Abstract
Rapidly growing Indian cities generate huge quantities of solid wastes on a daily basis. On account of enormous environmental implications the management of this organic solid waste has become a major problem. Heavy metal contamination due to dumping of contaminated solid wastes has been reported. Application of vermicomposting on a large scale for urban as well as rural waste disposal has been highlighted by research. This paper discusses the types of earthworms and their role in maintaining soil fertility, vermicomposting, soil erosion control and land reclamation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbasi SA, Ramasamy EV (1999) Anaerobic digestion of high solid waste. In: Proceedings of eighth national symposium on environment IGCAR, Kalpakkam, 20–22 July 1999, pp 220–224
Alvares C (1984) Agriculture and ecology. Sci Villages 79:4–5
Atiyeh RM, Dominguez J, Subler S, Edwards CA (2000) Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure processed by earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and their effects on plant-growth. Pedobiologia 44:709–724
Atiyeh RM, Arancon NQ, Edwards CA, Metzger JD (2001) The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and productivity of marigolds. Bioresour Technol 81:103–108
Atiyeh RM, Lee S, Edwards CA, Arancon NQ, Metzger JD (2002) The influence of humic acids derived from earthworms-processed organic wastes on plant growth. Bioresour Technol 84:7–14
Bandela NN, Babrekar MG, Jogdand OK, Kaushik G (2016a) Removal of copper from aqueous solution using local agricultural wastes as low cost adsorbent. J Mater Environ Sci 7(6):1972–1978
Bandela NN, Gmais S, Mehta T, Kaushik G (2016b) Heavy metal removal by isolates from domestic and industrial waste water. J Mater Environ Sci 7(12):4589–4595
Barley KP, Kleining CR (1964) The occupation of newly irrigated land by earthworms. Australian. J Sci 26:290
Basker A, Macgregor AN, Kirman JH (1993) Exchangeable potassium and other cations in noningested soil and casts of two species of pasture earthworms. Soil Biol Biochem 25:1673–1677
Bhawalkar US (1989). Vermiculture: A promising source of biofertilizers. Natn Sem Agril Biotech, March 7–8, Gujarat Agricultural University, Navsari, India
Bhawalkar US, Bhawalkar VU (1993) Vermiculture biotechnology. In: Thampan PK (ed) Organics in soil health and crop production. Peekay Tree Crops Development Foundation, Cochin, pp 69–85
Bhiday MR (1994) Earthworms in agriculture. Indian Farm 43(12):31–34
Bouche MB (1977) Strategies lombriciennes. Ecol Bull (Stocholm) 25:122–132
Brown GG (1995) How do earthworms affect micro-floral and faunal community diversity? Plant Soil 170:209–231
Chaoui HI, Zibilske LM, Ohno T (2003) Effects of earthworm casts and compost on soil microbial activity and plant nutrient availability. Soil Biol Biochem 35:295–302
Chaturvedi AS (1994) The chain of recycling. In: The Hindustan Times, August 14, p 10
Chaturvedi S, Chel A, Satya S, Kaushik G (2008) Viable tailored organic fertilizer alternatives from waste produced by bio-diesel extraction process – an addition in the value chain – ASME 2nd international conference on energy sustainability, 2008
Chaudhuri PS, Bhattacharjee G (2002) Cocoon production, morphology, hatching pattern and fecundity in seven tropical earthworm species – a laboratory based investigation. J Biosci 27(3):283–294
Daniel O, Anderson JM (1992) Microbial biomass and activity in contrasting soil materials after passage through the gut of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister. Soil Biol Biochem 24:465–470
Darwin C (1881) The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms with observation of their habits. Murray, London, p 326
Dash MC (1978) Role of earthworms in the decomposer system. Off print from Glimpses of ecology (Prof. R. Misra commemoration vol). International Scientific Publication, New Delhi, pp 309–406
Diaz-Burgos MA, Ceccanti B, Polo A (1992) Monitoring biochemical activity during sewage sludge composting. Biol Fert Soil 16:145–150
Edward CA (1998) The use of earthworms in the break down and management of organic wastes. In: Earthworm Ecology. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL, pp 327–54
Garcia C, Hernandez T, Costa F, Ceccanti C, Masciandaro G, Ciardi C (1993) A study of biochemical parameters of composted and fresh municipal wastes. Bioresour Technol 44:17–23
Ghilarow MS, Mamajev BM (1966) Uberdie ansteduling von regenwurmem in den artesisch bewasserten oasen der Wurste Kyst-Kum. Pedobiologia 6:197–218
Giraddi RS (2001) Method of extraction of earthworm wash, a plant promoter substance, souvenir and abstracts. A paper presented in silver jubilee celebrations of the Indian Society of Soil Biology and Ecology and VII national symposium on soil biology and ecology, U.A.S Bangalore, 7–9 Nov 2001, pp 66
Goswami B, Kalita MC (2000) Efficiency of some indigenous earthworms species of Assam and its characterization through vermitechnology. Indian J Environ Ecoplann 3:351–354
Grappelli A, Galli E, Tomati U (1987) Earthworm casting effect on Agaricus bisporus fructification. Agrochimica 21:457–462
Gundai B, Edwards CA (2003) The effect of multiple application of different organic wastes on the growth, fecundity and survival of Eisenia fetida (savigny) (Lumbricidae). Pedobiologia 47(4):321–330
Hidalgo P (1999) Earthworm castings increase germination rate and seedling development of cucumber. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Research Report 22:6
Ismail SA (1997) Vermicology – the biology of earthworms. Orient Longman Limited, Hyderabad
Julka JM (1986) Earthworms resources of India Proc. Nat. Sem. Org. waste utilization, Vermicomp. part B: verms and vermicomposting. Dash RC, Senapathi BK, Mishra PC (eds), pp 1–7
Kale RD (1994) Agro-waste composting through earthworms. Proc. National meeting on waste recycling. Centre of Scince for village, Wardha
Kale R (1995) Vermicomposting has a bright scope. Indian Silk 34:6–9
Kale RD (1998) Earthworms: nature’s gift for utilization of organic wastes. In: Edwards CA (ed) Earthworm ecology. Soil and water conservation society. Ankeny, Lowa St. Lucie Press, New York, pp 355–373
Karuna K, Patil CR, Narayanswamy P, Kale RD (1999) Stimulatory effect of earthworm body fluid (Vermiwash) on crinkle red variety of Anthurium andreanum Lind. Crop Res 17(2):253–257
Kaushik P, Garg VK (2003) Vermicomposting of mixed solid textile mill sludge and cow dung with the epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida. Bioresour Technol 90:311–316
Kaviraj B, Sharma S (2003) Municipal solid waste management through vermi-composting employing exotic and local species of earthworms. Bioresour Technol 90:169–173
Lavelle P, Martin A (1992) Small-scale and large-scale effects of endogeic earthworms on soil organic matter dynamics in soils of the humic-tropics. Soil Biol Biochem 12:149–1498
Lee KE (1985) Earthworms, their ecology and relationships with soil and land use. Academic, Sydney, pp 188–194
Lourduraj AC, Yadav BK (2007) Effect of organic manures applied to rice crop on microbial population and enzyme activity in post harvest soil. J Ecobiol 20(2):139–144
Mani D (1997) Organic farming and biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture. Yojna 41(9):26
Masciandaro G, Ceccanti B, Garcia C (1997) Soil agro-ecological management: fertirrigation and vermicompost treatments. Bioresour Technol 59:199–206
Masciandaro G, Ceccanti B, Ronchi V, Bauer C (2000) Kinetic parameters of dehydrogenase and inorganic fertilizers. Biol Fertil Soils 32(6):579–587
Mulongoy K, Bedoret A (1989) Properties of worm casts and surface soils under various plant covers in the humid tropics. Soil Biol Biochem 21:197–203
Muscolo A, Bovalo F, Gionfriddo F, Nardi S (1999) Earthworm humic matter produces auxin-like effects on Daucus carota cell growth and nitrate metabolism. Soil Biol Biochem 31:1303–1311
Ndegwa PM, Thompson SA, Das KC (2000) Effects of stocking density and feeding rate on vermicomposting of biosolids. Bioresour Technol 71:5–12
Neuhauser EF, Hartenstein R, Kaplan DL (1980) Growth of the earthworm Eisenia foetida in relation to population density and food rationing. Oikos 35:93–98
Orozco FH, Cegarra J, Trujillo LM, Roig A (1996) Vermicomposting of coffee pulp using the earthworm Eisenia foetida: effects on C and N contents and the availability of nutrients. Biol Fertil Soils 22:162–166
Ozores-Hampton M, Vavrina CS (2002) Worm castings: an alternative to sphagnum peat moss inorganic (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) transplant production. In: Michel FC, Rynk RF, Hoitink HAJ (eds). Proceedings of the international symposium on composting and compost utilization, Columbus, 6–8 June 2002, pp 105–113
Parle JN (1963) Micro-organisms in the intestines of earthworms. J Gen Microbiol 31:1–11
Parmelee RW, Crossley DA Jr (1988) Earthworm production and role in the nitrogen cycle of a no-tillage agroecosystem on the Georgia piedmont. Pedobiologia 32(5):355–361
Pashanasi B, Lavelle P, Alegre J, Chapenetier F (1996) Effect of the endogeic earthworm, pontiscolux corethrurus on soil chemical characteristics and plant growth in a low-input tropical agro ecosystem. Soil Biol Biochem 28(6):801–808
Patil SS, Kaushik G (2016) Heavy metal assessment in water and sediments at Jaikwadi Dam (Godavari river) Maharashtra, India. Int J Environ 5(2):75–88
Patil SS, Dhulap VP, Kaushik G (2016) Application of constructed wetland using Eichhornia crassipes for sewage treatment. J Mater Environ Sci 7(9):3256–3263
Piearce TG (1978) Gut contents of some lumbricid earthworms. Pedobiologia 18:153–157
Ranganathan LS, Cristopher (1994) Effect of vermicompost on soil fertility and response of horticultural crops. Crop Res 8(3):453–456
Ranganathan LS, Vinotha SP (1998) Influence of pressmud on the enzymatic variations in the different reproductive stages of Eudrilus eugineae. Curr Sci 74:634–635
Rani R, Srivastava OP (1997) Vermicompost: a potential supplement to nitrogenous fertilizer in rice nutrition. Int Rice Res Notes 22(3):30–31
Rao KJ, Shantaram MV (1994) Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils due to application of garbage. Indian J Environ Health 36(1):31–39
Ross DJ, Cairns A (1982) Effects of earthworms and ray grass on respiratory and enzyme activities of soil. Soil Biol Biochem 14:583–586
Ruz-Jerez BE, Ball PR, Tillmann RW (1992) Laboratory assessment of nutrient release from a pasture soil receiving grass or clover residues, in the presence or absence of Lumbricus rubellus or Eisenia fetida. Soil Biol Biochem 24:1529–1534
Saciragic B, Dzelilovic M (1986) Effect of worm compost on soil fertility and yield of vegetable crops cabbage leeks and sorghum hybrid yield. Agrohemija 3:343–351
Sagar DV, Naik SN, Vasudevan P (2002) Vermicomposting of kitchen waste and its effect on the quality and quantity of essential oil of Ocimum sanctum L. Proc Intl Composting and Compost Sci Symposium, Columbus: CD Rom
Santra SK, Bowmik KL (2001) Vermiculture and development of agriculture. Yojna 45:43–45
Senesi N, Saiz-Jimenez C, Miano TM (1992) Spectroscopic characterization of etal-humic acid-like complexes of earthworm- composted organic wastes. Sci Total Environ 117(118):111–120
Shivsubramanian K, Ganeshkumar M (2004) Influence of vermiwash on the biological productivity of marigold. Madras Agric J 91(4–6):221–225
Shuster WD, Subler S, McCoy EL (2000) Foraging by deep-burrowing earthworms degrades surface soil structure of a fluventic Hapludoll in Ohio. Soil Tillage Res 54:179–189
Singh J, Rai SN (1997) Earthworm farming and vermicomposting: a boon for sustainable agriculture. J Soil Biol Ecol 17(1):65–72
Stockdill SMJ, Cossens GG (1966) The role of earthworms in pasture production and moisture conservation. Proceeding of the New Zealand Grassland Association, pp 168–183
Subler S, Edwards CA, Metzer J (1998) Comparing vermicomposts and composts. Biocycle 39:63–66
Thimmaiah A (2001) Studies on biodynamic system and vermitechnology for sustainable agriculture. Ph.D Thesis, IIT Delhi
Tiwari SC, Tiwari BK, Mishra RR (1989) Microbial populations, enzyme activities and nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium enrichment in earthworm casts and in the surrounding soil of a pineapple plantation. Biol Fertil Soils 8:178–182
Todkari AA, Talashilkar SC (2001) Effect of vermiwash prepared by two methods on growth characteristics, yield and nutrition of three following plants. Souvenir and abstracts. A paper presented in silver jubilee celebrations of the Indian Society of Soil Biology and Ecology and VII national symposium on soil biology and ecology, U.A.S, Bangalore, 7–9 Nov 2001, pp 97
Tomati U, Grappelli A, Galli E (1988) The hormone-like effect of earthworm casts on plant growth. Biol Fertil Soils 5:288–294
Van Rhee JA (1969) Inoculation of earthworms in a newly drained polder. Pedobiologia 9:128–132
Van Rhee JA (1971) Some aspects of the productivity of orchards in relation to earthworms activity. Ann Zool Ecol 4:99–108
Vasudevan P (2001) Status reports on solid waste management by vermicomposting, UNICEF sponsored project
Werner M, Cuevas R (1996) Vermiculture in Cuba. Biocycle, vol 37, JG Press, Emmaus, pp 61–62
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Garg, P., Kaushik, G., Nagar, J.K., Singhal, P. (2018). Role of Earthworms in Managing Soil Contamination. In: Hussain, C. (eds) Handbook of Environmental Materials Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58538-3_162-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58538-3_162-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-58538-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-58538-3
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics