Chemical and Physical Characterization of Vermicompost Produced from Organic Substrates

Abstract

The present research was based on the evaluation of some physical and chemical properties of humus, using Eisenia foetida for the transformation of substrates. It was established under a completely randomized experimental design, six treatments were evaluated: T1; Bovine manure, T2; Sheep manure, T3; Cocoa shell, T4; 50% Bovine Manure and 50% Sheep Manure; T5; 50% Bovine manure and 50% Cocoa shell, T6; 50% Sheep manure and 50% Cocoa shell, with four repetitions respectively. The variables evaluated were major elements (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg), as well as the C/N ratio, pH, MO, granulometry and EC. The results showed that the type of manure directly influences the quality of humus as a substrate, highlighting T2 with 0.486% in P. It is important to note that the origin, age and storage of the materials influence the mineral composition and part of the plant used, such as the cocoa fruit, which is a sink in K, reflecting T3 with 2.723% in K, 2.116% in N and 37.089% in MO above all treatments. Therefore, the choice of materials and their pre-composting processes must be adequate to feed the worms and some physical and chemical parameters required to obtain the quality and quantity of humus as a substrate, since an unexamined decision can reach to increase the mortality of worms by 100%.