Vermicomposting and Micro Flora Analysis of Vermicompost, Vermicast and Gut of Red Earthworm
In this experiment agricultural and kitchen wastes were fed to red earthworm, Eisenia foetida, for two months and chemical analysis of the resulting vermicompost samples showed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content were significantly higher than those of other composts prepared in a traditional way.
Abstract
Vermicomposting ensures a quick method of composting kitchen refuses and other garden as well as solid wastes. In this experiment agricultural and kitchen wastes were fed to red earthworm, Eisenia foetida , for two months. Chemical analysis of the resulting vermicompost samples showed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content were significantly higher than those of other composts prepared in a traditional way. Successful composting of organic wastes is dependent on microorganisms producing specific enzymes to convert complex molecules into energy, cellular constituents and metabolic products. The microflora analysis showed that bacteria predominated followed by fungi and actinomycetes. Bacteria included Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Micmcoccus, Azotobacter. Beijerinckia and Derxia. Fungal flora included Aspergillus Mucor; Rhizopus, Fusarium, Curvularia and Geotricum where as actinomycetes included Micromonospora , Nocardia and Streptomyces.