Comparative Assessment of Earthworm Biomass, Excreta Production, and COI Gene- Based Species Identification in Chilli and Paddy Agroecosystems of the Vidarbha Region in Sakoli Tehsil, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Present study evaluated the influence of crop type and cultivation stage on earthworm communities in chilli
and paddy fields of the Sakoli Tehsil in Vidarbha region, Maharashtra, India. Earthworms were sampled
during the pre-sowing and harvesting stages, and their biomass, fresh body weight, excreta production,
excreta production rate, and hourly excretion rate were determined. Adult earthworms were identified
morphologically and further confirmed through cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing and
phylogenetic analysis. Statistical comparisons were performed using an unpaired t-test. Earthworm biomass
remained relatively stable in chilli fields but declined significantly in paddy fields after harvest.
Physiological parameters such as fresh body weight and excreta production exhibited crop-specific
responses, indicating that soil texture, moisture, nutrient availability, and agricultural practices strongly
influenced earthworm activity. COI-based molecular identification confirmed the occurrence of Eisenia
fetida and Travoscolides changannueres in both cropping systems, whereas Amynthas mayshanesis was
restricted to chilli fields. The findings demonstrate that earthworm physiological performance and species
composition vary with agroecosystem characteristics and cultivation stage, highlighting their value as
bioindicators of soil health and sustainable agricultural management.