Alternative Feed Sources for Vermicompost Production

Abstract

Locally-available materials could be used to address soil fertility constraints. Vermicomposting is a promising technology where various organic materials are converted into processed compost by earthworms. This study evaluated local feed sources and their potential for vermicompost production. The vermicompost production was carried out in the plastic container under a roofed and net-sided production house. The plot design was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with nine replications. Vermiculture feedstock treatments were cow manure (CM) and three cow manure and alternative feed stock treatments (75:25 on a dry basis) that included water hyacinth (WH), used coffee grounds (coffee), or Azolla. The results showed that cow manure combined with Azolla tended to produce more vermicompost after four weeks, but post-harvest earthworm weight was lower. The cow manure treatment produced higher earthworm weights. However, the earthworm population was not influenced by feed sources. The chemical characteristics of vermicompost were not different among feed source ratios or combination. A comparison of the feed stock material before and after vermiculture composting show that EC and total P increased in the compost, total K, organic C and the C:N ratio decreased, but pH and Total N remained constant.