Abstract
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON WASTE DECOMPOSED USING DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EARTHWORMS
Shivakumar B. P. and Sanjana M. S.*
ABSTRACT
Green waste is an important fraction of urban greening and recently composting of which is challenging due to presence of lignin, which is highly resistant to decomposition. Green waste is either burnt or disposed with other waste which ends up in landfills which makes it again complex to treat. Vermicomposting has received attention as it is environmental friendly even if it takes longer time to degrade organic matter. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the major nutrient status of vermicompost of different green waste processed by two species of earthworms namely Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae and to compare the efficacy of these earthworms regarding the decomposition of green waste. The physical parameters like Moisture content, pH and EC were recorded along with macronutrients of soil, the amount of organic materials like nitrogen, pH, EC, Phosphorus, potassium, TOC were analysed at the beginning and end of the experiment. The inoculation period, development and cocoon production of the species were also investigated. Result showed that degradation rate was faster in Eisenia fetida whereas higher multiplication rate was found in Eudrilus euginae in fruit and vegetable waste.
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