Abstract
Vermicomposting is a non-thermophilic biodegradation of organic material through interaction between earthworm and micro-organisms resulting in production of vermicompost. This study emphasizes on the heterotrophic microbial count during vermicomposting of the organic content of municipal solid waste. The heterotrophic microbial count (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) of the vermicomposts of municipal organic solid waste (MOSW) and agricultural waste (AW) comprising of crop residue was done for about 90 days taking the microbial count at an interval of 15 days till 90 days. Two species of earthworms viz Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus euginae were used for vermicomposting. It was observed that there was a marked increase in the above mentioned microbial count after inoculation of earthworms. The bacterial count of MOSW increased steadily in both species of worms. A similar pattern was also followed in the case of AW. However, the fungal and actinomycetes count had fluctuations which differed in both species in the respective substrates. Key words: Vermicomposting, earthworm, actinomycetes count, microbial count, municipal solid waste.
Highlights
Heterotrophic c micrrobial count c d during g vemic compo osting of municip m pal sollid was ste
In the municipal organic solid waste (MOSW), there was a gradual increase in the bacterial count from the 0th day onwards
The fungal count in the case of MOSW increased to 2 folds and 1.88 folds in case of agricultural waste (AW)
Summary
Heterotrophic c micrrobial count c d during g vemic compo osting of municip m pal sollid was ste. The e process of vermicompos sting involves s the bioxidation and d stabilisation n of organic c matter by the compou und action of earth hworms and microorganisms It results in the bio oconversion of o the waste stream into tw wo use eful products,, earthworm biomass and vermicompo ost. Actinomycetes and fungi help in the degradation of complex organic molecules such as cellulose, lignin, chitin and proteins (Aira et al, 2006) These fungi play a crucial role in the mineralisation process; apart from the fact that they are associated with medicinal plants, mostly the endophytic fungi (Rajagopal et al, 2011). In the present study, vermicomposting of the organic component of the municipal solid waste and vermicomposting of crop residue was done employing 2 species of earthworms viz Eisenia fetida (Ef) and Eudrilus euginae (Ee) for about 90 days. At an interval of every 15 days, the bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes count were done
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