Title: Growth and reproduction of Eisenia foetida in various industry waste sludge during vermicomposting: a laboratory investigation

Authors: J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Hiren Soni, Rita N. Kumar, Narendra Patil

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science and Technology (EST), Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India. ' Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology andlied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vidyanagar 388 121, Gujarat, India. ' Department of Biosciences and Environmental Sciences, N.V. Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India. ' Department of Biosciences and Environmental Sciences, N.V. Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The effect of industrial waste sludge on growth and reproduction on earthworm Eisenia foetida was studied. Earthworms, cow-dung and soil were collected from local farm, and industrial waste sludge from industries – United Phosphorus Ltd. (UPL), Enviro Technology Ltd. (ETL), Deepak Dye Industry (DDI) and Doshi Ion Industry (DII). Chemical properties, biomass gain, natality and hatchling of E. foetida were recorded. UPL sludge was inhibitory and toxic, followed by ETL; whereas DDI and DII sludge were least toxic. Change in chemical contents of sludge in response to E. foetida and their impact on biomass, cocoon and hatchling production is discussed.

Keywords: earthworm Eisenia foetida; industrial waste sludge; chemical properties; growth; hatchlings; mortality; vermicomposting; biomass gain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.032015

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.379 - 391

Published online: 04 Mar 2010 *

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