MONTHLY VARIATION IN THE POPULATION AND BIOMASS OF EARTHWORMS IN RELATION TO ECOLOGICAL FACTORS FROM CROPLAND SITE AT RANCHI, JHARKHAND

Abstract

Fluctuation of population density of the worms was assessed from a tropical cropland site at Ranchi for twenty months. The density of the worms was maximum in August 2008 and minimum in May 2008 respectively. Of the various factors studied rainfall, relative humidity, soil moisture, organic carbon and nitrogen content of the soil showed a significant positive correlation with the total worm density and biomass. Soil moisture content of the soil was considered to be the most important single factor responsible for the population fluctuation of the earthworms.