Vermicast Analysis with the Earthworm Species Pheretima losbanosensis (Crassiclitellata: Megascolecidae): Bacterial Profiles for Potential Applications in Agriculture

In the Philippines, use of non-native earthworm species in vermicomposting is popular. Given that country a vital geographical resource for diversity, study to establish potential their vermicasts agricultural applications essential. this study, bacteria associated with recently described indigenous species, Pheretima losbanosensis, were investigated using next-generation sequencing, community-level physiological profiling, and NPK activity screening. The results showed diverse bacterial belonging phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Spirochaetes, Thermodesulfobacteria, Verrucomicrobia. Higher diversity carbon substrate utilization (p < 0.05) amines amides, phenolic compounds, polymers, carboxylic acetic acids exhibited by communities P. losbanosensis compared those Eudrilus eugeniae. Likewise, (n = 25) isolated from had higher nitrogen fixation phosphate potassium solubilization activities than 20) E. eugeniae vermicasts. Overall, our indicate inhabiting have nutrient mineralization may sustainable agriculture as organic input promote plant growth improve soil substrate.