Title: Bioconversion of municipal (organic) solid waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost by earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida and Perionyx excavatus).
Abstract: Changes in the concentrations of major nutrients of vermicompost of Municipal Organic Solid Waste [MOSW] processed by three species of earthworms viz., Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, and Perionyx excavatus and its simple compost were assessed during different intervals. The bulk mass of MOSW was reduced up to 65, 55 and 40% by vermicomposting mediated by E. eugeniae, E. fetida and P. excavatus, respectively, and up to 20% in the compost. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and concentrations of major nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the vermicompost and compost gradually increased while the organic carbon, C/N and C/P ratios decreased as the composting process progressed from 0 to 60 days (P<0.05). The vermicompost of all the earthworm species possessed significantly higher concentrations of nutrients than the compost and substrate (P<0.05). Moreover, among them, vermicompost of E. eugeniae acquired higher nutrients than that of E. fetida, P. excavatus, and compost (P<0.05). Thus, E. eugeniae may be chosen for vermicomposting of MOSW over the other two species of earthworms. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 5
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