Physico-chemical characterization of vermicompost and enriched vermicompost

Abstract

To assess vermicompost derived from agricultural wastes as a bedding material and to identify an enriched vermicompost (EVC) that is superior over conventional vermicompost (CV). Vermicompost is a type of compost made from cow dung and paddy straw. The experiment was carried out with two different types of sources animal excreta and plant biomass. These Vermicompost’s were tested for moisture content, bulk density (BD), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), azotobacter, rhizobium and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) by standard procedures. At maturity enriched vermicompost content TOC (6.10%), N (33.02%), P (66.39%), K (9.10%), S (35%), Ca (88.06%), Fe (26.06%), Cu (23.48%), Mn (30.78%), Zn (19.79%), azotobacter (15.55%), rhizobium (4.65%) and PSB (40.54%) respectively which higher than normal vermicompost. Total P content increased when cow dung with rock phosphate and phosphate solubilizing bacteria was used as one of the bedding materials. It was concluded that the animal excreta and agriculture waste used as bedding material has the greatest influence on the physical, chemical and biological of matured vermicompost. Since vermicompost have a high nutritive value and a low C:N ratio, they are suitable for use in the field.