Sains Malaysiana 43(2)(2014): 169–173
Optimal
Stocking Density for Culturing Tropical Soil-dwelling Earthworm,
Pontoscolex
corethrurus
(Kepadatan Optimum untuk Pengkulturan Cacing Tanah Tropika, Pontoscolex
corethrurus)
H.Y. KOK, A.A. NOR AZWADY*, K.E. LOH, M. MUSKHAZLI
& S.Z. ZULKIFLI
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra
Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Diserahkan:
12 Mei 2013/Diterima: 18 Mei 2013
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to determine the optimal
stocking density for culturing tropical soil dwelling earthworm, Pontoscolex corethrurus. F1 generation
earthworms were cultured in four different stocking densities of 1, 4, 7 and 10
worms per vessel, corresponding to field densities of 50, 200, 350 and 500
individuals per m2. Earthworms were kept under
laboratory conditions (25±2°C and 25% moisture) for the 14 weeks study
period. The results showed that at higher earthworm densities (>350
individuals per m2), the earthworm growth was
slower and sexual maturation was delayed as compared with their counterparts in
lower stocking density. With the high survival rate and parthenogenetic
reproduction mode, P. corethrurus could potentially be used as tropical
soil rehabilitation agent.
Keywords: Cocoon; culture; earthworm; stocking density
ABSTRAK
Kajian ini telah dijalankan untuk menentukan kepadatan optimum
pengkulturan cacing tanah tropika Pontoscolex corethrurus. Generasi pertama (F1)
cacing tanah dikultur dalam empat kepadatan berbeza, iaitu 1, 4, 7 dan 10
individu setiap bekas kultur, bersamaan dengan
kepadatan lapangan 50, 200, 350 dan 500 individu setiap m2. Cacing tanah dikultur dalam keadaan makmal (25±2°C dan 25% kelembapan) selama 14 minggu. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa dalam kepadatan yang tinggi
(>350 individu setiap m2), pertumbuhan P. corethrurus menjadi perlahan dan kematangan
seksual lebih lewat berbanding dalam kepadatan yang lebih rendah. Dengan kadar kemandirian yang tinggi dan bersifat
partenogenetik, P. corethrurus berpotensi digunakan sebagai agen
pemulihan tanah tropika.
Kata kunci: Cacing tanah; kepadatan; kokon;
pengkulturan
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*Pengarang
untuk surat-menyurat; email: azwady@upm.edu.my
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