Vermicomposting of vegetable garbage

Abstract

An economically feasible method of composting, utilizing earthworms and beneficial micro organisms was standardized to produce an enriched organic manure and its efficiency was tested on a vegetable crop (Chilli). Comparison of the biomass production potential of earthworms and the composts produced by them were carried out in an experiment in CRD with three treatments and seven replications. The efficiency of the epigeic earthworm species, Eudrilluseugeniae in composting was well established. They had a greater biomass production potential and produced 11 cocoons and 22 young ones per 100g of compost in 41 days, Eudrilluseugeniae reduced the time required for composting and increased the rate of degradation and degree of humification. Eudrillus composts had a reduced oxidisable organic carbon content and increased humic acid and alkali soluble carbon content. HA : FA ratio was increased in Eudrillus compost and C:N ratio was narrowed down to a greater extent. Carbon content of humic acid and fulvic acid fractions of the three composts were found to be had comparable values. Vermicomposts showed a pH ranging from neutral to alkaline. Eudrillus compost showed a higher percentage of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu in them. But Ca content was more in local earthworm compost. Inoculation of beneficial micro organisms increased nutrient levels of vermicomposts to a greater extent. Inoculation of both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms along with one per cent rock phosphate gave maximum N, P, K and micro nutrients. Ca and Mg were highest in composts treated with P solubilising micro – organisms and one per cent rock phosphate. Various growth parameters were increased due to the application of Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillumand P solubilising organisms. Application of Eudrillus compost increased the uptake of nutrients by plants. Uptake of N, P, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu were higher for plants treated with Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms. Yield was maximum for plants treated with Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms. Yield and nutrient uptake of plants were significantly and positively correlated with nutrient content of compost and so vermitechnology using earthworms as biological agents is found to be the best for bio-degradation of organic wastes. Also Eudrilluseugeniae was found to be the superb effective agent for the operation of this technology.