Title: Vermicomposting of organic wastes using Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

Authors: I.J. Khan; M.Y. Zargar

Addresses: Organic Farming Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, J&K, India ' Organic Farming Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, J&K, India

Abstract: An experiment was carried out in vermibeds to evaluate the suitability of organic wastes for vermicomposting using Eisenia foetida. The results indicate that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were maximum in the vermicompost formed from treatment T₁₂, followed by T₃. Calcium and sulphur were observed maximum in T₃. T₉ registered maximum magnesium content, followed by T₈. There was also a significant decrease in C:N ratio for T₃, followed by T₁₁. Total viable bacteria, fungi and free living nitrogen fixers showed a significant increase in T₉, followed by T₁₁ and T₁₀, respectively. The population of phosphorus solubilising bacteria also found higher in T₁₀ as compared to control, followed by T₁₄. Thus, the treatment combination of T₁₂ followed by T₉ and T₃ proved to be the best treatments for all the studied characteristics.

Keywords: Eisenia foetida; vermicomposting; vermiculture; biosolids; apple pomace; nutrients; micro-organisms; organic waste; nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium; calcium; sulphur; magnesium; bacteria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2013.051825

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2013 Vol.11 No.2, pp.213 - 221

Accepted: 29 Jan 2011
Published online: 20 Sep 2014 *

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