Water-holding capacity of earthworms’ vermicompost made of sugar industry waste (press mud) in mono- and polyculture vermireactors

Abstract

Efforts were made to recycle sugar industry waste 'press mud' (PM) with an objective to ascertain the water-holding capacities with monoculture vermireactor systems using Eisenia fetida (MVR1); Eudrilus eugeniae (MVR2); Megascolex megascolex (MVR3); and polyculture vermireactor systems using Eisenia fetida ? Eudrilus eugeniae (PVR1); Eisenia fetida ? Megascolex megascolex (PVR2); Eudrilus eugeniae ? Megascolex megascolex (PVR3). The vermicompost harvested after 40 days was subjected to a standard Proctor compaction test by using 3 kg industry soil and 200 g of vermicompost for each cycle of compaction up to seven cycles. The least dry density and highest water content 0.6, 170%; 0.66, 170%; 0.71, 170% and 0.52, 210%; 0.51, 180%; 0.71, 150% for vermicomposts of MVR3, MVR2, MVR1 and PVR3, PVR2, PVR1, respectively. The monoculture reactor using Megascolex megascolex can hold 110-170% and polyculture vermireactor using indigenous Megascolex megascolex ? Eudrilus eugeniae (PVR3) can hold 140-210% of water under experimental conditions. The species Megascolex megascolex used individually and in combinations with Eudrilus eugeniae are best suited for biodegradation of press mud, and composts derived are having increase water-holding capacities. The addition of VC to the soil increases water-holding capacity and by maintaining evaporation losses to minimum as good adsorbent of atmospheric moisture eventually helps in maintaining the ecology of hydrologic cycle. Increasing water-holding capacity is one of the soil erosion control measures that influences soil productivity in both managed and natural ecosystems.

Role of Microbes in Vermicomposting: A Review

“…Earthworms are hermaphrodites and sexually matured worms with a distinctive epidermal ring-shaped clitellum, which has gland cells that secrete materials to form a cocoon (Edwards and Lofty 1977;Gajalakshmi and Abbasi 2004;Munnoli and Bhosle 2011). Earthworms are the major components of the soil fauna in a wide variety of soils and climates and are involved directly or indirectly in biodegradation in association with the microbes like bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, yeasts, etc., which are all involved in humification and soil processes (Jeevanrao and Ramalakshmi 2002;Lavelle and Spain 2001;Munnoli 2007;Munnoli et al 2002Munnoli et al , 2010.…”

“…In India, the importance of OW management has only been realized in the last 20-25 years (Munnoli 2007;Munnoli and Bhosle 2011Piccone et al 1986;Ranganathan and Christopher 1996). The application of different types of species is not reliable unless it is compatible with the specific substrate being studied.…”

“…Worms secrete enzymes like amylases, proteases, lipases, cellulases and chitinases in their gizzard and intestine which bring about rapid biochemical conversion of the cellulosic and the proteinaceous materials in the OWs (Rajiv et al 2010). They ingest the food materials, cull the harmful microorganisms, and deposit them mixed with minerals (Munnoli and Bhosle 2011;Singh and Suthar 2013) and beneficial microbes as "vermicasts" in the soil. The literature pertaining to enzyme activities associated with gut/tissue/VC/earthworm skin has been reported in several studies (Table 14.2).…”

“…Studies on the earthworm microbes reflect that the soil macro fauna, especially earthworms, is a major component, together with microbes in a wide variety of soils and climates, which are involved directly or indirectly in organic matter decomposition and soil stabilization (Edwards and Lofty 1977;Lavelle and Spain 2001;Munnoli 2007;Munnoli and Bhosle 2011;Singh 1997a). These processes are associated with the symbiotic relationships between earthworms and microorganisms, which mainly occur in the earthworm gut, casts, burrows and pasture land.…”

Bioprospects of Coastal Eubacteria

“…In India, the importance of OW management has only been realized in the last 20-25 years (Munnoli 2007;Munnoli and Bhosle 2011, 2013, 2014Piccone et al 1986;Ranganathan and Christopher 1996). The application of different types of species is not reliable unless it is compatible with the specific substrate being studied.…”