A Synergetic Approach of Agricultural Waste Management through vermicomposting

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the vermicomposting potential of epigeic earthworm, Eisenia foetida for rice straw and cow dung. The experiment comprised of ten treatments T_{1 -} [Chopped Rice straw + cow dung (1:1)] + 1kg worm), T₂ - [Unchopped Rice straw + cow dung (1:1)] + 1kg worm), T₃ - [Chopped Rice straw + cow dung (1:1)] + 2kg worm), T₄ - [Unchopped Rice straw + cow dung (1:1)]+ 2kg worm), T_{5 -} [Chopped Rice straw (70%) + soil (10%) + cow dung (20%) + 1kg worm], T₆ - [unchopped Rice straw (70%) + soil (10%) + cow dung (20%) + 1kg worm], T₇ - [Chopped Rice straw (70%) + soil (10%) + cow dung (20%) + 2kg worm], T₈ - [Unchopped Rice straw (70%) + soil (10%) + cow dung (20%) + 2kg worm], T₉ - [cow dung + 1kg worm] and T₁₀ - [cow dung only], single replicate arranged in a randomized block design. The experimental results revealed that out of all the treatments, higher values of N, P and K were observed in T₇ - Chopped Rice straw (70%) + soil (10%) + cow dung (20%) + 2 kg worm. The micronutrient content was also found higher in this treatment with higher biomass production. The multiplication of earthworms was significantly higher than only cow dung and other treatments. The vermicompost produced can be of significant value to the end users like farmers for replacement of chemical fertilizers and procuring better prices for the organic produce using such composting material locally available at much lower cost. Vermicomposting might prove to be a positive approach towards sustainable waste management system.