Journal of Environmental Biology

Vermicomposting of paper mill solid waste using epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae

S. Ponmani¹*, C. Udayasoorian², R.M. Jayabalakrishnan² and K. Vinoth Kumar²

¹Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Chettinad-630 102, India

²Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ponmaniphd@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

10 July 2012

Revised received:

15 June 2013

Revised received:

18 August 2013

Accepted:

12 September 2013

Abstract

A 90 day study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of an exotic earthworm species (Eudrilus eugeniae) for decomposition of different types of organic substrates (mixed liquor suspended solids, cow dung and leaf litter) into valuable vermicompost. Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and leaf litter (LL) were mixed with cow dung (CD) in eight different ratios with three replicates for each treatment. All vermibeds expressed a significant decrease in pH, organic carbon, C:N ratio and an increase in total nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. Overall, earthworms could maximize decomposition and mineralization efficiency in bedding with lower proportions of MLSS. Maximum value for earth worm zoo mass and higher concentration of nutrient content was observed in CD + MLSS + LL in 1:1:2 ratios. Earthworm mortality tended to increase with increasing proportion of MLSS and maximum mortality in E. eugeniae was recorded for MLSS treatment alone. Results indicate that vermicomposting might be useful for managing the energy and nutrient of MLSS on a low-input basis. Products of this process can be used for sustainable land restoration practices.   

 Key words

Cow dung, Eudrilus eugeniae, Leaf litter, Paper mill MLSS, Vermicomposting

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