Title: Nutrient recycling and management of press mud, parthenium and biogas plant slurry employing earthworms

Authors: Pritam Sangwan, C.P. Kaushik, V.K. Garg

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India. ' Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India. ' Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India

Abstract: Sugar industry has been included in the list of the most polluting industries. The aim of this study was to transform sugar mill sludge (PM) and Parthenium amended with Biogas Plant Slurry (BPS) into vermicompost employing Eisenia fetida. In all the waste mixtures, a decrease in pH, TOC, TK and C : N ratio, but increase in TKN and TP was recorded. Maximum worm biomass and growth rate was attained in ||25% PM + 50% BPS + 25% Parthenium weed|| waste mixture. The results indicated that Parthenium along with PM could be converted into good-quality manure by earthworms if mixed in appropriate ratio with BPS.

Keywords: sugar mills; parthenium; press mud; BPS; biogas plant slurry; nutrient recovery; Eisena fetida; nutrient recycling; sugar mill sludge; worm biomass; manure; earthworms; vermicomposting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.039477

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.382 - 394

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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