Research into vermicomposting and commercial projects has been developed in many countries. The increased interest in the use of earthworms in waste management seems a real and significant trend, across the world. The presentations at the four symposia cover a wide range, including the biology and ecology of vermicomposting species of earthworms, aquatic weed Salvinia molesta, methods of vermicomposting and the effects of growth of earthworms on salvinia. From my personal research experience, it is a challenge for scientists to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the field. Albeit, this...