COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE LEVELS OF VITAMINS DURING VERMICOMPOSTING OF FRUIT WASTES BY EUDRILUS EUGENIAE AND EISENIA FETIDA

Abstract

Organic wastes are extensively increasing with increased human populations, intensive agriculture and industrialization. The disposal of wastes has become important for a healthy quality of environment. In this regard recycling of utilizable organic wastes is feasible. The recycling of wastes through vermicomposting reduces problems of disposal of organic wastes. Vermicomposting, a novel technique of converting decomposable organic wastes into valuable vermicompost through earthworm activity is a faster and better process when compared with the conventional methods of composting. Within a very short period, a good quality compost rich in nutrient and vitamins is prepared, which is a highly efficient, cost effective and ecologically sound input for agriculture. The present study was carried out to find the changes in the levels of vitamins namely vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C present in fruit wastes during vermicomposting at different time intervals (15, 30 and 45 days) by Eudrilus eugeniae and Eiseniae fetida. The levels of vitamin A, E, and C were found to be higher in fruit wastes degraded by Eisenia fetida than Eudrilus eugeniae.