A journey through the history of vermiculture

Overview
18.01.2013 15:52
The worm has always been linked to the development of mankind, but little has been done to recognize their qualities and contributions to production and environmental benefit. As we know, by studying CHARLES DARWIN was learned the importance of this.

Earthworms are divided into red and gray on the red numerous species, but only some of them capable of living in captivity as the Californian red worm and gray worms, common in our soils do not possess the ability to live in captivity, or to obtain a high rate of reproduction.

The Californian red worm evolved from the 50s in California (USA) in intensively reared worms. Since then through continued selection of the best specimens were obtained several types of red worms but only one could survive this kind of outdoor greenhouses without facilities. This is the hybrid red, commonly called Californian red worm.

The Californian red worm is now a culture in which there are opportunities for diversification, increasing incomes and farm productivity, as this species requires and uses his power in a number of resources usually unexplored.

Its cultivation is simple and can be implemented on a large scale as production companies and meal worm humus, that grow to large size or simply comprehensive intensification systems either in farms, small holdings or higher, both for animal feed the same holding as to produce humus for crop fertilizer, or sale of these products to third parties.

Zoological classification.

Earthworms belong to the class Annelida oligachaeta enforcement agencies comprising compounds elongated ring segments. They are hermaphrodites, sexual maturity is present by the appearance of clitelio is a white ring that makes up the organs of the animal played which is easily seen, indicating that the individual has reached reproductive age, the eggs are laid in sacs called cocoons or cocoons, yellow-green, which are located in different parts of the culture.

There are aquatic and terrestrial worms comprising over two thousand species. Most of them are used in crops within families lombricidas Megascolecidae. They feature live and feed on shallow soils. Its reddish color is generally due to the presence of porphyrins in the cuticle, which protects against the sun, eating habits in the surface layers predispose to predation and adverse environmental conditions, so it has developed very high reproductive rates. This makes controlled crops amazing multiplication is achieved, unlike native earthworms are not provided for this type of farming system, both because it has low rates of multiplication and its behavior, and leaving the crop site ease.

The worm is grown species: Eisenia PHOETIDA, which has shown excellent performance in all aspects. In cultures are often found native earthworms, which arrive by attraction to the medium, which is favorable to some species. The presence of these incidents have not or affect the Californian red worm, as their production rates are very low.

Main species of earthworms used for cultivation.

Family                             Species

Eugenia Eodrilus              Megascolecidae

Perionyx                         excavatus

Pheretima                      Hayayana

Asian                             Pheretima

Lumbricidae                   eisenia phoetida

Lumbricus                      rubellus

USE Californian red worm.

The tactics of the worm farm, becomes relevant in recent years as a means of environmental decontamination, using biodegradable materials, which becomes vermicompost, adding value to the final use as a soil amendment or as input for crop production.

Soil improver:

Direct incorporation of earthworms in soil or improve its conditions with humus. The proper management of these increases the existing population and attract new species. All soil rich in earthworms has potential for improvement.

Production of humus:

There are commercial and medium and large scale, which grow earthworms to produce compost is used as fertilizer. This activity is carried out on a large scale in Spain, Italy, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador vermiculture being a promising company in many countries, mainly in the tropics.

Bait fishing:

Crops or machinery or manual removal of worms directly from their natural habitat to be sold as bait. This has much boom in the United States. There are opening up an internal market for fishing.

Recycling of industrial and urban domestic waste:

It consists of the classification of waste (organic matter) and fermented by the compost and then offer it to the worms, which he transformed into humus. This is of significance environmental as well as a commercial form of waste recovery.

It can be done at home, or even scale with large cities waste.

For human consumption:

Since its inception, it is necessary to review and rigorous evaluation process to ensure optimum product quality. According to the results, it is feasible to consider the possibility of using worm meat for incorporation in the preparation of foods such as burgers, cakes, pizzas, etc.. In the Far East is a special dish.

For feeding birds:

In small plots can ensure effective system since it does not have to perform the drying and milling as flour, but is offered freely allowing the birds take them substrate mixture.

For fish feed:

It can pull the lake directly, where they are consumed with greed.

For a high protein, essential amino acids and vitamins, worm meat is an important source in the preparation of concentrate and balancing diets for animals with higher levels of digestivilidad and conversion but also its composition to come to replace and overcome fishmeal quality is optimal.

Although dry matter contents are low, can be dehydrated before being crushed and used for animal feed. In Colombia you can expect a short-term human consumption, why it is important to plan towards livestock farms.

Possibilities have been operating a market for human consumption in canned form.

Using Californian worm as only source of protein in diets based energy is cassava or sugar cane juice, is how to maximize their high protein concentration. This makes it very easy to energy ratios - protein essential for the production especially in monogastric. It can also be complemented this diet with fodder trees.

Other industrial uses for manufacture of creams, protein substances as antibiotics and cosmetology.