Geeta Jassal2017-01-022017-01-022010http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/94006The research problem entitled “GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF AN EPIGEIC EARTHWORM, Eisenia fetida, IN AGRICULTURAL WASTES” was carried out in the Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the period September 2008- September 2009. Growth and reproduction of E.fetida in deactivated pig slurry and corn cob along with Farmyard manure (FYM) in three ratios 1:1, 1:1/2 and 1:1/4 in three seasons were studied. Data was analysed by CRD i.e. ANOVA- I way and shortest life cycle of 50 days was observed in FYM and 41 days was observed in Pig manure in rainy seasons in all the three substrates in ratio 1:1 followed by summer and winter. Further analysis revealed that life cycle duration of E. fetida was shortest of 46 days in rainy season during substrate and seasons interactions in PM: FYM (CD at 5%= 2.49) was significant while life cycle was shortest in PM: FYM in ratio 1:1/2 during substrate and treatment interaction (CD at 5%= 2.20) was significant. Mean cocoon production (worm-1day-1) ranged from 0.45 to 0.86 in all the substrates. Adoption of vermiculture as a segment of organic farming was assessed through a questionnaire based survey in District Hoshiarpur and 73.3% of the farmers indicated that vermiculture was a labourious process. Reasons for opting for vermiculture were environmentalundertaking concerns, to save soil health, to enhance income, upliftment of the social status and health consciousness. Farmers gathered knowledge of vermin-technology through Progressive farmers, KVK’s of District Hoshiarpur, Directorate of Extension Education and Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI) PAU, Ludhiana. Results indicated that E. fetida has a higher rate of reproduction in PM: FYM in ratio 1: 1/2 and PM is a favoured substrate for growth and reproduction of E.fetida and there is a need to organize farmers into organic farming association which can initiate and work to train the farmers for its complete adoption of this segment towards attaining sustainable development.enbiological interaction, biological phenomena, proteins, antibiotics, diseases, inorganic compounds, enzymes, livestock, eggs, peptidesGROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF AN EPIGEIC EARTHWORM, Eisenia fetida, IN AGRICULTURAL WASTESThesis