Earthworms-Life cycle, compost and therapy

Vermitechnology is now being considered as an eco- friendly, user-friendly and cost-effective biotechnological tool for the conversion of decomposable organic waste into valuable organic manure,ensuring pollution abatement and sustainability in agriculture. In this monograph, all of them from my research work for the last 15 years, have been discussed on gut load, transit time and turnover of agroindustrial wastes by earthworms;microbial–enzymatic analysis in the gut and casts of earthworms; growth, reproduction and life cycle of earthworm ; micro and macro nutrients, enzymatic and microbial dynamic of vermicompost and its application on crops raised from different soil and the therapeutic value of earthworm. This monograph can be used as an under and post graduate text/reference book in Zoology, Botany, Life Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural and Engineering and also be useful to researches who are concerned with vermitechnology, solid waste management and pharmacology. I am to grateful to authorities of Annamalai University for their great permission to write the monograph and all the helps I received in my service.