Abstract
Earthworms, as ecosystem engineers (Jones et al. 1994), are important soil components capable of enhancing plant growth (Lee 1985; Brown et al. 1999; Scheu 2003). Searching their inoculation in managed lands, we cultured three tropical endogeic earthworm species (Balanteodrilus pearsei, Pontoscolex corethrurus and Lavellodrilus bonampakensis) in mesocosms (boxes of 35×28×13 cm) and controlled conditions (27±0.2°C temperature and 33% moisture) with 1.5% Mucuna pruriens var. utilis-enriched soil. The experiment was conducted during 150 days. B. pearsei produced the highest fresh mass (311±7.2 gm-2) as a consequence of the high earthworm density production (1062±28 ind m-2). The highest organic matter content in casts was observed with P. corethrurus and B. pearsei species (5.4±0.12 and 4.2±0.4% respectively), 26-30% higher than the noningested substrate.
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