Abstract
Culture and reproduction testing of E. fetida were conducted successfully with a dry powdered food of rolled barley and spinach (4:1) instead of the TG-222-recommended cow or horse manure. Controls had produced 158.5±27.4(n=4) juveniles by the test's end. We propose that number of juveniles produced by 10 control adults in the TG- 222 validity criteria be increased from more than 30 to more than 60 considering the reproduction potential of this species. The amount of food given initially to 10 adults or to the juveniles produced by these adults should be less than the TG-222-prescribed 5 g. A first feeding of 1 g (for adults) or 0.8 g (for juveniles) minimized fungal growth. The amount and timing of second and subsequent feeds should be determined from the amount of food uneaten. Hatchability of eggs in a cocoon and/or number of eggs (as juveniles)/cocoon can be calculated from additional sampling of vacant cocoons at the end of test, 4 weeks after adult removal. Toxicity data from our modified test were (based on production of juveniles) :LOEC, 4 mg/kg; NOEC, 2 mg/kg; and EC50, 5.6 mg/kg(4.7- 7.7 C.I. mg/kg)(dry wt. soil, nominal concentrations).
