Earthworm Research Articles

Evaluation of the efficiency of remediation of Cd contaminated soil by earthworm based on the rate of Cd reduction in wheat grain and changes in Cd bioavailability in soil experiment

Evaluation of the efficiency of remediation of Cd contaminated soil by earthworm based on the rate of Cd reduction in wheat grain and changes in Cd bioavailability in soil experiment

Impact of pesticide monocrotophos on microbial populations and histology of intestine in the Indian earthworm Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

Soil contamination has enlarged over the decades due to intensive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agronomy. Earthworms are significant organisms in the soil community. Earthworms are the major role in soil fertility in most ecological system and the production of biogenic structures. Moreover, earthworm gut mucus enhances the beneficial soil microorganism potential biological activities. They are used as model organisms for assessing the ecological risks of chemicals. Enrichment of essential nutrients in soil through earthworm is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. In India, the organophosphorus pesticide monocrotophos is commonly used to control agricultural pests. Hence, it is important to study the effect of monocrotophos on the gut microbiota in Lampito mauritii. A 15-day exposure to a low (1/10th of the LC50 after 96 h i.e., 0.093 ppm kg−1) and high sublethal concentration (1/3rd of the LC50 after 96 h i.e., 0.311 ppm kg−1) of monocrotophos led to reduced proliferation of the gut microbiota in L. mauritii. However, exposure for 30 days led to a recuperation of the microbial populations to near control values. Among the eight bacterial and five fungal species that inhabit the gut of L. mauritii, only six bacterial and three fungal species were able to survive after exposure to monocrotophos. In addition to the study, histopathological changes were observed in the intestine of L.mauritii after application of lower sublethal concentration of monocrotophos. Severe pathological changes such as vacuolization, degenerated nuclei, damaged villi and congestion of the blood sinuses were noticed in the intestine on 1st and, 5th day of the experiment. But in 30th day the damages were slowly recovered due to degradation of monocrotophos by the presence of some pesticides degrading bacterial and fungal species and regenerative capability of chloragogen cells in the intestine. The results suggested that reduced microbial populations and pathological damages in intestine were observed during the application of monocrotophos. So, the monocrotophos have several harmful impacts on earthworms.

(DCNN) Deep Convolution Neural Network Classifier and (EW-CSA) Earth Worm-Crow Search Algorithm for Lane Detection

Every year in India, most of the car accidents are occurs and affects on number of lives. Most of the road accidents are occurs due to driver’s inattention and fatigue. Drivers require to focus on different circumstances, together with vehicle speed and path, the separation between vehicles, passing vehicles, and potential risky or uncommon events ahead. Also the accident occurs due to the who bring into play cell phones at the same time as driving, drink and drive, etc. Due to this, most of the companies of automobiles tries to make available best Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to the customer to avoid the accidents. The lane detection approach is one of the method provided by automobile companies in ADAS, in which the vehicle must follows the lane. Therefore, there is less chance to get an accident. The information obtained from the lane is used to alert the driver. Therefore most of the researchers are attracted towards this field. But, due to the varying road circumstances, it is very difficult to detect the lane. The computer apparition and machine learning approaches are presents in most of the articles. In this article, we presents the deep learning scheme for identification of lane. There are two phases are presents in this work. In a first phase the image transformation is done and in second phase lane detection is occurred. At first, the proposed model gets the numerous lane pictures and changes the picture into its relating Bird's eye view picture by using Inverse perspective mapping transformation. The Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) classifier to identify the lane from the bird’s eye view image. The Earth Worm- Crow Search Algorithm (EW-CSA) is designed to help DCNN with the optimal weights. The DCNN classifier gets trained with the view picture from the bird’s eye image and the optimal weights are selected through newly developed EW-CSA algorithm. All these algorithms are performed in MATLAB. The simulation results shows that the exact detection of lane of road. Also, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are calculated and its values are 0.99512, 0.9925, and 0.995 respectively.

Vermicompostos como substratos no desempenho de mudas de alface e rúcula

Uma das razões para obter sucesso na horticultura é a produção de mudas de qualidade, utilizando substratos em substituição do solo na formação de mudas. Desse modo, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho de mudas de alface e rúcula utilizando substratos produzidos com vermicompostos juntamente com a serragem e casca de arroz como agentes condicionantes. Foram realizados dois experimentos em Vilhena, Rondônia, utilizando o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2 com sete repetições, correspondendo a três substratos e duas cultivares, tanto para alface quanto para rúcula. A proporção dos materiais foi de 1:3 do volume total de solo, de esterco de aves e agente condicionante, sendo utilizada a minhoca Vermelha Californiana (Eisenia foetida). Para as cultivares, tanto de alface quanto de rúcula, foram avaliadas a altura de plântulas, diâmetro do colo, massa seca da parte aérea, das raízes e total. Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os tratamentos avaliados em relação a massa seca das raízes de alface da cultivar Crespa, porém para a cultivar Americana, os tratamentos utilizando vermicomposto com agente condicionante a serragem ou casca de arroz, foram superiores ao substrato comercial em relação a massa seca das raízes. Entre as cultivares de rúcula, não foi observado diferença significativa entre os tratamentos sobre as variáveis avaliadas. Portanto, é possível concluir que os substratos produzidos a partir de vermicompostos com serragem e casca de arroz como agentes condicionantes, podem substituir o substrato comercial durante a produção de mudas de alface e rúcula.

Feeding habits and length-weight relationship of giant marbled eel Anguilla marmorata in the Brayeun River, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Information on the feeding habit and length-weight relationship are crucial for fisheries management. Hence, the objective of the present study was to examine the feeding habit and length-weight relationships of the giant marbled eel Anguilla marmorata harvested from Brayeun River, Leupung sub-district, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The survey was conducted from March to June 2017 (Rajab to Ramadhan 1438 Hijri Calendar). The sampling was done four times a month for three months on a dark night at new and old moons according to of lunar cycle (Hijri Calendar) for three months. A total of 38 eels were caught during the study and stomach content analysis showed that crabs and shrimp were the main food items for eel A. marmorata, while earth worms was a complementary food. This finding is indicating that A. marmorata is carnivorous. In addition, the length-weight relationship revealed that giant marbled eel had an allometric positive growth pattern, and the condition factors indicate the rivers are still in optimum condition and support fish life.

Earthworm Diversity in Laterite and Regur Soil of Deccan Trap of Hyderabad–Karnataka Region, Karnataka, India

Earthworm survey was conducted across Bidar district that contains solidified lava and forms the part of Deccan trap of Hyderabad–Karnataka Region. Earthworm samples along with their habitat soil were collected by digging and hand sorting method from the selected spots like gutter, garbage, near bore well, near tap, garden, pasture, drainage system and fields. Ten different species of earthworms were identified viz., Eudrilus eugeniae of the family EUDRILIDAE; Lampito mauritii and Perionyx sansibaricus of the family MEGASCOLECIDAE; Dichogaster bolaui, D. modiglianii, Eudichogaster ashworthi, E. prashadi, E. poonensis, Octochaetona beatrix and O. paliensis of the family OCTOCHAETIDAE. Among these the genus Eudichogaster is found to be the most dominant and widely distributed earthworm in Bidar district. Eudichogaster poonensis is reported for the first time from South India. Soil chemical characteristics of their habitat were pH 6.7–8, electrical conductivity (EC) 0.28–1.16 mohs/cm, organic carbon (OC) 0.75–3.54%, nitrogen (N) 25.2–118 kg/acre, phosphorous (P) 6.6–48.8 kg/acre and potassium (K) 79–354 kg/acre. Earthworms inhabiting in the laterite soil showed wider range in the soil chemical characteristics, pH ranged from slightly acidic to alkaline; whereas earthworms inhabiting in regur soil of this region showed narrow range in the soil chemical characteristics.

Earthworm Population in Relation to Different Agro Climatic Regions of Wayanad District of Kerala

Among the numerous microorganisms in the soil, earthworms play an important role in the formation and maintenance of soil structure and fertility by altering the physical, chemical and biological properties. A study was conducted in Wayanad district during 2017 to 2018 to collect and identify the earthworm species present in three agro climatic regions of Wayanad. A total of 30 samples were collected from Wetland, upland and an evergreen forest. A total of 15 earth worm species were identified and among this two species were new to Wayanad, the Dravida thomasi and Amynthas corticis.

Multilane Detection Entropy-Based Fusion Model by using Iterative Seed and Optimized Deep Convolutional Neural Network

In today’s world, the conditions of road is drastically improved as compared with past decade. Most of the express highways are made up of cement concrete and equipped with increased lane size. Apparently speed of the vehicle will increase. Therefore there are more chances for accidents. To avoid the accidents in recent days driver assistance systems are designed to detect the various lane. The detected information of lane path is used for controlling the vehicles and giving alerts to drivers. In this paper the entropy based fusion approach is presents for detecting multi-lanes. The Earth Worm- Crow Search Algorithm (EW-CSA) which is based on Deep Convolution Neural Network(DCNN) is utilized for consolidating the outcomes. At first, the deep learning approaches for path location is prepared using an optimization algorithm and EW-CSA, which focus on characterizing every pixel accurately and require post preparing activities to surmise path data. Correspondingly, the region based segmentation approach is utilizing for the multi-lane detection. An entropy based fusion model is used because this method preserved all the information in the image and reduces the noise effects. The performance of proposed model is analyzed in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, providing superior results with values 0.991, 0.992, and 0.887, respectively

Effect of Glyphosate on the Activities of Antioxidase Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterases in Vivo Earthworm

Effect of Glyphosate on the Activities of Antioxidase Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterases in Vivo Earthworm

Biochemical- and neuro-toxicity of silver nanoparticle and silver nitrate in soil to Aporrectodea calginosa earthworms

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now widely used in many industry applications. Because there are no regulations on discharge limits, improper discharge of waste from these industries can lead to environmental contamination and damage to ecosystem organisms. In this study Aporrectodea caliginosa earthworms were exposed to 0 (control), 0.3, 3, 30, 300 mg/kg Ag as AgNPs and 0, 0.03, 0.3, 3, 10 mg/kg of Ag as AgNO3 in soil for 4 weeks and select biochemical and neurotoxicity studies were conducted weekly. The lipid peroxidation (measured using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S transferase, lipid peroxidation), and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the medial giant fibers (MGF) using a novel non-invasive electrophysiological technique were measured in earthworms weekly. The TBARS and antioxidant enzyme activities were elevated by both AgNO3 and AgNPs and this was most evident in earthworms at 4 weeks >3 > 2 > 1. In neurotoxicity studies, MGF NCV progressively decreased in A. caliginosa exposed to both AgNPs and AgNO3. The findings highlight oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects of Ag compounds on earthworms and the importance of government authorities to have legislations in place to prevent excessive soil contamination by AgNPs produced by the expanding nanotechnology industries.

Production of biosurfactant from agro-industrial waste by Bacillus safensis J2 and exploring its oil recovery efficiency and role in restoration of diesel contaminated soil

Abstract In this study, biosurfactant production by Bacillus safensis J2 in submerged fermentation employing agro-industrial waste (bagasse) as a sole carbon source was examined. Biosurfactant produced was characterized to predict its properties and stability to various environmental stresses. Further, the strain and its extracted biosurfactant was used in oil recovery operation and in restoration of diesel contaminated soil. Findings suggest that bagasse of sugarcane may serve as an efficient substrate for cost-effective production of biosurfactant as 0.92 ± 0.06 g/L of biosurfactant by the strain was produced in 15 g bagasse. Stability studies indicate that properties of the biosurfactant were stable at various temperature and pH and have the efficiency to persist its emulsification activity at varying salt concentration. Oil recovery operation demonstrated that the biosurfactant is effective in recovering up to 46.5 % of the trapped oil from the sand pack column and acute earth worm toxicity test reveal that the soil treatment E5 (100 g soil + 10 g Bagasse + 250 ml distilled H 2 O + 10 ml diesel oil+ Strain J2+ 25 ml crude Biosurfactant) is effective in restoration and detoxification of diesel contaminated soil.

Comparative efficacy of two mycotoxins against Spodoptera litura Fab. And their non-target activity against Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb.

Entomopathogenic fungi are feasible and effective against the agricultural pest. In the current research we investigated the bioactive comparison of two widely accepted entmopathogens (Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae, (basionym)) against the Spodoptera litura (Fab.) through the assessment of larval tolerance and regulation of antioxidants and non-target impact on the earth worm, E. eugeniae, along with commercial pesticides. The entomopathogenic fungus exposure resulted in the modification of the levels of detoxification enzymes as well as significant increases in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity after exposure to the entomopathogenic fungus. Bioassay results showed that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae displayed larval mortality against third and fourth instars. Correspondingly, sub-lethal concentrations of B. bassiana showed development impairment as compared to M. anisopliae. Gut-histology revealed that mycotoxins dosage (4 × 105) showed significant changes in the midgut tissues as compared to control larvae. The non-target screening through artificial soil assay on the earth worm E. eugeniae, with mycotoxins B. bassiana (5 × 108 conidia/ml/kg) and M. anisopliae (5 × 108 conidia/ml/kg) showed less toxicity as compared to Monocrotophos (10 ppm/kg). Current results suggest that the fungal mycotoxins of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana significantly reduce the development of lepidopteran pests, while having only lesser impact on beneficial earthworms.

One dimensional photonic crystal as an efficient tool for in-vivo optical sensing of neural activity

In this paper, we recorded optically the neural/neuromuscular activity of alive worm via phase-sensitive measurement while stimulating it optically using infrared laser. By supporting Tamm plasmon mode, our fabricated multilayer structure of Glass/(TiO2/SiO2)12/Au was used as a sensing platform. By fixing an earth worm to the gold side of the structure and using open optic measurements, the amplitude ratio (Ψ) and phase shift (Δ) of reflections under s- and p-polarized incident lights have been recorded for different frequencies and pulse duration of IR laser. By increasing the pulse duration to 17 m s, Δ and Ψ values of Tamm Plasmon Polariton resonance for different frequencies have been splitted considerably in a regular trend. We hope that the combination of plasmonics and Tamm plasmon mode can open new insights into non-invasive neural/neuromusular stimulation and recording.

Comparision between coelomocyte cells isolated from coelomic cavity of earth worm and leucocytes

Comparision between coelomocyte cells isolated from coelomic cavity of earth worm and leucocytes

Setal anomalies in the tropical earthworms Drawida willsi and Lampito mauritii exposed to elevated concentrations of certain agrochemicals: An electron micrographic and molecular docking approach

Abstract Setae are the functional organelle in the earthworms which act as anchors and thus are crucial for locomotion. Structural anomaly or loss of setae could result in significant functional loss in these animals. The present study reports novel observation on setal anomalies in two tropical earthworms, Drawida willsi and Lampito mauritii exposed to elevated concentrations of the agrochemicals, monocrotophos, glyphosate, urea, phosphogypsum (PG) and paper mill sludge (PMS) in soil. Three concentrations of monocrotophos (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 g/kg soil), glyphosate (0.1, 0.15, 0.2 g/kg soil), urea (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g/kg soil), PG (50, 100, 150 g/kg soil) and PMS (5, 10, 15 g/kg soil) were used as per recommended agricultural doses and the animals were exposed for 24 h in treated soils to observe their effects on the setae. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed various setal structural deformities in both the worms. Urea had the maximum deleterious impact relative to other test chemicals. Computational analysis indicated that the high binding affinity of urea with the chitin of setae was responsible for the maximum conformational changes in the later. Setal anomalies could be used as early signal markers to evaluate soil toxicity.

Evaluation of Nanotoxicity of Araucaria heterophylla Gum Derived Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Eudrilus eugeniae and Danio rerio

Metal nanoparticles found its application in most fields because of its different physiochemical properties. Although there are several methods for synthesis of nanoparticles, where green and biological synthesis of nanoparticles reduces the toxicity. These metal nanoparticles are not properly disposed to the environment. Thus, this study was focussed to evaluate the effects of Araucaria heterophylla mediated green synthesised silver nanoparticles on various in vivo models such as earth worm—Eudrilus eugeniae and zebra fish—Danio rerio. Even the biologically synthesised nanoparticles were showing negative impacts on these models. Silver nanoparticles was found to cause epithelial erosion and lipofucshin deposits on Eudrilus eugeniae, where it was causing erosion and structure deformation in guts of Danio rerio.

Impact of five different species of bamboo plantations on earthworm communities in West Tripura (India)

A field study undertaken in 5 different species of bamboo plantations in West Tripura revealed presence of 18 species of earthworms belonging to 4 different families viz Megascolecidae [Metaphire houlleti (Perrier), Kanchuria sp1, Lampito mauritii Kinberg, Amynthus alexandri (Beddard), Perionyx excavatus Perrier, Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant)], Octochaetidae [Eutyphoeus gigas Stephenson, Eutyphoeus comillahnus Michaelsen, Eutyphoeus orientalis (Beddard), Dichogaster bolaui Michaelsen, Lennogaster chittagongensis (Stephenson), Lennogaster yeicus (Stephenson), Eutyphoeus turaensis Stephenson and Octochaetona beatrix (Beddard)], Moniligastridae [Drawida assamensis Gates, Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen and Drawida papillifer papillifer (Stephenson) and Glossoscolecidae (Pontoscolex corethrurus Muller). One species E. comillahnus is restricted only to Tripura of India. Bamboo plantations were mostly dominated by endogeic (geophagous) species. Among the plantations B. polymorpha had the highest density (175 ind./m2) and biomass (75 g/m2) of the earthworms, whereas the highest earthworm diversity (Ĥ 1.67) was found in B. cacharensis plantation.

New Perspectives for the Use of Earthworms – Testing of Anesthetics

New Perspectives for the Use of Earthworms – Testing of Anesthetics

Potentiality of Indigenous Earthworms (Perionyx excavatus, Perrier and Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) in Managing Lignocellulosic Wastes for Organic Farming

The lignocellulosic wastes, cashew leaf litter (CLL) admixed with various animal dungscowdung (CD), sheepdung (SD) and horsedung (HD) have been subjected to vermicomposting by using indigenous earthworms, Perionyx excavatus and Lampito mauritii and to produce value added vermicompost. Four different combinations of each [100% dung alone, 3 : 1 (75% dung + 25% CLL), 2 : 2 (50% dung + 50% CLL) and 1 : 3 (25% dung + 75% CLL)] vermibeds were prepared for vermicomposting process. After 60 days, the vermicompost and worm-unworked normal compost were harvested and characterized and growth (biomass), reproductive performance of earthworms-cocoon production, hatchling number and recovery of vermicompost were also studied. The obtained results clearly showed that vermicompost from CLL admixed with CD at 2 : 2 ratio had lower pH, organic carbon, C–N ratio, C–P ratio, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and phenol content, and higher nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, dehydrogenase and humic acid content than the raw substrates and normal compost. Also pronounced and better earthworm activity was found in the above combination for both species. Hence organic farming practices using vermicompost promise an alternative to the existing practices and proved as a sustainable approach.

A Study on The Influence of Vermicompost on The Growth Parameters of Arachis hypogaea

In nutrition a new era is emerging that is characterized by search for dietary constituents that have benefits beyond those described to the macro and micro-nutrients. The use of chemical fertilizers, contributes largely depletion of fossil fuels, generation of carbon dioxide and contamination of water resource it leads to loss of soil fertility due to imbalance use of fertilizers that has adversely impacted agriculture productivity and causes of soil degradation. Compositing has been recognized as a low cost and environmentally sound process for treatment of many organic wastes. Vermicompost is the type of compositing that was studied on the growth parameters of Ground Nut plant (Arachis hypogaea. L). Vermicompost is a product delivered from the accelerated biological degradation of the organic waste by earth worm and microorganisms. Vermicompost chemical composition contains especially nitrates, exchangeable phosphorous, soluble potassium, calcium and magnesium than that of growth media. The study was mainly aimed on the plant growth and biochemical composition on the seedlings that was grown in difference composition of the vermicompost such as [10%-100%]. The biochemical analysis and enzyme assay shows variations in different concentration.