Contribution to the vermiculture technique in the kikwit region of the democratic Republic of Congo

The biological component of the soil provides ecosystem services that are considered today as a key to the implementation of ecologically intensive agriculture. In order to improve the productivity of the very poorly fertile and particularly acidic soils in the hinterland of the city of Kikwit in the DRC, the present study aims to produce earthworms in the pedoclimatic conditions of this area. The results obtained in this study show that earthworm production can be ensured without concern by the droppings of herbivores, including rabbit droppings. We observed in rabbit droppings on the 84th day of cultivation an average of 83 individuals, 3.6gr and 23.7cm per individual, respectively for abundance, weight and length. The average results of the environmental parameters observed in the rabbit droppings on the 84th day of culture were 25.01°C; 79.63% and 7.2, respectively for temperature, humidity and pH. Thus, rabbit droppings present an ideal substrate for earthworm rearing under the conditions of the Kikwit area. However, further study on the economic evaluation of this technology seems to be necessary before any promotion.