Reuse of agricultural wastes, manure, and biochar as an organic amendment: A review on its implications for vermicomposting technology

Abstract

This review mainly aims to present the current issue of eco-agricultural wastes tremendously increasing day by day, thereby causing threats to the environment and agricultural systems. Proper management can help reduce wastes by reusing and recycling organic wastes through scientific and eco-friendly techniques. This review evaluated the vermicompost's role in sustainable crop nutrient recycling, particularly nitrogen (N) recovery (76%), by assessing the possibility of using earthworm species in an agronomic ecosystem. A scientific knowledge of organic material management for sustainable, organic farming to learn N supply and retention under vermicompost application was provided. The reuse and nutrient recovery of vermicompost at appropriate carbon to nitrogen ratios (10–23), mitigation of reactive nitrogen gases emissions, ammonia NH 3 volatilization (3–15 kg N ha −1 ), soil fertility , and the use of renewable source application as fertilizers were emphasized. On the basis of literature reviews and several experiments, a recommendation was presented with novelties, innovations, sustainability , and future research directions for the importance of the sustainable use of vermicomposting technology in an agroecosystem. It may help solve a number of issues related to the reduction in environmental pollution , waste management , and human health risks. • Earthworms enhance the nutrients status, particularly N during vermicomposting. • Preparation of vermicompost using biochar and its application are discussed. • The C:N ratio regulates the NH 3 and greenhouse gas emission during vermicomposting. • Bioconversion of organic wastes to organic fertilizers is a sustainable approach.