Title: Renovation of horticultural waste into organic fertiliser by vermicomposting technology: approach for solid waste management

Authors: G. Subbulakshmi; R. Thiruneelakandan

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, Mahabarathi Engineering College, Chinna Salem, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Chemistry, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, University College of Engineering, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli, India

Abstract: Horticulture products which are produced in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu have unique demand all over India. The production of horticultural products leads to enormous amount of horticultural wastes. Wastes recycling can bring tremendous benefits to agriculture and land management in long run. On the other hand vermicompost and vermiwash can be used for all crops as bio-fertilisers. Vermicomposting can be used for solid waste management and the production of bio-fertilisers. The aim of this study is to utilise these waste for the production of vermicompost using Eisenia fetida and Eudrillus Eugenia after mixing with cow dung and soil. Vermicomposting is performed for the period of 85 days and physicochemical analysis showed decreased in TOC, TOM and C: N and increased in NPK content. The results show that vermicompost produced by E.fetida possesses higher nutrient contents than that of E.fetida possesses and can be used for effective production of vermicompost using horticultural wastes.

Keywords: horticultural waste; earthworm; cow dung; vermicomposting technology; vermiwash; organic fertiliser; nutrient recycling; plant growth.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2018.094022

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2018 Vol.17 No.2/3, pp.162 - 176

Received: 13 Mar 2017
Accepted: 18 Aug 2017
Published online: 13 Aug 2018 *

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