Reproductive potential and population growth of the worm Enchytraeus buchholzi (Clitellata: Enchytraeidae) under laboratory conditions as well as regression models
Zhao, L.; Ma, G. (2025). Reproductive potential and population growth of the worm Enchytraeus buchholzi (Clitellata: Enchytraeidae) under laboratory conditions as well as regression models. Biology-Basel 14(2): 167. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biology14020167
In: Biology-Basel. MDPI AG: Basel. ISSN 2079-7737; e-ISSN 2079-7737, meer
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| Abstract |
The worm Enchytraeus buchholzi is a key pest on American ginseng. Usually, it feeds on decaying vegetation, but it can become both parasitic and saprophytic when it meets with germinating seeds, living rootlets, and fresh taproots of the perennial, medicinal herb, causing significant injury. We conducted a study on individual and population reproductions, applied a series of bio-statistical methods to analyze the raw data, and constructed models based on their numerical increases. The results showed that the worm had a life span longer than 10-generation time, and revealed its daily reproductive potential and population growth trends. A parent adult laid 84.8 and 110.6 cocoons containing 545 and 714 eggs at 18 and 21 °C on average; the number of cocoons increased along a quadratic curve and that of eggs rose along a cubic curve. At 18–21 °C, it was able to reproduce 42 filial adult equivalents in a generation, and take place 7–9 generations a year in Liuba County, possessing a significant, generational reproductive potential. Its laboratory population followed a logistic growth pattern. The study has expanded our knowledge on bionomics and population ecology, and will help professionals predict population dynamics and promote ginseng production. |
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