Vermicompost Preparation from Plant Debris, Cattle Dung and Paper Waste by Using Three Varieties of Earthworms in Green Fields Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Vijayawada(AP), India

Introduction

The increase in population causes an increase in the quantity and type of urban and rural wastes. Such wastes are undesirable pollutants to the environment and time could even be a health menace. As far as rural wastes are concerned, there are enormous quantities of organic materials that are not utilized. “Vermicomposting technology” is a fast growing one with its pollution free, cost effective and efficient nature. Since 2,350 years ago Aristotle was reported, vermiculture is basically the science of breeding and raising earthworms. It defines the thrilling potential for waste reduction, fertilizer production, as well as an assortment of possible uses for the future.¹

Vermicomposting is the process of producing organic fertilizer or the vermicompost from bio-degradable materials with earthworms. Composting with worms avoids the needless disposal of vegetative food wastes and enjoys the benefits of high quality compost. The earthworm is one of nature’s pinnacle “soil scientists.” Earthworms are liberated and cost effective farm relief. The worms are accountable for a variety of elements including turning common soil into superior quality. They break down organic matter and when they eat, they leave behind castings that are an exceptionally valuable type of fertilizer.⁵

In recent years, Julka and Smith were reported earthworms have been identified as one of the major tools to process the biodegradable organic materials.^3,2 The utilization of waste materials through the earthworm has given the concept of vermicomposting. The vermicompost technology approach utilizes waste management process by involving earthworms.⁴ Improvement of soil through vermiculture has now become a popular part of organic farming. Vermicmpost is accepted as humus biofertilizer, soil fertility booster, soil activator and soil conditioner with required plant nutrients of storage polysaccharides and structural polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes, growth regulators and beneficial microorganisms like nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilising, denitrifying, decomposing bacteria and methanogenic bacteria.^11,12 “The Green Revolution” that was promoted in early part of 20th century, was a boost to food production without foreseeing its ill effects. The recent realizations to maintain ecological balance for sustenance of agricultural production, farmers and scientists alike are aiming at finding an alternative to chemical agriculture. India has a long tradition of agriculture with a rich heritage of eco friendly agriculture technologies. In India the tropical climate prevailing is very congenial for farming. Talking in consideration such favorable environmental conditions, early farmers developed such technologies which were used to reap a big harvest throughout the ages. But after 1950, when green revolution was introduced, there was a sudden hike in consumption of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and hybrid seeds. Unfortunately such extravagant use of these technologies and interference in natural processes in so called modern agricultural technologies seem to have failed in maintaining harmony with nature. As a result even sustainability of agriculture as a whole is at stake.

Vermiculture is ecofriendly since earthworms feed on anything that is biodegradable, vermicomposting then partially aids in the garbage disposal problems. No imported inputs required, worms are now locally available and the materials for feeding are abundant in the locality as market wastes, grasses, used papers and farm wastes. It is also highly profitable, both the worms and castings are saleable.⁵

Seanapatti and other co-workers developed applied use of earthworms in the breakdown of a wide range of organic residues, including sewage sludge, animal wastes, crop residues, and industrial refuse to produce vermicompost, has been recommended Hartenstein and Bisesi, 1988; Van Gestel et al., 1992; Dominguez and Edwards, 1997. The importance of the earthworms in waste management, environmental conservation, organic farming and sustainable agriculture has been highlighted by several workers.^6,7,8

Therefore an experiment was conducted during summer session from January 2016 to March 2016 with the objectives to find the best source of bedding material in relation to the nutrient status as well as the multiplication of earthworms and to find out the best species of earthworm vis-a-vis different bedding materials.

Materials and Methods

The cattle dung (15 days old) was procured from nearby gudavalli village dairy farm. The moisture content of the medium was maintained at about 50%.-80%, Plant waste from Horticulture University and the paper waste was procured from the Kaleswara Rao market, Vijayawada, Krishna Distrct, Andhra Pradesh, India. The procured paper was shredded before using by means of a paper shredder. Earthworms (Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavates) were procured from GPC Biotech India, Kesarapalli, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. For the present study, separate vermi-bed was made using 15 days old cattle dung, plant waste and paper waste for mass culture of Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavates. The culture was constantly monitored throughout the period of study with time by time spraying of water. Mature clitellate worms for experimental purpose were taken from this stock culture.

The experiments was conducted in to two parts in the present study. The first part of pre-decomposition experiment a ceramic tank of 50x45x35cm (Fig. 1) measurement was filled with a mixture (10kg) of cattle dung, plant debris and shredded paper, it was daily sprinkled with water so that it gets decomposed. Also this waste was turned up and down for proper aeration and decomposition. This experiment was continued for 10 days and second part of composting experiment was study plastic tubs were filled with the pre-decomposed mixture of cow dung and shredded paper. 50 numbers of each variety of adult, mature, clitellate worms were taken from the stock culture and were uniformly released on the top of the containers of all the three experimental containers along with plant waste. The experiments were conducted inside the vermicompost shed located in green fields institute of agriculture research and training, gudavalli, Vijayawada Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, in order to avoid the danger of predators and snow in during the months of January  and February. The containers were covered by mesh garden cloth and were observed daily in order to check the various parameters necessary for the survival and reproduction of earthworms. These two experiments were maintained for 60 days till the finely granular vermicompost was prepared.

During the experiments of composting process the material was analysed for different physico-chemical attributes such as total Nitrogen, available Phosphorus, exchangeable Potassium and pH, by using conventional methods as well as for earthworm number, cocoon production and weight loss of organic substrate. During this research experiment, the samples were examined at periodic intervals after 30 and 60 days of vermicomposting.

Figure 1: showed decomposition experiment in a cement tank of 50x45x35cm. Click here to View figure

Figure 2: show impact of composting period on three earthworm number, weight and biomass. Click here to View figure

Result and Discussion

Plant debris and paper waste material is characterized with high values of pH, organic carbon and cattle dung low values of organic carbons. However, other nutrient such as total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were found in very trace amounts in three materials and excellent result was obtained for nutrient ratio carbon and nitrogen. The process of vermicomposting activity showed significantly changes in the physical and chemical properties of plant debris, cattle dung and paper waste material that can be an important tool for organic compost farming. It is indicated in Table.1 that during vermicomposting the pH declines (from 8 to 7.3) with the advancement of vermicomposting period (from 0 to 30 to 60 days).

Table 1: Effect of vermicompost on different physico-chemical parameters of cattle dung and plant debris and paper waste along with three types of earthworms.

Table 2: Impact of composting period on three earthworms of Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavates number and biomass.

Table 3: Impact of vermicomposting on weight loss of three organic substrate in the presence of three Earthworms.

The result of Table 1 that the ratio of carbon and nitrogen and values phosphorus and potassium increased over 60 days of vermicomposting. Excellent values of total nitrogen (0.79%), phosphorus (2.50%) and potassium (1.40%) were compared with control (0day). The table 2 showed clearly evidence that there was no mortality of worms in the pre-decomposed cattle dung, plant debris and paper waste. Garg et al., (2006) while working growth and reproduction of E. foetida in animal wastes also opined that pre-composting is very essential to avoid the mortality of worms¹¹. Table.3 showed clearly indicates that vermibiotechnology reduces the amount of waste and also increased the nutrient content of the product (vermicompost) to be used as a biofertilizer in agricultural practices. Weight loss were found in three material of plant debris, cattle dung and paper waste by Eisenia fetida (61%) Eudrilus eugeniae (72%) and Perionyx excavates (60%).

Among results three tables of the vermicomposting are also supported by Elvira et al., (1998)⁹ who observed 20 to 42% loss of carbon as CO2 during vermicomposting of paper mill and dairy sludge. The increase in earthworm population might be related with the decrease in C: N ratio with the advancement of time.¹⁰

Conclusion

The results from the casting analysis had revealed that the organic waste of  plant debris, cattle dung and paper waste can be converted into usable form with its excellent nutrient release. Though there may not be a great increase in nutrient, the small change in nutrient value and the reduction in C:N ratio make the plant to uptake. The castings which are rich in microorganism enhance the plant growth hormones. The result showed the increase in three types of Earthworm population in three substrate of paper waste, cattle dung and plant debris. The vermicompost is a eco friendly and cost effective methods. It is an ideal method for the management and development of solid waste. To conclude hold promise to play a significant role in protecting environment as it uses waste as raw material and in building up of soil fertility and improving soil health for sustainable agriculture practices.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to, Dr. Akash, Chairman of green fields institute of agriculture research and training, for financial assistance. The authors express their sincere thanks to Sk Yasin Baba, Principal and Professor of Agriculture Economics of green fields institute of agriculture research and training, gudavalli, Vijayawada rural, Andhra Pradesh, India for their valuable suggestions.

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