Desempenho produtivo de minhocas violetas do Himalaia (Perionyx escavatus) em diferentes substratos

Abstract

The use of organic fertilizers from the creation of earthworms is a viable economic alternative due to its low cost of production and reutilization of inputs generated in agricultural properties. Today there is an increasing need to develop technologies and practices capable of minimizing the impacts caused by conventional agriculture. The minhocultura succeeds through vermicomposting to bring a simple, easy-to-access and implantation alternative for farmers. This work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the development and productivity of the species Perionyx escavatus in different substrate types. A completely randomized design with three treatments (ox manure, rabbit manure and food residues), four replicates and 100 grams of earthworm per experimental unit was used. The parameters of final worm weight, weight difference, number of earthworms, number of worms born, final weight of the substrate and percentage of substrate reduction were evaluated. The treatment in which bovine manure was used presented the best results for the development of himalayan violet earthworms, together with the rabbit manure that resulted in better substrate transformation in humus.