A review on vermicomposting of organic wastes

Abstract

Generation of the huge amount of solid waste around the globe is a major ecological and technical problem. Vermicomposting may be the viable option to handle solid waste in an environmentally friendly way. This review provides a general overview of viability of vermicomposting processes as an ecofriendly approach. The integrated approach of composting and vermicomposting processes provides better results. Further, to optimize the process of vermicomposting, codigestion of organic wastes provides better opportunity for both microorganisms and earthworms to convert the organic fraction of solid waste under controlled environmental conditions. Feeding, stocking density, pH, C/N ratio, temperature, and moisture, by inference, seem to be the critical factors that influence the vermicomposting process. Furthermore, the end product of vermicomposting, the nutrient‐rich compost, could be used for biogas production. Hence, the management of solid waste and energy production can be achieved at the same time with no further costs. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1050–1062, 2015

The influence of potassium dichromate on growth and survival of the vermicomposting earthworm Eisenia foetida

“…Sizmur and Hodson (2009) proposed that the impact of earthworms on soil metals, in terms of both metal mobility and availability, were related to changes in microbial populations, pH, dissolved organic carbon and metal speciation. Ali et al (2015) mentioned that, earthworms have important interactions with microorganisms by stimulation of microbial populations. The presence of earthworms increases overall microbial biomass and activity and modifies the physiological profiles of microbial communities in pig manure (Aira et al, 2007).…”

Vermicomposting: A sustainable tool for environmental equilibria

“…Vermicompost contains essential nutrients, such as solubilized potassium, nitrates, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, which are easily accessible to plants (Lim et al., ; Orozco, Cegarra, Trujillo, & Roig, ; Pathma & Sakthivel, ). The increased surface area of vermicompost provides more microsites for microbes to increase nutrient retention (Ali et al., ; Shi‐Wei & Fu‐Zhen, ). Increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake in rice ( Oryza sativa ) has been reported with the addition of inorganic fertilizer to vermicompost (Jadhav, Talashilkar, & Pawar, ; Thirunavukkarasu & Vinoth, 2013).…”

“…Vermicomposting also enhanced the decomposition rate of organic waste that is used for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. Thus, pretreatment of waste with vermicompost appears to be beneficial (Ali et al., ). Biogas can be used for domestic purposes, such as cooking and lighting, and it directly benefits farmers (Suthar, ).…”

“…Uncontaminated soil is vital for the survival of living things; thus, various different methods are being adopted to recycle wastes (Lim, Lee, & Wu, ; Moledor, Chalak, Fabian, & Talhouk, ). Many authors have investigated various attributes of earthworms and vermicompost application to increase soil fertility by improving soil nutrients (Albanell, Plaixats, & Cabrero, ; Ali et al., ; Edwards & Burrows, ; Lim et al., ; Sinha, Herat, Valani, & Chauhan, ). Improved nutrient quality, in turn, has increased crop productivity (Gupta, Yadav, & Garg, ).…”

A Novel Approach for P25‐Carbon Dot Composite and the Reactive Oxygen Species Involved in the Visible Light Photocatalytic Mineralization of Rhodamine B

“…But we have observed a significant amount (25%) of * OH formation. Hence * OH formation is attributed to the secondary reactions of ROS (equations 3-5) which are as follows, [31,32]…”