Field Release Methods and Technical Key Points for Earthworms

Artificial earthworm breeding requires simple equipment and is easy to manage. Generally, medicinal earthworms can be cultured using the areas in front of and behind houses, vacant courtyard spaces, and old wooden boxes, etc. Earthworms can also be bred in combination with vegetable fields, allowing dual utilization for profit. Below is an introduction to the field release methods for earthworms.

1. Mulberry Field Breeding Method

Generally, select a mulberry field with relatively flat terrain that can be both irrigated and drained. Dig trenches 40cm wide and 20-25cm deep along the rows between mulberry trees, add preliminarily decomposed organic fertilizer such as horse and cattle manure, straw, weeds, pig and sheep manure, dead leaves, rotten grass, etc. Add about 5000-7500kg of organic material per mu, cover with 10-15cm of soil on top, and release seed earthworms for breeding. The release quantity depends on the earthworm species and individual size. Green manure or green feed can be planted between rows, and a drainage ditch should be dug every 5 rows. Maintain moisture content at around 30%.

2. Feed Field Breeding

This includes fields planted with comfrey, broad beans, and other perennial green feed lands. When breeding, select a feed field with level terrain, dig an irrigation and drainage ditch every 10 rows, dig trenches 15-20cm wide and deep between comfrey rows, apply organic feed into the trenches, cover with about 10cm of soil on top, and then release blue earthworms for breeding. Pay regular attention to irrigation or drainage, maintaining soil moisture content at around 30%.

3. Vegetable Garden Breeding Method

Vegetable gardens have sufficient water and fertilizer conditions and fine management, which is most favorable for earthworm growth and reproduction. In vegetable gardens used for earthworm breeding, apply 7500-10000kg of high-quality organic fertilizer or decomposed rotten vegetables, garbage, etc. per mu. After vegetable seedlings emerge, release seed earthworms for breeding. When breeding earthworms in vegetable gardens, the application of chemical nitrogen fertilizers and certain pesticides should be reduced. Adult earthworms can be harvested in stages in conjunction with vegetable management.

4. Orchard Breeding Method

Using the vacant space under fruit trees to breed earthworms both fully utilizes the land and promotes fruit tree production. If breeding blue earthworms, the method is similar to the mulberry field breeding method. If breeding Eisenia fetida (red earthworms), pile decomposed cattle, horse, and pig manure 1.5-2m wide and 0.4m high along the tree rows under the fruit trees as earthworm breeding beds. Leave a walkway between each breeding bed, dig a drainage ditch every 2 breeding beds, cover the feed surface of the breeding bed with rice straw or wheat straw, maintain humidity at 60-70%, and cover with plastic film on rainy days to prevent soaking by rainwater.

5. Air-raid Shelter Breeding

Urban air-raid shelters are underground rooms, warm in winter and cool in summer, with relatively high surrounding humidity, suitable for breeding red earthworms. The breeding method is the same as box breeding and pit breeding. A lamp can be lit at night, which both prevents escape and provides a certain light source beneficial to earthworm growth.

The above is Tuliuwang's introduction to earthworm field release methods. Areas with many vegetable gardens, orchards, and nurseries can choose blue earthworm breeding, combined with field planting for dual utilization, which can both improve soil and increase fertility, promote plant yield increases, and also harvest earthworm animal protein feed, resulting in higher benefits.