Advances in Vermicomposting of Agricultural Solid Organic Wastes and Application of Vermicompost

Abstract

Agricultural solid organic wastes caused serious contamination to the atmosphere,water,soil and organisms.However,it is also bio-resource which can be recycled.Vermicomposting is a stabilization of organic waste materials involving the joint action of earthworms and microorganisms.The products of vermicomposting,i.e.vermicompost,with relatively high concentration of plant nutrients and humic acid contents,resulted from biological degradation and stabilization of organic matter obtained when earthworms decomposed agricultural wastes.This paper mainly reviewed some affecting factors in vermicomposting,such as earthworm cultivars,temperature,humidity,C / N ratio,pH,earthworms density,etc.Moreover,the physical and chemical aspects of vermicompost,and the comprehensive utilization of vermicompost were also reviewed.It was pointed out that effectively vermicomposting of agricultural solid organic wastes and improving the efficiency and the range of vermicompost application would be major research fields in future.