Estimation of physico-chemical parameters of different combinations of buffalo dung with cane sugar bagasse by Vermic activity of earthworm Lampito mauritii

Abstract

Overpopulation, pollution, industrialization, and urbanization are the main contributors to environmental deterioration and the production of solid waste. There are many ways to reduce the amount of organic waste that is disposed of in landfills. This covers vermicomposting, recycling, and composting of organic materials. With the aid of earthworms, vermicomposting is one of the most effective, affordable, and environmentally sustainable ways to turn organic wastes into high-quality manure. This study is aimed to investigate the physico-chemical alterations of sugarcane bagasse mixed with various combinations of buffalo dung following the processing of the earthworm Lampito mauritii. After vermic activity of Lampito mauritii, different combinations of sugarcane bagasse combined with buffalo dung showed a substantial decline in pH, EC, TOC, and C/N ratio and a significant rise in TKN, TK, TAP, and TCa when compared to the initial feed mixture. There was significant increase in total kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) 46.25% in SCB+BD (1:1), total avilable phosphorus (TAP) 52.63% in SCB+BD (2:1), total potassium (TK) 35.13% in SCB+BD (1:1), total calcium (TCa) 52 % in BD and significant decreased in C:N ratio 69.74% in SCB+BD (1:1), total organic carbon (TOC) 54.82% in BD, electrical conductivity (EC) 54.16% in BD of final vermicompost with respect to initial feed mixture. The pH of initial feed mixture in all the combination tends to decrease. According to the findings, Lampito mauritii speed up the mineralization process and transformed manures into castings with increased nutritional content. These composts are suitable for use in agricultural fields since they have a low C: N ratio and high nutritional content, which will improve crop output.