Prior research has shown that composting worms increase plant production and impact the soil microbiome. Using arugula grown from seed with and without composting worms (Eisenia fetida), plant biomass was measured and preliminary soil microbiome analysis was performed. Plant biomass and culturable microbial numbers were not statistically significantly different between the treatments. Microbial populations appeared to include different species between worm and no-worm treatments. Overall microbial diversity increased in the worm treatment. While these changes did not affect plant biomass, they may impact germination time and other plant/soil characteristics, such as arugula flavor or soil structure, which were not investigated.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Bonomo, Locke Ezra-Ros

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042419-193048

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill
• Buckholt, Michael Allan

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright