Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms (Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus)<br />
Journal Title: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology - Year 2008, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
The composting potential of two epigeic earthworms (P. excavatus and P. sansibaricus) was studied in 2002 to breakdown the domestic waste under laboratory conditions. The experimental container with P. sansibaricus showed maximum mineralization and decomposition rate than that of P. excavatus. Except for exchangeable K (it was higher (P = 0.004) in a container with P. excavatus), the domestic waste processed by P. sansibaricus showed about 6% more total nitrogen (P = 0.002) and about 7% more available P (P = 0.269) at the end than by P. excavatus. As compared with the initial level organic C content as well as C:N ratio showed a considerable reduction that was noted higher in substrate with P. sansibaricus than those by P. excavatus (organic C, t-test: P = 0.870; C:N ratio, t-test: P = 0.002). The growth (biomass increase) and reproduction parameters such as mean individual live weight, maximum individual growth rate (mg wt./worm/day), number of cocoons and reproduction rate (cocoon/worm/day) were higher in bedding with P. sansibaricus. The maximum earthworm mortality was in vermibed having P. sansibaricus (~50% higher than by P. excavatus) (t-test: P = 0.423), since both species did not show a drastic difference in waste mineralization rate, but comparatively, P. excavatus exhibited better growth and reproduction performance, which further support the suitability of the species for large scale vermiculture operations.
Authors and Affiliations
S. Suthar
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP118502
- DOI -
- Views 105
- Downloads 0
The comparative study of trihalomethanes in drinking water
The purpose of this study was to assess exposure of four trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform) in drinking waters of Okinawa Island and Samoa. Trihalomethanes compounds we...
Effect of salinity on chlorophyll concentration, leaf area, yield and yield components of rice genotypes grown under saline environment
Salt tolerance in eighteen advanced rice genotypes was studied under an artificially salinized (EC=8.5 dSm-1) soil conditions after 90 days of transplanting. The results showed that the yield per plant, chlorophyll conce...
Assessment of the impact of industrial effluents on water quality of receiving rivers in urban areas of Malawi<br />
A study was carried out in Malawi to assess the extent of chemical pollution in a receiving river as affected by industrial effluents. Both the effluents and the water at selected points in the river were analysed for pH...
Destroying hills in the northeastern part of Bangladesh:<br /> A qualitative assessment of extent of the problem and its probable impac
Indiscriminate cutting of hills in the Sylhet region has become a major environmental issue. The nature and life style of Sylhet intimately related with the hills are thus under the threat of a drastic imbalance in its e...
Daily air pollution time series analysis of Isfahan City
Different time series analysis of daily air pollution of Isfahan city were performed in this study. Descriptive analysis showed different long-term variation of daily air pollution. High persistence in daily air pollutio...