Augmentation of plant biomass productivity using epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia fetida as soil nutrient facilitators

Abstract With the increasing demand for organic food production, the earthworm is used as a soil nutrient facilitator. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of epigeic earthworms Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia. fetida on soil nutrients and the consequent improvement of biomass productivity and yield of Capsicum chinense Jacq and Zea mays L. The experiment was conducted in 5 L and 15 L capacity plastic pots for C. chinense and Z. mays with 150 g and 300 g of half-decomposed cow dung, respectively. It was observed that the weekly harvest rate of ripened chili was 17.59 g, 13.91 g, and 9.24 g in P. excavatus, control, and E. fetida pot showing 26.49% higher in P. excavatus. Also, the total kernel count per corn was significantly different (F (2, 9) = 37.78, p