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		Earthworm Biology and Production
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		Production The basic environmental factors which affect earthworm breeding, growth, and general health are: temperature, moisture, aeration, food material, and pH (acidity-alkalinity). Temperature Earthworms will die in freezing temperatures, so they protect themselves by moving to lower depths in growing-beds or soils. On the other hand. they will live and breed at temperatures up to about 85 or 90°F, and some species or strains will survive at 100°F in well-shaded moist locations. For commercial earthworm production, ideal temperatures for growth and activity range from 60 to 80°F. For intensive cocoon production and hatching, bed temperatures should be between 60 and 70°F. Moisture Earthworms require adequate moisture for growth and survival. Beds should be crumbly moist, not soggy wet. They should not be exposed directly to hot sunshine, because this may cause drying and heating which will adversely affect the worms and may stop reproduction. To enhance cocoon production after worms are fully established, the beds should not be sprinkled for several days or until the top 1 or 2 inches are barely moist. They should then be sprinkled sufficiently to restore them to their normal moisture content. Aeration Earthworms can live at relatively low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels, and can even survive submerged in water if the water contains dissolved oxygen. In the complete absence of oxygen, however, they may be adversely affected or may die. The oxygen may be depleted if the beds are kept soggy wet--under such conditions it is possible that anaerobic bacteria could produce toxic substances. pH (acidity-alkalinity) Earthworms will grow over a pH range of about 4.2 (acid) to 8.0 (alkaline) or higher. For commercial production, however, it is considered best to maintain the pH of beds around neutrality (pH 7.0). pH levels should be checked regularly with litmus paper or a pH kit, which is available in most feed stores. Lime (calcium carbonate) may be mixed with bedding material to correct acidity or to maintain a more favorable pH. Beds Frames for earthworm beds may be constructed of almost any convenient material, but lumber or concrete are generally used for larger beds; it is not necessary to have a bottom on them. For smaller operations, one could use half barrels of wood or steel, discarded refrigerators, washing machine tubs, or other large enough metal or wooden receptacles. If these containers have a solid bottom, holes should be provided for drainage. For better temperature control, the frames or containers should be partially buried in the soil. The worms can also be grown in pits in the ground or in row piles on the soil surface. Outdoor beds should be located in a well-shaded spot or under an open-shed roof. Indoor beds should be placed where there is adequate drainage and ventilation. A bed 8 feet long by 3 feet wide by 1 foot deep will accommodate about 100,000 bed-run earthworms, or approximately 25,000 mature breeders. While some growers consider these numbers excessive, such levels are recommended for forced breeding and increased production. The beds must be thinned out by harvesting about every 30 days or by dividing every 60 to 90 days. more...

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