Income analysis of integrated farming system of dairy cow breeding farm, earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus), and citrus sinensis Valencia farm. Case study in Dau District, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia

The integrated farming system between dairy cow breeding, earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus), and citrus (Citrus sinensis valencia) plantations provides regular income for farmers and sustainable farming. This research aims to analyze farmers’ income based on the integrated farming system that has been done on these three commodities. This study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze data. Data were collected through questionnaires to 15 farmers who are members of Gading Kulon Farmer Group in Dau District, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia followed by in-depth interviews with key respondents. The study showed that dairy cow breeding provided annual income which contributed up to 58% of household income. Meanwhile, earthworm farming provides weekly income and twice a year income for citrus farming. Depending on the land area, Earthworms farming contributed up to 10% of household income, and citrus plantation was 33%, depending on the land area owned by farmers. The average income of Dairy cow breeding was Rp. 163,308,000 per year; the Average Income of earthworms was Rp. 27,058,000 per year, and the average income of citrus plants was 92,480,000 per year. However, integrated farming of these commodities does not work well in the community due to farmers’ lack of land and capital. Moreover, most respondents indicated that they were interested only in citrus farming because it is easier compared to dairy cow breeding and earthworm farming. Good cooperation from various parties is needed to increase the importance of integrated farming with these three commodities for sustainable farming in Indonesia.

The Effectiveness of Lumbricus rubellus Extract Toward Interleukin-10 and Immunoglobulin E and Atopic Dermatitis Scoring Index (SCORAD)

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by severe pruritic symptoms and chronic AD related to clinical features in form of lichenification associated with a history of atopic disease both for himself and family. AIM: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using earthworm extract (Lumbricus rubellus) to increase interleukin (IL)-10 and decrease immunoglobulin E (IgE), and to describe the AD (SCORAD) scoring index of patients with AD. METHODS: This research used quantitative with quasi experiment method. The data were analyzed using SPSS v19 program. To determine the basic characteristics of numerical variables, the mean standard deviation is functioned if the data distribution amount is even, if it is not, it used the median. Meanwhile, to observe the relationship between L. rubellus extract and IgE, Mann-Whitney test analysis (U-Test) was used. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the administration of L. rubellus extract showed a changes and differences before and after being involved with the extract. IgE levels between ERL and no ERL groups had differences (p < 0.05), however on day 15 both groups did not show any differences. Meanwhile, the SCORAD index indicated that the influence of lumbricus rebellus extract has an effect on low number of AD patients. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the administration of L. rubellus extract in patients with AD is quite effective.

Physical Parameters of Compost Made from Cattle Farming Waste Using Vermicomposting Method

Cattle Farm should not only be focusing on increasing productivity and maximizing profit but also on the environmental issue that happens around it. Recycling the waste and turning it into fertilizer is an excellent method of waste management. Effective and efficient organic waste management also provides great benefits for humans. One method that can be used is by using the vermicomposting method using Lumbricus rubellus earthworm inside a bamboo reactor. In this research there are two bamboo reactors are used, Reactor A contains a mixture of cow dung and rice straw, and Reactor B containing cow manure only. Physical parameters that were observed are moisture content, pH, temperature, color, and odor. The data were taken around weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6. It shows that the composts have water content values over 50%, pH values between 6-9, temperatures of <30 ° C, blackish in color, and an odor that resembles the smell of soil. From the four parameters examined, only the water content did not fulfill the SNI 19-7030-2004 requirement about the standard of compost quality, however water content can be controlled by drying.

Optimization of dissolved proteins in extracts of earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) with factor adding concentration of papain enzyme and earthworms

Earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) can be used as an alternative to meet protein needs. This study aimed to obtain optimal N-Amino and Total Soluble Solid (TSS) results in earthworm extract. Efforts to improve the results of N-Amino and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in earthworm extract can be done by hydrolyzing the juice of earthworms with the help of enzyme protease papain under certain conditions, so it will facilitate the process of solving protein content. The experimental design in this study was Surface Methodology Response (RSM) model using thirteen models and two factors, namely the addition of papain enzyme concentration (6%, 8% and 10% (b/v)) and the percentage of earthworm base material (10%, 20% and 30% (b/v)). The results of this study showed the highest total protein value of 47.93% (g/L) obtained at the concentration of earthworms by 30% and 10% of papain enzyme. Then the validation results showed the optimum solution at 30% concentration of earthworms and 10% of papain enzyme that produced an N-Amino response of 7.2% and a TDS of 74% (g/L) with a Desirability of 0.906. N-Amino has a quadratic model with the actual variable equation Y 1 = 10 , 66 − 0 , 025 X 1 − 2 , 38 X 2 + 0 , 007 X 1 X 2 + 0 , 004 X 1 2 + 0 , 15 X 2 2 , and TDS has a quadratic model with the actual variable equation Y 2 = 33 , 33 + 1 , 323 X 1 + 2 , 66 X 2 − 0 , 012 X 1 X 2 − 0 , 024 X 1 2 − 0 , 043 X 2 2 .

Performa Cacing Lumbricus rubellus terhadap Penambahan Tepung Cangkang Telur sebagai Media

Lumbricus rubellus is one of earthworm species that has been cultivated because its utility as feed for livestock and fish. The culture media for earthworms are mainly manure and compost. The purpose of this research was to observe the performance of Lumbricus rubellus given eggshell powder in different types and levels. This study used commercial eggshell flour and homemade eggshell flour with different levels (10%, 20%, 30%) mixed with cow dung as a medium. The results of the study showed that the addition of eggshell flour (commercial and homemade) as much as 10% showed a higher earthworm weight gain than other treatments but the cocoon production of the treatment was lower than the control (0% eggshell flour).

New earthworm records from the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests of Iran (Oligochaeta: Megadrili)

Earthworms are the most important soil invertebrates worldwide, in terms of biomass and effects on soil processes. In this study, 21 earthworm species, including four new records were identified from Caspian Hyrcanian Forests (North of Iran). Four species; Criodrilus lacuum, Lumbricus rubellus, Metaphire californica, and Octodrilus transpadanus and the family Criodrilidae are reported for the first time. Previous studies have identified 31 earthworm species belonging to 14 genera and three families (Lumbricidae, Acanthodrilidae, and Megascolecidae) in Iran; therefore, these new records increase the number of earthworm species to a total of 35.

Increased quality of small-scale organic compost with the addition of efficient microorganisms

Substantial quantities solid waste from livestock are potential sources of nutrients for agroecological production on small-scale farms. The processes used to extract these wastes, however, must be capable of eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. We aimed to evaluate composting and vermicomposting processes by inoculating efficient microorganisms at the field scale. We used cattle and sheep manure with the inoculation of efficient microorganisms (EMs) at concentrations of 0, 2, and 4 mL L-1. In vermicomposting experiments, we added Lumbricus rubellus. After the maturation and stabilization phases of the compounds, concentrations of macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals, thermotolerant coliforms and Salmonella spp. were measured. We found that composting processes allowed high availability of macronutrients. Vermicomposting, associated with inoculation with 2 mL L-1 EMs, promoted the lowest concentration of thermotolerant coliforms, ensuring greater elimination of pathogens. The compost produced allowed the valuation of waste and use it as a quality organic fertilizer for agroecological production.

Agro-ecological Characterization of Vermicomposted Sewage Sludge from Municipal and Poultry Enterprise Wastewater Treatment Plants

The purpose of this study was to make an agro-ecological characterization of vermicompost (VC) produced from sewage sludge (SS). As a substrate, SS from municipal and poultry meat processing enterprise wastewater treatment plants (MTP and PTP, respectively) was utilized. The substrates were vermicomposted by Red Californian earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) for 120 days. For VC quality assessment, 19 physicochemical and 6 microbiological parameters were used. The evaluation of physicochemical parameters was done according to ISO standard methods and microbiological analysis-by plating 1 mL of sample dilutions on selective, chromogenic culture medium sheets. It was found that the vermicompost from MTP (VC-M) had higher levels of EC, mineral elements (N, P and K compounds in forms available to plants), heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd) and coliforms, and lower levels of pH, TOC, C/N ratio, Fe, total plate count (TPC), Enterobacteriaceae and Salmonella spp. counts compared to VC from PTP (VC-P). During the vermicomposting process, the substrates from both wastewater treatment plants (TPs) showed similar trends towards decrease in pH, TOC, N-NH4+, C/N ratio, TPC, coliforms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and Salmonella spp. counts, whereas the opposite trends were established for EC, TKN, N-NO3-, TP, P2O5, TK, and K2O values. The vermicomposting had a negligible effect on heavy metal concentrations. In the final substrates E. coli were not detected, while the bacterial spore forms (Clostridium perfringens) were not eliminated. The final substrates cannot be used as fertilizers or soil amendments because of the presence of Salmonella spp. and C. perfringens over the permissible limits according to EU and Bulgarian regulations.

PENGARUH JUMLAH CACING TANAH (LUMBRICUS RUBELLUS) DAN WAKTU PENGOMPOSAN TERHADAP C/N RASIO VERMIKOMPOSTING DARI SLUDGE IPAL PT SURABAYA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE RUNGKUT (SIER)

Proses pengolahan limbah PT SIER, menghasilkan buangan sampingan berupa lumpur yang berasal dari proses pengolahan lumpur aktif. Diperlukan pengolahan tambahan untuk mereduksi bahan organik, salah satunya dengan proses pengomposan dengan metode vermikomposting dengan bantuan cacing tanah (Lumbricus rubellus). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh jumlah cacing tanah (Lumbricus rubellus) terhadap C/N Rasio vermikomposting dari sludge IPAL PT. Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut (SIER) dan mengetahui pengaruh waktu pengomposan terhadap C/N Rasio vermikomposting dari sludge IPAL PT. Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut (SIER). Penelitian ini menggunakan ukuran reaktor dengan tinggi 20cm, jenis cacing tanah (Lumbricus rubellus) dengan panjang 7-10cm, serbuk gergaji kayu sebanyak 1,5kg dan sludge sebanyak 5kg dengan waktu sampling 7 hari, 14 hari, 21 hari, 28 hari, dan 32 hari. Hasil dari penelitian ini didapatkan bahwa pengomposan dengan menggunakan cacing tanah (Lumbricus rubellus) dapat menurunkan kandungan rasio C/N sebesar 14,89 pada reaktor 5 dengan jumlah cacing 30 ekor pada pengomposan hari ke 32 dan penurunan terendah 23,51 pada reaktor 1 dengan jumlah cacing 10 ekor dengan waktu pengomposan 32 hari.

Earthworm species occurrence in agroecosystems in the Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Little is known about the species composition of earthworms in agroecosystems in South Africa even though earthworms provide soil ecosystem services and are useful biological indicators of changes in the habitats. Given the land use and management impact biodiversity, the aim of this study was to document earthworm species that occur under cultivated land in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. A survey of nine farms that practise conservation agriculture was carried out between 2018 and 2020. Twelve earthworm species belonging to four introduced families: Acanthodrilidae (Dichogaster bolaui), Rhinodrilidae (Pontoscolex corenthrurus), Lumbricidae (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Aporrectodea trapezoides, Lumbricus rubellus, Octolasion cyaneum, Octolasion lacteum), Megascolecidae (Amynthas aeruginosus, Amynthas corticis, Amynthas gracilis, Amynthas rodericensis) and juveniles from an indigenous family Tritogeniidae were recorded from cultivated fields. The type of crop (habitat) affected both species richness and abundance of earthworms significantly. However, post hoc results showed differences in species richness between the soya and the maize only, with greater species richness in the maize. Our results demonstrate that habitat type has a major influence on communities of earthworms in agroecosystems.