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VOL. 9, ISSUE 10 (2024)
Studies on the biological parameters of compost and vermicompost made from different livestock dung with Guava leaf wastes using indigenous earthworms
Authors
S Devanathan, S Senthilmurugan
Abstract
The guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a widely consumed fruit known
as the “apple of the tropics.” Lignocellulosic wastes of guava leaves and three
different livestock dungs (cow dung, sheep dung, and horse dung) introduced
with two Indigenous earthworms, Lampito mauritti and Perionyx
excavates, were taken for the study. Experimental set up of four different combinations
of each animal dung (cow dung, sheep dung, and horse dung) =
(dung 1000g), (dung 750g + guava leaves 250g), (dung 500g + Guava leaves 500g),
and (dung 250g + Guava leaves 750g). Compost was prepared by mixing guava
leaves with four combinations of three different species of animals studied in
the present investigation. After 60 days of observation, both vermicompost and
non-vermicompost were studied. The biological composition of compost and
vermicompost was examined at the end of the study. The earthworm biomass,
cocoon production, hatching number, and vermicompost recovery activities of two
types of earthworms were also studied. The SAS (Statistical Analysis System)
version 9.4 is used for analysis. Using different biological parameters, the
total number of microbial populations, dehydrogenase, lignin, cellulose,
hemicellulose, phenol, and humic acid was estimated. Therefore, the present
investigation shows vermicompost was the best of the two types of compost
studied, and its nutrient content was slightly higher than compost.
Consequently, applying vermicomposting increases the soil’s nutrient content
and fertility over time. Also, vermicomposting enhances plant growth and crop
yield.
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Pages:112-117
How to cite this article:
S Devanathan, S Senthilmurugan "Studies on the biological parameters of compost and vermicompost made from different livestock dung with Guava leaf wastes using indigenous earthworms". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 9, Issue 10, 2024, Pages 112-117
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