Method and device for raising worms, method of raising worms in nutrition limited by inhibiting means, method of producing worm castings, and holder for raising worms
A method and a device are disclosed for raising worms. The worms are fed in accordance with a continuously growing nutritional chain in a manner such that a migration of a worm population following said chain is produced. At least once an accretion of the worm population is separated leaving a migrating stock population in the nutritional chain, whereas the accretion migrates in the direction of an accretion nutritional chain which starts from the stock nutritional chain, and can be harvested therefrom. Apparatus is described for raising the worms under conditions which are optimal for the farmer and depend, for instance, on economical and seasonal conditions. The method and/or device can be advantageously used for producing worm casting, since the worms can be maintained under conditions whereby the conversion velocity of the nutrition offered to the worms is maximal over a long period of time.
Disclosed is a method for enhancing the concentration of vermicompost comprising the steps of liquefying and agitating a vermicompost feedstock; separating large bodies from the liquefied feedstock and further separating the remaining portion into first and second sub-portions; centrifugally separating the first sub-portion into light and heavy portions; returning the light portion to the liquefying and agitating step; separating biological vermicompost components from the second sub-portion and heavy portion using a biological filter; returning the liquid to the liquefying and agitating step; innoculating the biological vermicompost components with food and/or supplements; further enhancing the concentration of the biological vermicompost components by allowing the biological vermicompost components an effective amount of time to multiply and dry; and packaging the biological vermicompost components.
The present invention provides a method for inducing gamete maturation in marine worms of the family arenicolidae and which exhibit epidemic spawning. In the method, male and/or female worms in a housing substrate (such as sand) in sea water are maintained at a temperature of 4 to 8.degree. C. for 14 to 24 days, preferably 5 to 7.degree. C. for 20 to 22 days. Spawning of the worms can them be induced either by exposure to suitable spawning promoting hormones or by raising the temperature of the sea water to 12 to 14.degree. C.
Gel capsules having a size approximately equal to that of the seed being planted and which contain: (a) an earthworm cocoon having one or more viable eggs; and (b) a material to provide a density to the capsules approximately equal to that of the seed being planted; are mixed with and planted with the seed to introduce earthworms to a field.
The present invention provides a method for the aquaculture of marine deposit feeders, such as Arenicola marina and Arenicola defodiens. The method comprises providing a foodstuff such as brewery yeast or waste from fish farms within the substrate housing the worms. The foodstuff is conveniently particulate or microparticulate to aid intimate admixture with a substrate, which is typically sand.
The present invention provides a method for the aquaculture of marine deposit feeders, such as Arenicola marina and Arenicola defodiens. The method includes providing a foodstuff such as brewery yeast or waste from fish farms within the substrate housing the worms. The foodstuff is conveniently particulate or microparticulate to aid intimate admixture with a substrate, which is typically sand.
