Title: Management of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic weed waste, by vermicomposting technology

Authors: Snehalata R. Ankaram; Laxmi C. Mushan; K.R. Rao

Addresses: Department of Zoology, Walchand College of Arts and Science, Ashok Chowk, Solapur 413006, Maharashtra, India. ' Department of Zoology, D.B.F College of Arts and Science, Solapur, Maharashtra, India. ' Department of Zoology, Walchand College of Arts and Science, Ashok Chowk, Solapur 413006, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Water hyacinth has become a menace in Sambhaji tank, Solapur city, Maharashtra, India. An attempt has been made to convert this water hyacinth into a nutrient rich vermicompost using the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. The macronutrient and microbial analysis of vermicompost at various intervals of time has been studied and compared with decomposing water hyacinth. It was found that nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and moisture were increased while organic carbon, C/N ratio, EC and pH were decreased. Microbial study revealed an increase in total count when compared with decomposed water hyacinth. The study of macronutrients is first of its kind in the water hyacinth vermicompost. The present work is a viable alternative for managing solid waste and pollution.

Keywords: water hyacinth weed; Eudrilus eugeniae; C:N ratio; vermicomposting; microbial count; weed waste; aquatic weeds; India; earthworms; worms; Eudrilus eugeniae; macronutrients; water pollution; solid waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2012.049222

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2012 Vol.15 No.3/4/5/6, pp.195 - 207

Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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