Title: Management of organic wastes by earthworms: dual benefit for environment and society

Authors: Periasamy Alagesan, Balakrishnan Vasuki

Addresses: Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, Yadava College, Madurai 625 014, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, Yadava College, Madurai 625 014, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: In the present study, two earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae were employed to degrade the vegetable wastes and agro-residues. Chemical analysis of the vermicomposts derived from vegetable wastes showed that the quantity of organic carbon was reduced from 42.1% to 31.19 and 30.19% by E. fetida and E. eugeniae, respectively. The level of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium was higher in vermicompost of vegetable wastes processed by E. eugeniae than E. fetida. An ideal C/N ratio (27.44) was observed in vegetable vermicompost processed by E. eugeniae. Similarly, E. eugeniae worked vegetable waste vermicompost positively altered the height, number and area of leaves, fruit length and weight of Abelmoschus esculentus.

Keywords: vermicomposting; Eisenia fetida; Eudrilus eugeniae; Abelmoschus esculentus; waste management; organic waste; earthworms; vegetable waste; agro-residues; nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium; calcium.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2010.037274

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2010 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.327 - 338

Published online: 01 Dec 2010 *

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