocoons per week. After collection, 85% of the cocoons of this species were viable, incubation took an average of 21.7 days and an average of 1.67 worms emerged from each cocoon. The mean growth rate of L. rubellus was 8.02 mg day(-1), maturing at 74 days and with a mean weekly production of 0.54 cocoons. After an incubation period of 36.5 days, 64% of the cocoons hatched, one worm emerging from each. The mixed cultures tested did not present any advantage over pure cultures. E. andrei showed higher growth rates in mixed cultures, while the growth rate of L. rubellus and D. rubida decreased slightly in mixed cultures as compared to pure cultures.