Enhancing Bioconversion Efficiency of the Earthworm Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kingberg) by Fortifying the Filtermud Vermibed using an Organic Nutrient

Abstract

Problem statement: Rapid urbanization and population growth are largely responsible for very high increasing rate of solid waste in the urban areas, its proper management and recycling is major problems of Municipal Corporation. Conversion of industrial wastes in to beneficial vermicompost not only solves solid waste accumulation but also yield highly nutritive organic manure. Approach: Enhancing the efficiency of earthworm that is involved in process of converting sugar mill filter press mud in to vermicompost, will be highly economical. An African earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae was used to convert the sugar mill filter press mud into nutritive vermicompost. To enhance vermicomposting efficiency, an organic nutrient preparation Jeevamirtham, an effective microbial suspension was supplemented. Results: The vermicompost yielded in Jeevamirtham supplemented vermibed had a significantly high nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrient value. In the Jeeamirtham supplemeted vermicompost C/N ratio was 55.5% higher than that was present in the cowdung added vermicompost. In filtermud-Jeevamirtham, vermibed the mean egg production by a single worm at 45 days of growth was 12±2.6 (33.33%). Jeevamirtham had influenced the egg production. When compared to filtermud-cowdung vermibed reared worm, (77.4%) the hatchability of eggs in filtermud jeevamirtham vermibed was high (85.8%). This indicates that the jeevamirtham supplementation strengthens viability of the eggs. Conclusion: The present study recommends utilization of effective microorganism suspension, Jeevamirtham for vermicomposting to enhance the functioning of the earthworm and to increase fertilizer value of vermicompost. In the present study also macronutrient and micronutrient content increased significantly in vermicompost prepared from pressmud waste due to the supplementation of Jeevamirtham. This is practical significance if adopted by urban farmers as a result of soil health and in turn the productivity of soil can be maintained for further agriculture.