J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2015: Vol.

29 (2):297-299
(297) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

EFFECT OF EARTHWORM METAPHIRE POSTHUMA (MEGASCOLECIDAE) IN NUTRIENT

DYNAMICS AND GROWTH OF CROP
Nirupama Dalakoti* and B.R. Kaushal
Department of Zoology, DSB Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand. 263002, India
[Corresponding author E-mail*: nirupamadalakoti@gmail.com]

Received: 31-08-2015 Revised: 13-10-2015 Accepted: 14-11-2015

Effect of earthworm, Metaphire posthuma on nutrient dynamics and plant growth was studied in the laboratory. Two treatments
were applied: "a control treatment" without earthworms and "an earthworm + soil treatment" were selected for wheat and maize
crop with five individuals of M. posthuma. The experiment was run in five replicates in earthen pots filled with 2 kg of wet field soil.
Significant variation in the nutrient status between treatments (with worms) and control (Devoid of worms) was recorded. The
average root length and average shoot length (in cm) of wheat plants in "soil + earthworm" habitat showed an increase of 44% and
12%, respectively compared to root and shoot of control pot. Similarly, the average root length and average shoot length (in cm) of
maize plants in "soil + earthworm" habitat showed an increase of 42% and 27%, respectively compared to root and shoot length
measured from control pot. The weight and length of wheat pod and maize fruit also showed an increase compared to control
experiment. This experiment evidently proves that the plant growth is significantly affected by introduction of earthworms.

Soil organisms are known to affect plant growth by enhancing
mineralization of soil organic matter and modifying physical
and chemical properties of soil within soil organisms,
earthworms are in term of biomass and activity among the
most important detritivores in terrestrial ecosystems1-2.
Earthworms play a vital role in plant growth. Earthworms are
one of the most important groups of soil animals involved in
decomposing litter and incorporating plant residues in the upper
soil horizons. The activity of earthworm has been shown to
enhance plant yield because of their beneficial effect on soil
properties3-5. It's also proved that effect of earthworm increases
the nutrient composition in plant tissues6. In the present study,
we investigated the effect of earthworm on change in properties
of the soil and plant growth in earthworm casts. Metaphire
posthuma was selected for the present study because this
species is abundant in the study site.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The soil collected from agricultural field at Pantnagar near
Nainital (29º 55'N and 79º 40'E; altitude 233m) contains 53.2%
sand, 35.5% silt and 11.2% clay. The soil was air dried, crushed
and sieved through 2mm sieve to remove earthworms, other
soil fauna and fragments of grasses. Air dried soil was placed
into earthen pots (25 cm diameter and 20 cm deep). Adults of
Metaphire posthuma were collected from the study site and
cultured in the laboratory in the same soil.
For analyzing the effect of Metaphire posthuma on plant growth,
NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20
two treatments were applied; "control treatment" without
earthworms, and a plus "earthworm treatment" with five
clitellates individuals 60-70 days old having an average fresh
weight (with gut contents) in the range of 4.64 to 6.77 g per
pot. Earthen pots (26 cm diameter, 25 cm height) were filled
with sieved soil brought from the site. All pots were maintained
at 20-25ºC and 25-30% soil moisture. Five seeds of maize
and wheat were sown per pot; after three weeks, two plants
were maintained per pot.
The plants were harvested after three months and shoot and
root weights were determined.
Casts of earthworms were analysed to determine pH by a
digital pH meter, Organic C by wet oxidation method and P by
the wet ashing method7. N was determined by Kjel- auto Vs-
KTP Nitrogen Analyzer based on micro Kjeldahl technique. K
was determined by flame photometry.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Mean pH of the casts (7.54) was not significantly different
from the soil (7.78). Organic Carbon showed increase of 56%,
Nitrogen 60%, Phosphorous 30% and Potassium 20% in
laboratory produced casts compared to "control treatment"
soil. C:N ratio of cats produced under laboratory experiments
(58.33) was lower than that of filed soil (80.95).
The results of crop growth experiment showed that compared
to the "control", dry weight yield were higher in the "earthworm
 EFFECT OF EARTHWORM METAPHIRE POSTHUMA (298)

Table-1. Nutrient concentration in soil as affected by M. posthuma (± SE).

Table-2. Effect of M. posthuma on growth of wheat and maize (± SE).

treatment" for both the crops. (Table-2).
In wheat crop for the "soil + earthworm treatment", an increase
of 43.9% in root length, 11.6% in shoots length, 17% in root
weight and 44% in pod weight was observed than that of control
(Table-2.) Pod length and weight of shoot was also higher (8.9%
and 6.2%, respectively) for the "soil + earthworm treatment"
in comparison to the control (Table-2).
Similarly, in maize crop for the "soil + earthworm treatment",
an increase of 42.3% in root length, 27.2% in shoots length,
36.3% in root weight and 33.3% in cob weight was observed
than that of control (Table-2). Pod length and weight of shoot
was also higher (74.6% and 36.4%, respectively) for the "soil
+ earthworm treatment" in comparison to the control (Table- 2).
Earthworm activities affected the amount of dry matter produced
(16.5% to 35.9%); N contents of the soil increased by 60%
through casts more in comparison with "without earthworm
treatment" in the present study.
Previous studies have attributed the beneficial effects of
(299) DALAKOTI AND KAUSHAL

earthworms and/ or other macrofauna on plant growth to the 5. Lee, K.E. (1985). Earthworms, their ecology and relationships
ability of earthworms to : influence the soil physical with soils and land use. In: Academic Press, Australia.
environment; increase the incorporation of organic matter; 6. Stefan Scheu (2002). The 7 th International Symposium on

increase the availability of plant nutrients in soil; and increased
7.
yield2-3, 8-15. The impact of soil macrofauna on increased tea
production is clearly explained by some earlier researchers16.
8.
It is thus concluded from plant growth data that M. posthuma 9.
not only increases soil chemical fertility as a result of the 10.
incorporation of organic matter but that nutrients are also made
Earthworm Ecology, Cardiff, Wales, Submitted September.
Baker, G.H., Williams, P.M.L., Carter, P. J. and Long N.R. (1995).
Soil Biol. and Biochem., 29: 3.
Gilot, C. (1997). Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 29: 353.
Syers, J.K. and Springett, J.A. (1984). Plant and Soil. 76: 93.
Baker, G.H., Willamas, P.M.L, Carter, P.J. and Long N.R. (1995).
Soil Biol. and Biochem., 29:3.

available during gut transit. Earthworms are now greatly relied 11. Khomami, M. A. and Zadeh, M. M. (2013). International Journal
of Agriculture and Crop Sciences. 6(7): 361.
for increase in crop yield in the intensive agriculture system.
12. Mayilswami, S. and Reid, B. (2010). 19th World Congress of Soil
Commercial production of earthworms started to gain popularity
Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 50.
now-a-days due to various studies which proved the efficiency
13. Palacios, P.G., Maestre, F. T. and Bradford, M.A. (2014). Soil
of earthworms. From the current experiment, it is concluded
Biology and Biochemistry. 78: 182.
that earthworms play vital role in altering the nutrient 14. Pashanasi, B., Lavelle, P., Alegre, J. and Charpentier, F. (1996).
composition in soil and promote plant growth. The earthworm Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 28: 801.
activities clearly accelerate the nutrient release and sequential 15. Stephens, P.M. and Davoren, C. W. (1995). Soil Biol. Biochem.,
uptake of nutrients. 28: 561.
16. Senapati, B. K., Lavelle, P., Panigrahi, P.K., Giri, S. and Brown,
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