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VOL. 9, ISSUE 9 (2024)
Physicochemical analysis of compost and vermicompost of banana and water hyacinth leaf wastes processed by using the earthworm Eisenia fetida
Authors
V Abinaya, S Devanathan, S Senthilmurugan
Abstract
Vermicomposting is a viable biotechnology process for recycling
forestry-livestock organic waste materials because it decomposes and stabilizes
residues thus it contributes to diminishing environmental problems. This
promising technology not only decreases the subsistence of solid waste but also
produces valuable plant nutrients. The present study deals with the
vermiconversion of leaf wastes of Banana leaves and Water hyacinth leaves into
vermicompost by using the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The compost (without
worms) and vermicompost (with earthworm) Eisenia fetida is produced by a
mixture of different individual organic wastes with cow dung in the ratio of
1:1 on a dry weight basis. All the experimental sets both compost (T1-
Banana leaf with cow dung, T2- Water hyacinth leaf with cow dung, T3-
Banana leaf and Water hyacinth leaf with cow dung) and vermicompost (VT1,
VT2 and VT3) were maintained with moisture (70-80%) and
temperature (25-300C). All the experimental sets were terminated
after 60 days. Both compost and vermicompost were collected separately in
polythene bags and were analyzed for the nutrient status. All the parameters
(pH, EC, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) were slightly more in the
vermicompost produced by the action of epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida
than in the normal compost produced by the saprophytic micro-organisms except
organic carbon (OC). Vermicompost had higher quantity of all essential
physicochemical parameters, macro and micro plant nutrients indicating the
achievement of getting an environmentally friendly nutrients rich fertilizer
than the compost (without worm) for the agriculture.
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Pages:1-7
How to cite this article:
V Abinaya, S Devanathan, S Senthilmurugan "Physicochemical analysis of compost and vermicompost of banana and water hyacinth leaf wastes processed by using the earthworm <i>Eisenia fetida</i>". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 9, Issue 9, 2024, Pages 1-7
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