Effect of Different Feeding Materials on the Trace and Nutrient Elements of Vermicompost using Eisenia fetida

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influences of different feeding materials on the physico-chemical parameters of vermicompost using Eisenia fetida. In this study, four treatments, with the same conditions in terms of organic wastes type were prepared to produce vermicompost from hazelnut husk (% 100), tea plant waste (%100), hazelnut husk (A) (% 50) + tea plant waste (B) (50%), hazelnut husk (A) (30%) + tea plant waste (30%) + cow dung (20%) + sawdust (15%) + waste newspaper (%5) using earthworms. The standard laboratory analysis methods were used to determine the physical and chemical parameters in the different produced vermicomposts. The mean N content in the growing medium A, B, C, and D was 1,41%, 2,5%, 1,96%, and 1,47% respectively. The mean phosphorus content in the growing medium A, B, C, and D was 807,69 mg/kg, 1748,25 mg/kg, 1491,25 mg/kg, and 1410,75 mg/kg respectively. The mean potassium in the growing medium A, B, C, and D was 11244,69 mg/kg, 7790 mg/kg, 6884,25 mg/kg, and 8006,25 mg/kg respectively. Compared to the initial vermibed mixture, the N, P, and K content was higher in all the growing mediums. The Pb, Cd and As content was lower in all the growing mediums in the final compost than the initial vermibed mixture. Eisenia fetida is very effective in converting some waste materials into high-quality compost and decreasing the heavy metal content in the final vermicompost more than in the initial vermibed mixture.