Vermicomposting of different organic materials using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida

Abstract

Purpose The present research was conducted with the objective of exploring the vermicomposting process, which involves different stages such as building of a vermicompost station; import of a compost earthworm (Eisenia foetida); and production of vermicompost using dry grass clippings, rice straw and cow manure. The vermicompost produced can be of significant value to the end users like farmers for replacement of chemical fertilizers and procuring better prices for the organic produce using such composting material locally available at much lower cost. Methods Vermicomposting was done using Eisenia foetida with three treatments [T1 (Rice straw), T2 (Rice straw + grass) and T3 (Grass)]. Temperature, humidity and pH were measured during the process. The population of earthworms, the production of vermicompost, and the chemical and microbial characteristics of the vermicompost were recorded after sixty (60) days and hundred twenty (120) days. The data were analyzed statistically using Sigma Plot 12.0. Results Results indicated that for all the three treatments the temperature was in the range of 0-35 °C, the humidity was between 80 and 100% and the pH fluctuated in the range of 5.5-7.0 and stabilized to near neutral on the 60th day. The combination of rice straw and grass had the highest rate of vermicompost production of 105 kg/m 2 followed by grass and rice straw with 102.5 kg/m 2 and 87 kg/m 2, respectively, at the end of 120 days. Conclusion The harvested vermicompost had an excellent nutrient status, confirmed by the chemical analyses, and contained all the essential macro-and micronutrients.

Unveiling the Efficiency of Psychrophillic Aporrectodea caliginosa in Deciphering the Nutrients from Dalweed and Cow Manure with Bio-Optimization of Coprolites

“…The carbon loss due to respiration of earthworm-associated microbes could be the reason for the decreased C:N ratio. Previous studies also suggested the transformation of C to CO 2 through microbial respiration and an increase in N content due to mineralization [53,54] The recycling of sludge through vermitechnology revealed a decreased C:Nratio (Srivastava et al, 2020) of dry grass and rice straw [55]. Scientific studies revealed the value of the C:N ratio as an indicator of compost maturity with a ratio less than 20 indicating advanced degree of stabilization [56] and <15 desirable for crop production [57].…”

Utilization of Organic Wastes in the Production of Biofertilizer (by Vermicompost using Eisenia fetida Earthworm) with Analysis of their Micro and Macro Mineral Nutrient and their Effects on Growth Rate of Fruited Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

“…Vermicompost is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients and other beneficial soil microbes (nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) [31]. It is a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, which is an excellent growth promoter and protector for crop and plants [13]. Different organic waste material like rice straw, dry grass, chippings, cow dung, dry leaves, rotten watermelon, papaya, pine apple, custard apple and guava has been used in preparing vermicompost biofertilizer [2,9,13].…”

“…Micro-mineral are essential for plant growth, but plants requires relatively small amount of them, hence the term micro. They include boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc [13]. Generally bio-fertilizers produced through vermicom-post method are rich in micro and macro-nutrients which are very vital in soil nutrient enrichment [9].…”

Role of organic and biofertilizers in citrus orchards

“…Vermicompost the most organic fertilizers peat-like materials, produced from various organic materials by composting process using defined species of earthworms (Ramnarain et al, 2019), Also, Vermicompost is made of finely divided particals, contains numerous nutrients in available forms it has beneficial characters as high porosity, microbial activity, good aeration and drainage, increase water holding capacity, remarkable nutrient status and buffering capacity (Pathma and Sakthivel. 2012) (Piya et al, 2018), in addition vermicompost, promote beneficial microbes, provide different microsites for microorganisms and, so enhancing soil biodiversity which consecuantly improve plant growth, and it's rich in various microbial populations like fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes (Lim et al, 2015).…”