Optimizing Household Waste and Cow Dung Proportions for Quality Vermicompost Production

Abstract

Aim: To standardize the ratio of household waste and cow dung for quality vermicompost based on physical properties.
 Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (Factorial).
 Place and Duration of Study: Vermicompost Production Unit, RPCAU, Pusa during April 2018 to June 2018.
 Methodology: Household waste was combined with cow dung in three different proportions (35:65, 50:50 and 65:35 ratio of household waste and cow dung, respectively) along with rock phosphate and suitable species of earthworms @ 2 kg per ton of material at suitable temperature and moisture (370C and 65% w/w respectively) under shade. Various physical parameters were analyzed at 30, 60 and 90 days after setting the windrows.
 Results: Vermicompost prepared from household waste and cow dung in (50:50) ratio recorded lowest moisture content 16.0% and highest water holding capacity (20.7%) at the end of vermicomposting process (90 days) and 94% of material passed through 4.0 mm IS sieve.
 Conclusion: Vermicompost prepared from household waste and cow dung in equal proportion (50:50) emerged out as better quality vermicompost based on the observed physical characteristics.