Time Efficient Co-composting of Water Hyacinth and Industrial Wastes by Microbial Degradation and Subsequent Vermicomposting

Abstract

Time efficient co-composting of distillery and paint sludge industrial wastes with 2:1:1 ratio of water hyacinth, cow-dung and saw-dust in combination with Trichoderma viride, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Bacillus cereus and earthworms was done. The decrease in MC, TOC and C:N ratio and increase in temperature, TKN, pH, TK, TP was significant. Out of five treatments, DS3 (60% distillery sludge) and DS4 (80% distillery sludge) treatments were stable and matured with C:N ratio of 18.68 ± 1.1 and 14.73 ± 1.12 respectively. Maximum earthworm numbers (26) were obtained in DS1 substrate and maximum cocoons (10) were counted in PS1 substrate. 20% (w/w) vermicompost mixed soil induced the growth in root length (4.6 ± 0.21), shoot length (5.4 ± 0.10) and 90% GI while >20% (w/w) have inhibitory effects on plant growth. Therefore these treatments can be applied in agronomic field as a soil amendment.

Effects of the Ingredients on Maturity and Humification during Kitchen Waste Composting as Illustrated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

“…The strong respiratory and metabolic activity of the microbes improved the dissipation and utilization of moisture [24]. During the composting process, the MC is considered as an important indicator to be regulated as it influences the structure and thermal property of the compost materials, microorganism activities and OM biodegradation [29]. As shown in Figure 1b, the initial MCs in different treatments during KW composting with ingredients were 51.38% (T1), 50.67% (T2), 49.10% (T3), and 49.55% (T4), respectively.…”