Physical and Chemical Characterization of Earthworms and Humus Obtained by Vertical Vermicomposting (original) (raw)
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Vermicomposting of Solid Waste Using Local and Exotic Earthworms - A Comparative Study
Chemical Science Transactions, 2014
The aim of this study was to assess the decomposition efficiency of earthworms, local (L.mauritii) as well as exotic (Eisenia foetida) in vermicomposting of garden litter in SRM University campus, Tamilnadu, India. The vermicompost produced through vermicomposting of garden litter mixed with cow dung in the ratio of 3:1 by using local and exotic earthworms (Eisenia foetida) were rich in ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, total potassium & TKN and there was a reduction in total organic carbon and carbon to nitrogen ratio. The study reveals that the decomposition efficiency of exotic earthworms is better when compared to local earth worms.
Vermicompost quality and earthworm reproduction in different organic waste substrates
Purpose The present study aims to evaluate the changes in parameters affecting the quality of vermicompost produced by the earthworm 'Eisenia fetida' on different organic waste substrates using multivariate analysis, variance analysis, factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Method A completely randomized design experiment was conducted with a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement of experimental and control treatments in triplicate per treatment. We investigated the growth and reproduction of earthworms and the characteristics of vermicompost produced on different organic wastes and residues represented by carrot pulp (C), potato peel (P), vegetables (V) and sawdust (S) blended with cattle manure (as the main substrate) at two levels of 100 and 150 grams of each treatment in two kilograms of manure. Chemical parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) were measured in the vermicompost produced. Results The results of cluster analysis and PCA grouped nine substrate combinations into three categories with similar qualitative characteristics. The first two principal components in PCA revealed that the major parameters responsible for the qualitative changes in the produced vermicompost were iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Conclusion Current results suggested that the treatment CPVS and the treatment S (sawdust) provided the optimal conditions for the growth and reproduction of earthworms and the production of high-quality vermicompost.
An Overview: Organic Waste Management by Earthworm
Vermicomposting is a biotechnological process, in which organic materials converted as valuable product, vermicompost by earthworms. The nutrient profi le of vermicompost is higher than traditional compost. The vermicompost alters the soil fertility in different ways, such as better aeration, porosity, bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content. The vermicompost application enriches the soil microorganism, plant growth (size of leaf, height, width and weight) and nutrient content of the yield. The high concentrations of vermicompost may delay plant growth due to the concentration of soluble salts. As a result, vermicomposts should be applied at required quantity to produced higher yield. In this overview describe about the organic waste management, vermicompost, earthworms species and economical importance of the vermicompost.
Purpose The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of different animal product wastes and plant compost on survival and growth of earthworm (Eisenia fetida). Methods The study is realized in a vermibin for a duration of 90 days. The initial physico-chemical parameters (pH, humidity, ash, organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and C:N ratio) were determined in each waste of the different substrates before the study. Six waste products (pig, poultry, rabbit, cattle, sheep and vegetal compost) in triplicate (6 9 3) were used for earthworm production. In each 12-l content vermibin, 2 kg of substrate and 30 g of mature earthworms were sown. Each month, the growth control was realized by earthworms harvest and weighing. The earthworms were put back in substrate in vermibin and 500 g of substrate were completed. The pH was measured every week. Results The physico-chemical parameters (pH, ash, organic matter, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and C:N ratio) varied (P \ 0.05) according to different substrate. The C:N ratio of different organic substrates are in the range of 8.46 in vegetable compost to 19.39 in pig dung. At the end of study the biomass gain and mortality varied (P \ 0.05) according to different treatments. The growth rate varied according to different organic waste (P \ 0.05) and ranged between-0.06 ± 0.02 (vegetable compost) and 1.34 ± 0.11 (cow dung). Maximum weight gain and highest growth rate were attained with cow dung. Earth-worm biomass gain in different animal wastes is in the order of: cow [ pig [ rabbit [ poultry [ sheep [ compost vegetable. Conclusion The animal wastes (cow, sheep, pig, rabbit and poultry) and vegetable compost can be used to produce the earthworm. But the growth and produce depend on the biochemical quality of the substrates and the availability and facility for using a nutritive element.
Physico-chemical Status of Vermicompost Processed by Earthworm Specie Eisenia fetida
Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 2019
Huge amount of organic wastes including agricultural field wastes, food wastes, municipal solid waste and manures can be converted into a safe and usable product that can be used as a possible substitute for chemical fertilizers. In this regard, the proposed study was designed with the aim to prepare macro and micronutrients rich vermicompost from different bio-wastes that can be used as a possible substitute to chemical fertilizers for improving plant growth. A 90 days vermicomposting experiment was conducted in wooden boxes (1×1 m) containing animal manure and waste material (grasses, brewed black tea leaf and dry leaf) mixed in 3:1 ratio with a 2.5 cm thin layer of soil. The material was at the bottom of the bed and around 10.000 earthworms of Eisenia fetida were settled in the box. The boxes were irrigated by sprinkled water daily and tilled from the top once every week for maintaining aeration and proper decomposition. The vermicompost production was continued for about 90 days...
Current Agriculture Research Journal, 2016
Vermicomposts have higher level of available nutrients like carbon nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, calcium and magnesium derived from the wastes. The paper has attempted to evaluate for development of efficacy vermicompost by using three varieties of earthworms. The use of earthworms in the degradation of different types of wastes is continuing from the past so many years. These wastes include industrial, agricultural of plant debris and domestic waste papers and cattle dung. In this study three varieties of earthworms used such as Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavates in the vermicomposting of plant debris, cattle dung and waste paper. As waste paper, cattle dung and plant debris are rich in carbon while deficient in nitrogen cow dung was mixed with it to make it suitable for three earthworms. A mixture of waste paper, plant debris and c dung in the ratio of 1:1:1 was found to be the best ratio than 3(paper waste): 2(cattle dung) and 5(plant debris). In 60 days time excellent quality and quantity of compost was produced by three earthworms. Physical and biochemical parameters were analyzed during this period of 60 days. Pre decomposition of 10 days and subsequent vermicomposting of 60 days indicates the role of this species in vermibiotechnology. Increase was found in all the parameters like, Total nitrogen (%), Available phosphorus (%) and Exchangeable potassium (%) while a decrease was found in pH and C:N ratio as the timing of vermicomposting increased from 0 days to 60 days.
A Report on Vermicomposting Efficiency of Earthworm Species from Darjeeling Hills and Eisenia fetida
Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences, 2022
Vermicompost is nutrient-rich casts generated by the earthworms that can be used as biofertilizers. Since the potential of fabricating vermicompost varies amongst species, the present study was conducted to determine the vermicomposting efficiency of local earthworm species of Darjeeling hills and Eisenia fetida, that was subjected to three different types of treatments for 60 days: monoculture of E. fetida (set 1), polyculture of readily available local species (set 2), and polyculture of E. fetida and local earthworm species (set 3). At the end of the treatment, while harvesting the compost, all the treatments showed an increase in population size and high decomposition of waste materials. The content of major macronutrients such as organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium did not vary significantly between the vermicompost obtained through different culturing techniques, although considerable differences in population increase after inoculation were observed. Thus, based on reproductive potential and chemical analysis, it may be concluded that the polyculture of local earthworm species of the Darjeeling region and E. fetida can be utilized in generating vermicompost most efficiently, which in turn can contribute towards organic farming and supplementing to the income of the farmers.
VERMICOMPOSTING OF FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ORGANIC WASTE USING EPIGEIC EARTHWORM (Eudrilus eugeniae)
Current methods of disposal and management of nutritionally rich food and household waste are not satisfactory. They are source of foul smell, pollution, unhygienic conditions and infectious diseases. A satisfactory method could not come out from earlier studies made on vermicomposting of such waste under tropical climatic conditions. Therefore the present study was taken up. Different ratios of three waste components were used for experiments and the best results were obtained in a ratio of 35 kg of food and kitchen waste, 7 kg of sand-soil mixture and 1 kg of shredded paper (35:7:1), in which 830 % increase in worm population, 157 % increase in biomass and 58 % vermicomposting was observed. It may be concluded from the study that food and household organic waste can be recycled at home level which may have far reaching effects in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
2017
Vermicomposting is a method of preparing enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to produce quality compost. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casts. Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes. Red earthworm was used because of its high multiplication rate and thereby converts the organic matter into vermicompost within 45-50 days. During the experiments of composting process the material was analysed for different physico-chemical attributes such as total Nitrogen, available Phosphorus, exchangeable Potassium and pH, by using conventional methods. . From the present study, it can be concluded that Earthworms are potentially important creatures that are capable of transforming garbage into gold. It promotes environmental sustai...