Comparing the ability of two earthworms species Dendrobaena veneta and Eisenia fetida in the production of vermicompost

Comparison of two species of earthworms involved in production of vermicompost from organic matter in municipal solid waste compost and cow dung were investigated. The T test results indicated that differences in nitrogen increases in both beddings by two species of earthworms were not significant. Total phosphorus in the final product of both bedding vermicompost was increased (p˂0.05). Meanwhile the difference between the two species of earthworm activity on phosphorus in manure vermicompost was not statistically significant but in urban waste vermicompost was significant (p˂0.05). Hence, Eisenia fetida has shown a better performance. There was no significant difference in the most number of the two species in cow dung bed statistically. The difference between the two species of earthworms in terms of the average number of cocoon is significant per day for each worm. Comparing reproduction parameters of two species of earthworms in compost bed show that although the differences between the two species in terms of the total number of cocoon, the average number of cocoon for each worm and the average number of cocoon for each worm per day are significant (p˂0.05) and Eisenia fetida exhibited better reproduction performance. Nevertheless, both species had no significant differences in mean of maximum number of studied species (p˂0.05). Comparatively results indicated that E. fetida has more growth rates and its replication cycle is shorter than that of D. veneta. In conclusion, species D. veneta have large biological similarities with species E. fetida. This convenient feature makes it possible to use this earthworm species in vermicomposting process.