Coelomic fluid of earthworms extruded by cold stress method has commercially significant compounds and trigger seed germination in Vigna radiata L

Abstract Earthworms were reported as tools to generate vermicompost from organic waste materials. We reported that coelomic fluid (CF) collected by cold treatment (cold CF) from earthworms improved the seed germination and growth parameters of Vigna radiata better than CF collected by normal and warm treatment. The present study aims to identify the unique compounds present in the cold CF to promote the germination process of V. radiata. Commercially important compounds such as squalene, and heneicosane were found only in cold CF. Hentriacontane was found in both CF collected by warm and cold stress method. Thiocarbamic acid was found in all three types of CF collected from earthworms. Squalene, heneicosane, thiocarbamic acid and hentriacontanne are reported to play role in reducing cholesterol, enhancing plant growth, pesticide activity and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. Squalene, precursor of plant hormone brassinosteroid, might have played significant role in seed germination. To identify the significance of CF in seed germination, total phenolic content, antioxidant and micro-structural properties of seeds treated with CF were estimated. Our results strongly evidenced that cold CF rapidly triggered the seed germination process. CF of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae could be used as a resource for commercially important compounds.