The Effect of Inoculation with Eisenia foetida and N-Fixing or P-Solubilizing Microorganisms on Decomposition of Cattle Dung and Crop Residues

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azotobacter chroococcum, and phosphate solubilizing fungi, Aspergillus awamori, caused marked decrease in C:N ratio and increase in P concentration of vermicompost prepared from farm wastes and cattle dung with Eisenia foetida. Inoculated microbial count was maximum (29.7 × 106 g−1 of vermicompost A. chroococcum; 18.7 × 103 g−1 of vermicompost A. awamori) on day 45. Similarly, the enzymes dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase showed maximum activity of 867.7 μg TPF g−1 vermicompost h−1 and 327.5 μg of p-nitrophenol released g−1 vermicompost h−1, respectively, on day 45 and then declined on day 90. The phytohormone indole acetic acid was also detected in vermicompost, produced by microorganisms. Increase in P concentration and decrease in C:N ratio was higher in microbial and worm inoculated treatments than in the control, which indicates maturation of vermicompost.