Vermicomposting of municipal solid waste using indigenous earthworm Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

Abstract

The overpopulation exploration developed and developing countries have led to the production of large quantities of municipal solid waste (MSW). The waste generated is consequently discharge into the atmosphere. In India enormous quantities of disposable organic wastes materials like MSW rich in nutrients were presented. Though macro nutrients (Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), and micro nutrients are available more in MSW, it is not properly recycled (or) decomposed (or) bio-composting (vermicomposting). Raw MSW cannot be eaten directly by earthworms due to its offensive odour, heavy metals, water leachate etc. So the organic wastes such as dairy farm waste - cowdung and a sugar industrial waste - pressmud with soil high nutritive content were mixed in equal proportion and used as bedding material (BM).The experimental media were prepared on dry weight basis by mixing the MSW + BM in the following percentage: T1 – 20% BM + 80% MSW, T2 – 40% BM + 60% MSW, T3 – 60% BM + 40% MSW, T4 – 80% BM + 20% MSW, controls (BM alone) were also maintained separately. To observe the changes in pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC) and macro nutrients (N, P, K) and carbon: nitrogen (C:N) ratio in the initial substrate and vermicomposts of earthworm from the above mentioned media at the intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 th day.The alteration of pH near neutral was observed in the vermicomposts of T4 it might be due to higher acid production by vermicomposts. Higher EC values were achieved in the vermicomposts of T4 it could be due to the higher mineralization by salts. The chemical analysis of vermicompost showed significant increase in the level of macro nutrients over worm unworked compost (initial) mixture. Among the different experimental proportions T4 showed significant increase in the level of macro nutrients. Reduced content of organic carbon was observed in all the treatments but most reduction was found in T4.The drastic reduction in C:N ratio were found in the vermicomposts. The large quantities of degradable organic waste available in municipalities and road sides can be vermicomposted along with any organic additives to convert into the valuable organic manure. In addition to this, it may be recommended that the vermicompost from MSW is utilized for sustainable organic agriculture.