Physico chemical evaluation of coffee husk, wastes of enset (Enset ventricosum), vegetable and khat (Catha edulis) through vermicomposting employing an epigeic earthworm Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa, 1886)

Abstract

The major objective of this 90 days vermicomposting work was to evaluate the performance of epigeic earthworms, Dendrobaena veneta, to alter and change four commonly dumped and littered solid wastes in Ethiopian cities and towns into a high quality vermicompost. The experiments were conducted in cylindrical plastic containers with 26 cm depth and 53 cm width under shade. All containers were perforated on the sides for aeration as well as bottom for leachate drainage purpose. The wastes were mixed with cow dung in 3:1 ratio and treated with D. veneta in the following waste and worm mass proportion: 9 kg of vegetable waste treated with 130 g of worms, 9 kg of enset waste treated with 130 g of worms, 5 kg of coffee husk treated with 70 g of worms, 8 kg of khat waste treated with 115 g of worms. Results from all beddings treated by this earthworm species show that total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) increased by 68 to 95%, total potassium (TK) increased between 51 and 76%, total phosphorus (TP) increased between 76 and 100% while total organic carbon (TOC) decreased between 35.3 and 38.5%, the C: N ratio reduced between 62 and 65.5% and considerable reduction was also observed in pH value of the final product. The findings from this experiment indicate that vermicomposting could be one good option to improve solid waste management performance of Ethiopian cities and towns through the production of excellent bio-fertilizer for agronomic purpose.

Direct Application of Coffee Pulp Vermicompost Produced from Epigeic Earthworms and Its Residual Effect on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

“…The selection of these organic wastes was based on the large accumulation and great potential in the study area. Vermicomposts with a mixture of 75% coffee pulp and 25% cow dung [ 19 ] were prepared in 2 m × 1 m × 1 m boxes and cocomposted for thirty days, to break down the substrates into smaller parts that are more easily appetizing to vermin worms. Both Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta adult earthworm species were introduced into the vermicomposting boxes after cocomposting mixed materials.…”

“…Both Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta adult earthworm species were introduced into the vermicomposting boxes after cocomposting mixed materials. Vermicompost was produced and harvested after thirty days by following the recommended procedures and appropriate media [ 19 ].…”

Bioremediation of Temple Waste Using Earthworms for Production of Compost and Value Added Products

“…It has been demonstrated that earthworms can process household garbage, city, refuge, sewage sludge and industrial (paper, wool, food) wastes (Hartenstein, 1979;Appelhof, 1980;Senapati and Dash, 1982). A number of researchers have investigated the capability of earthworms as a treatment or management factor for numerous organic waste streams (Chauhan et al, 2010;Kalamdhad and Khwairakpam, 2012;Mehta and Karnwal, 2013;Dandotiya and Agrawal, 2014;Degefe et al, 2016). Earthworms work upon sewage sludge and solids from water wastes (Sinha et al, 2010), processed paper industry waste (Butt, 1993), brewery waste (Butt, 1993), and coffee pulp.…”

Composting and co-composting of coffee husk and pulp with source-separated municipal solid waste: a breakthrough in valorization of coffee waste

“…Recent case studies (Franca and Oliveira 2009;Kassa et al 2011;De Rezende et al 2012;Shemekite et al 2014;Degefe et al 2016) reported composting of coffee husk with cow dung, fruits/vegetables, effective microorganisms and Khat (Catha edulis). However, no research was carried out to investigate the composting and co-composting of coffee husk and pulp with source-separated municipal solid waste including the leaves of false banana (Ensete ventricosum), fruits, vegetables, khat/Catha edulis and soft dry wood at different proportions.…”