Chemical composition and enzymic activity of some worm casts

Summary An investigation was carried out to analyze the chemical composition and enzymatic activity of five worm casts obtained from various animal dungs and municipal waste. The E₄/E₆ values for humic and fulvic acids were higher in all worm casts than in a typical Umbrian soil. Comparisons between worm cast, substrate and soil IR and NMR spectra demonstrated the humifying capacity of worms. Enzyme activity was high in all casts and only dehydrogenase seemed to be affected by lead concentration.Research work supported by CNR, Italy. Special grant I.P.R.A.-Sub-project 1. Paper N. 94.