Vermicomposting of different types of waste using Eisenia foetida: a comparative study

Abstract

A study (100 days duration) was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of an exotic earthworm species (epigeic-Eisenia foetida) for decomposition of different types of organic substrates (kitchen waste, agro-residues, institutional and industrial wastes including textile industry sludge and fibres) into valuable vermicompost. The percentage of, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in vermicompost was found to increase while pH and total organic carbon declined as a function of the vermicomposting period. 4.4-5.8-fold increases in TKN was observed in different feed mixtures at the end of vermicomposting period. The increase in TKN for different feed substrates was found in the order: textile sludge>textile fibre=institutional waste>agro-residues>kitchen waste. Available Phosphorus increased 1.4 to 6.5-fold in different feed mixtures in comparison to control. Reduction in TOC was highest in agro-residues (3-fold) followed by kitchen waste (2.2-fold), institutional waste (1.7-fold) and textile industrial wastes (sludge, 1.5-fold and fibre, 1.68-fold) in earthworm-inoculated pots than control. The data reveals that vermicomposting (using E. foetida) is a suitable technology for the decomposition of different types of organic wastes (domestic as well as industrial) into value-added material.