Vermicomposting of Tea Factory Coal Ash: Metal accumulation and metallothionein response in Eisenia fetida (Savigny) and Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

Changes of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content during storage of vermicomposts prepared from different substrates

“…Vermiconversion is the conversion of biodegradable or sluggishly biodegradable solid wastes to valuable fertilizer through the combined action of earthworms and microorganisms. Eisenia fetida is considered the most eurythermal species of epigeic earthworms and has produced faster decomposition and better mineralization of organic matter as compared to other species (Triphathi and Bhardwaj 2004;Gupta et al 2008) because of the beneficial microorganisms, enzymes, and hormones contained in their intestines (Verma 2011;Goswami et al 2014). Adoption of vermicomposting technology enhances the solubility of major nutrients and is dependent on the original substrate.…”

Vermicompost and farmyard manure improves food quality, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of Cajanus cajan (L. Mill sp.) leaves

“…Interestingly, bulk density of vermicompost (0.36 ± 0.05) was lower than farmyard manure (0.58 ± 0.11), whereas moisture retention capacity was higher in vermicompost (83.00 ± 5.17) as compared to farmyard manure (70.00 ± 4.66). Efficient comminuting action of earthworm gizzards, supplemented with body fluids and mucus, pulverises organic substances to highly porous and fine particles which result in low bulk density and high moisture retention capacity of the vermicompost . Total organic C content and availability of essential nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Zn) was higher in the vermicompost as compared to farmyard manure, which is beneficial to field crops.…”

“…Both the organic inputs were slightly acidic in nature indicating the mineralised composition of the substances. Such an acidic nature of vermicompost and farmyard manure is due to the occurrence of NO 3 − and organic acids produced during the process of organic matter mineralisation . In addition, we recorded substantial enzyme activity (urease and phosphatase) in both vermicompost (urease = 2.14 ± 0.88, phosphatase = 26.76 ± 6.68) and farmyard manure (urease = 3.59 ± 1.07, phosphatase = 17.15 ± 0.61).…”

“…Efficient comminuting action of earthworm gizzards, supplemented with body fluids and mucus, pulverises organic substances to highly porous and fine particles which result in low bulk density and high moisture retention capacity of the vermicompost. 12 Total organic C content and availability of essential nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Zn) was higher in the vermicompost as compared to farmyard manure, which is beneficial to field wileyonlinelibrary.com/jsfa crops. Both the organic inputs were slightly acidic in nature indicating the mineralised composition of the substances.…”

“…The vermicompost was prepared according to a previously reported methodology from our laboratory. 12 Earthworm species Metaphire posthuma was used for the vermiconversion experiment. The farmyard manure was procured from a local agricultural farm.…”