Download - Optimization of vermicomposting technique for sugarcane waste management by using Eisenia fetida
143 Pandit and Maheshwari
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS
Optimization of vermicomposting technique for sugarcane
waste management by using Eisenia fetida
Nitin Prakash Pandit*, Sanjiv Kumar Maheshwari
School of Biotechnology, IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, Delhi Road (NH-24), Moradabad
244102, Uttar Pradesh, India
Received: 04 September 2012 Revised: 22 September 2012 Accepted: 23 September 2012
Key words: Eisenia fetida, Optimization, Sugarcane wastes, Vermicomposting
Abstract
Sugarcane industries generate large amount of waste in the form of bagasse and pressmud per day. Most of the
part of these wastes are usually burnt in the field due to lack of proper management techniques, which creates
severe environmental pollution and health hazards, hence it was thought to attempt use sugarcane pressmud and
bagasse for cheap and ecofriendly treatment methods like vermicomposting. It is the proces of compost formation
by earthworms. Earthworms are crucial drivers of the process, by fragmenting and conditioning the organic solid
substrate and dramatically altering its biological activity. In this study, both wastes were pretreated with an
organic nutrient preparation Jeevamrutham (effective microbial suspension) for 15 days at 30°c than it was used
to fill up in 2 kg capacity plastic tubs and earthworm Eisenia fetida was used to convert this raw materials into
highly nutritive vermicompost. The process were subjected for optimization of parameters like temperature of
vermireactor, pH of material, particle size of wastes and moisture content of reactor by using Eisenia fetida earth
worm species for six weeks. It was found that 25°C temperature, pH 7.0, 1-2mm particle size, 80% moisture
content were optimum parameters of vermicomposting of sugarcane wastes through this earthworm species. It
was further found that vermicompost obtained by above method was rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium,
Sodium, Calcium, Magnessium content i.e. 2.3, 2.57, 1.72, 3.34, 2.27 and 1.98 % respectively, while it was also
rich in some micronutrients i.e. Iron, Zinc, Magneese, Copper, Boron and Aluminium content i.e. 1052, 163, 407,
167, 276 and 964 ppm respectively. Thus, vermicomposting of sugarcane waste is a cheap, excellent and
ecofriendly method of sugarcane waste management.
*Corresponding Author: Nitin Prakash Pandit [email protected]
International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online)
Vol. 2, No. 10(1), p. 143-155, 2012 http://www.innspub.net
144 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
Introduction
Pressmud and Bagasse are commonly known as
major wastes of the sugar industry. Sugarcane
pressmud & bagassi are soft, spongyamorphous and
dark brown to brownish white material containing
lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose fibres. Lignin
degradation takes more time because of its
structural complexity (Buswell, 1995). Lignin is a
natural polymer having complex three dimensional
structure, the phenolic compounds. While cellulose
and starch contain glucose units. Pectins contain
galacturonic acid monomers. Hemicelluloses
contain mannans, xylans and galactans. Due to lack
of proper waste management techniques either it is
discharged openly or along roadsides or railway
tracks or stored in the sugar mill premises
(Parthasarthi et al., 2008). Besides the loss of
organic matter and plant nutrients, burning of crop
residues also causes atmospheric pollution due to
the emission of toxic gases methane, carbon dioxide
that poses threat to human and ecosystem.
Vermicomposting is a decomposition process
involving the joint action of earthworms and
microorganisms under which earthworms recycles
the organic waste residues and significantly
increases the amount of N, P and K, Ca, Mg, useful
microorganisms, (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes
and protozoa) hormones, enzymes and vitamins and
certain micronutrients needed for plant growth
(Lee, 1985, Bansal and Kapoor, 2000, Jambhekar,
1992). By using variety of earthworms, number of
wastes those containing high quantity of cellulose,
hemi cellulose, lignin, starch etc. can be converted
into vermicompost (Table 1). Although micro flora
present in the gut of earthworm are responsible for
the biochemical degradation of organic matter,
earthworms are crucial drivers of the process, by
fragmenting and conditioning the substrate and
dramatically altering its biological activity. One Kg
earthworm can consume one Kg organic materials
in a day. The casts of earthworms promote growth
of many important microorganisms like nitrogen
fixers and phosphate solublisers. In general in the
presence of casts and earthworms these
microorganisms multiply faster (Parle, 1963,
Satchell, 1967). Earthworms secrete mucus and
some fluids and in this way maintain pH of
surrounding between 6.5 to 7.5 which is favorable
for soil microflora. Vermicompost has sweet and
earthy pleasant smell like the smell of first rain
(Kadam, 2004).
Out of soil microflora many micro organisms can
degrade above different plant components and can
work with earth worms. The temperature, pH,
organic matter, moisture available in organic matter
and particle size and C : N ratio are the major
environmental factors which directly affect the
growth and activities of earthworm. According to
season, fluctuation is seen in the number of factors
like moisture content, temperature etc. In this
condition in earthworm’s growth, reproduction,
respiration shows variation. In unfavorable
condition they remain calm and show very
negligible activity. In recent years integrated system
of vermicomposting have been designed for the
enhancement of bioconversion efficiency of
earthworm to overcome the problem of
lignocellulosic waste degradation of different crop
residues and industrial organic by-products, under
which solid organic waste were inoculated with
some bioinoculants and subsequently
vermicomposting through earthworms (Kumar et
al., 2010).
Hence present study deals with, the sugacane waste
(especially pressmud & bagasse) admixed with
Jeevamrutham (an organic growth promoter
suspension) initialy, after partial decomposition of
waste can be an excellent raw material for
vermicomposting, than it was used for the
optimization of vermicomposting parameters (like
pH, temperature, moisture of reactor, particle size
of waste) using Eisenia fetida earth worm than
study on some physicochemical nature of
vermicompost (i.e pH, EC, C, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg,
Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Bo & Al) prepared from sugarcane
pressmud and bagasse.
145 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
Materials and methods
Jeevamrutham preparation
Two hundred liters of water was taken as a stock
solution. To which, the following ingredients were
mixed:
10 Kg desi Cowdung (Cow dung of the native
Indian breed cow, collected fresh)
5 to 10 litres of desi cow's urine. (Urine can be
collected and stored for any number of days,
does not lose quality)
2 Kg of Palmyra jaggery and 2-4 L of sugar cane
juice
Flour of black gram - best if hand ground; not
as effective if ground in a power grinders the
particle size varies
Handful of chemical free soil
First the cow dung and urine were added to water,
then jaggery, flour and soil were added together to
that solution content was stirred clockwise for
couple of minutes and this was done 3 times a day.
The solution fermented, within 48-72 h. The
solution was stored in protective sterile containers.
Sugarcane wastes
The sugarcane wastes especially Bagassi (B),
Pressmud (PM) were collected from the Simbhaouli
Sugar Mill, Simbhaoli, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh,
India. All types of sugar-cane by-products were
chopped in to small pieces (3-4 cm) & kept in shade
for 15 days on 30°C for the removal of noxious gases
and extra moisture content before using for the
vermicomposting (Sangwan et al., 2008).
Earthworms
In the present studies the well known species of
earthworm Eisenia fetida (Fig. 1) was obtained from
a vermiculture & vermicomposting unit of Bareilly
University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. The stock
culture of the earthworm was maintained in plastic
containers using cowdung as growth medium in
laboratory condition. This was further used in the
vermicomposting experiment.
Preparation of Vermicomposting container/tubs
For vermicomposting plastic tubs of size 25 X 15 cm
and of 2 kg capacity were used. The shade dried
sugar-cane residues (B & PM) were then blended
with organic growth promoter Jeevamrutham which
is rich in microbes and used as a bulking agent to
increase the C/N ratio of wastes. The mixture was
prepared by mixing 1000 ml of Jeevamrutham,
1000 g sugarcane bagasse and 1000 g sugarcane
pressmud (Moisture content of this admixture was
determined by gravimetric method (APHA, 1985)
and was adjusted to 80% by sprinkling water) and
then this admixture was used for vermicomposting
process.
General vermicomposting process
The 2 kg material was filled in the set of six plastic
tubs (in triplicate) and kept in dark for six weeks by
adding two earthworms / pot. Every week the
weight of earthworm biomass / pot and count of
cocoons / pot was taken after thorough washing and
blotting of earthworms and cocoons and then they
were reinoculated in the respective pots. This
procedure was followed for every week till six weeks
Optimization of parameters of vermicomposting
Effect of Temperature on the vermicomposting:
The temperature range selected for experiment was
15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°c taking into account
average minimum and maximum temperatures
found in the Moradabad region and in the seasonal
variations in the year. For every temperature
selected, the three plastic tubs / pots were used and
were incubated for six weeks in BOD incubators and
biomass weight of earthworm and cocoons count /
pot was taken as above.
Effect of pH of material on the vermicomposting:
The pH of vermicomposting material was adjusted
with 1 N HCL / 1 N NaOH to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and
10. The pH values adjusted materials were filled in 2
kg amount in three pots (in triplicate) and
inoculated with two earthworms per pot and
incubated in dark at 25°c for six weeks. The average
146 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot was taken
per week as above.
Effect of particle size of material on the
vermicomposting:
(pH of material was adjusted to pH 7.0). The
particle size range of material selected for
experiment was 0.5-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-4 mm, 5-10
mm, 10-20 mm and material of each particle size
was filled in three pots in 2 kg amounts (in
triplicate) and inoculated with two earthworms /
pot and incubated at 25°C for six weeks in dark. The
average biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot
was taken per week as above.
Effect of moisture content of material on the
vermicomposting:
(pH of material was adjusted to 7.0 and 1-2 mm
size). The moisture contents of vermicomposting
material was adjusted to 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 %
with water and filled in 2 kg amounts in three pots
(in triplicate) and inoculated with two earthworms /
pot and incubated at 25°c in dark for six weeks. The
average biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot
was taken per week as above.
Physicochemical analysis of the vermicompost
prepared from sugarcane waste
By using optimized parameter of vermicomposting
i.e. temperature of incubation (25°c), pH (7.0),
particle size (1-2mm) and moisture content (80%)
of organic material, vermicomposting was done in 2
kg pots (in triplicate) with preparation of 2 types of
pots (1). Control (without Eisenia fetida) (2). Test
(with Eisenia fetida) and after six weeks of
incubation the sample (compost from control and
vermicompost from test) were drawn by straining
out off juveniles (earthworms) and their cocoons
and than it was analyzed for pH, electrical
conductivity, total carbon, total nitrogen, total
phosphorus, total potassium and micronutrients.
Determinations of these parameters were carried
out by using the following procedure: Water
extracts of vermicompost were obtained by
mechanically shaking the samples with distilled
water at 1:5 (w/v) for 1 h. The suspensions glass
wool filtrates were used for the determination of pH
and electrical conductivity (Garg et.al., 2006). Total
organic carbon was estimated by using the method
of Nelson and Sommers (1982). Total Kjeldahl’s
nitrogen was determined by Bremmer and
Mulvaney (1982) procedure. Colorimetric
estimation of total phosphorus and flame
photometer determination of total potassium,
sodium was done by following the method of Bansal
and Kapoor (2000). Calcium and Magnesium were
estimated by EDTA titration method (Piper, 1966).
All other micronutrients were analyzed by flame
atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin Elmer
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) after
filtering the extracts obtained from the digestion of
the ashes with 3N HCl. The obtained data were
expressed as mean ± SD of 3 replicates. Two way
analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to
determined any significant (P < 0.05) difference
among the parameters observed.
Results and discussion
Incubation temperature optimization studies
The table 2 shows that out of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and
40°c temperatures used for incubation there was
gradual increased in biomass of earthworms and
cocoon production from 15 - 30°C temperatures at
all the six weeks incubation and maximum average
biomass of 1761 mg and average of 18 cocoons were
produced at 25°C. At the incubation temperatures
beyond 25°C i.e. 35, 40°C the earthworms could not
survive indicating 25°C being optimal when the 7.0
pH and 1- 2 mm particle size of material used. It
was reported by Munnoli, 2007, Yadav et al., 2010,
Munnoli, 1998, Tripathy and Bharadwaj 2004,
Kadam, 2004, Loehr et al., 1985 that above 30°c
high mortality of Eisenia fetida was observed. The
better biomass and cocoon production was reported
by them at 25- 30°c temperatures. It was observed
that the results of present studies regarding
vermicomposting temperature using Eisenia fetida
are constant.
147 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
pH optimization studies
The pH range of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 was used
for the studies. It is evident from table 3 that at pH
values 2, 3 and 4 and at pH 9 and 10 earthworms
did not survive indicating totally unfavorable pH.
While there was gradual increased in the average
biomass earthworms and average cocoon
production from pH 5 to 8. The maximum average
biomass obtained at the end of 6th week was 7150
mg and maximum average cocoon production of 26
at pH 7, indicating pH 7 being optimal for
vermicomposting with E. fetida at 25°c temperature
and 1-2 mm particle size. Earthworms are very
sensitive to pH, thus pH of soil or waste is
sometimes a factor that limits the distribution,
numbers and species of earthworms. It was
reported by Sivakumar, 2009 that maximum
biomass and cocoon production of E. fetida was
obtained at pH 7.0 which is consistent with present
findings. Several researchers have stated that most
species of earthworms prefer a pH of about 7.0
(Singh, 1997, Narayan, 2000, Pagaria and Totwat,
2007, Suthar, 2008). Edwards (1995) reported a
wide pH range (5.0-9.0) for maximizing the
productivity of earthworms in SOW management.
Fig. 1. Eisenia fetida.
Particle size optimization studies
The particle size ranged selected was 0.5 - 1.0, 1 - 2,
2-4, 5-10 and 10-20 mm. It is evident from table 4
that the average biomass increase and cocoon
production was gradual from 0.5 - 1 to 1 -2 mm size
i.e. 2 - 4, 5 - 10 and 10 - 20 mm the average biomass
and cocoon production was decreased. The
maximum average biomass of 1859 mg and
maximum average cocoon production of 13 was
obtained at the end of 6th week at 1- 2 mm particle
size indicating 1-2 mm particle size of material is
optimal for vermicomposting using E. fetida at pH
7.0, 25°c temperatures and 80% moisture level. It
was reported by Kadam, 2004 that maximum
biomass of E. eugeniae was attained at 1 mm
particle size using Tendu leaves (Diospyros
melanoxylon Roxb) as raw material and findings in
present investigations showed 1- 2 mm particle size
as optimal. These findings supported present results
indicating large size particles are not amenable to
earthworms.
Moisture content optimiztion studies
It is evident from table 5 that when
vermicomposting was carried out at pH 7.0 and
25°c temperature and 1 - 2 mm particle size of
material and with selected moisture levels of 50, 60,
70, 80 and 90 there was gradual increase in the
biomass of earthworms at all selected moisture
levels every week till end of 6th week but maximum
biomass increase and cocoon production was
obtained 80% moisture content viz. initial average
biomass of 175 mg to 3363 mg average biomass and
average 15 cocoons at the end of 6th week where as
at 50, 60, 70 and 90 % moisture level comparatively
less biomass and cocoon production was obtained.
It indicated that 80% moisture level was the
optimum level for vermicomposting of sugarcane
waste using E. fetida. Edwards et al., 1985 reported
suitable moisture level of 50-90 % for Eisenia
foetida and 80 - 90% being optimal, while
Dominguez and Edwards, 1997 reported 85 % as
optimal moisture level for Eisenia andrei when
grown on pig manure. Viljoen and Reinceke, 1990
reported 79-80.5% as optimal moisture level for E.
eugeniae grown on cattle manure. Dresser and
McKee, 1980 reported 50 - 80% moisture level as
suitable for vermicomposting while Kaplan,1980,
Kadam, 2004 reported maximum biogas and
cocoon production at 70 - 80% moisture level.
These reports thus support findings of present
investigations.
Table 1. Type of Solid Organic Wastes (SOW) and Earthworm species employed for Vermicomposting
Sr. No.
Solid Organic Waste (SOW)
Species employed Reference
1 Potato peels Pheretima elongate Munnoli et al., 2000
2 Canteen waste Eisenia fetida Kale, 1994; Narayan, 2000
3 Tomato skin seed Pheretima elongate Singh, 1997
4 Onion residue Eisenia fetida/Eudrilus eugeniae White, 1996
5 Board mill sludge Lumbricus terrestris Butt et al., 2005
6 Sugar cane residues Pheretima elongate Bhawalkar, 1995
7 Gaur gum Eudrilus eugeniae Suthar, 2006, 2007
8 Agricultural residues Eudrilus eugeniae Kale, 1994
9 Sago waste Lampito mauritii Rajesh et al., 2008
10 Sago waste Eisenia fetida Subramaniana et al., 2010
11 Onion waste Eudrilus eugeniae Mishra et al., 2009
12 Garlic waste Eisenia fetida Mishra et al., 2009
13 Human feces Eisenia fetida Yadav et al., 2010
14 Paper mill sludge Eisenia fetida Kaur et al., 2010
15 Press mud, bagassi, trash Drawida willsi Kumar et al., 2010
16 Press mud Perionyx ceylanensis Mani and Karmegam, 2010
Table 2. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different incubation temperatures in Vermicomposting (pH-7, particle size-
1-2 mm)
Sr.
No.
Incub.
Temp.
(°C)
Initial
Average
Bio-
Mass
(mg),
CC
Average results in different weeks / pot
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
Gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
1. 15 152,
(-)
166,
(-)
109,
(-)
182,
(3)
120,
(-)
196,
(5)
129,
(167)
207,
(6)
136,
(200)
213,
(6)
140,
(200)
215,
(6)
141,
(200)
2. 20 177,
(-)
547,
(2)
309,
(-)
834,
(4)
471,
(200)
1296,
(11)
732,
(550)
1357,
(12)
767,
(600)
1371,
(13)
775,
(650)
1379,
(14)
779,
(700)
3. 25 165,
(-)
890,
(6)
539,
(-)
1166,
(9)
706,
(150)
1714,
(15)
1039,
(250)
1730,
(17)
1048,
(283)
1755,
(18)
1063,
(300)
1761,
(18)
1067,
(300)
4. 30 160,
(-)
623,
(3)
389,
(-)
908,
(7)
567,
(233)
1383,
(12)
864,
(400)
1396,
(14)
872,
(467)
1416,
(15)
885,
(500)
1419,
(15)
887,
(500)
5. 35 174,
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6. 40 178,
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Incub. Temp.– Incubation Temperature; BM- Biomass and CC- Cocoon Count
149 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
Table 3. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different pH values of organic material in Vermicomposting (Temperature
25°C, particle size-1-2 mm)
Sr. No.
pH Initial Average
Bio- Mass (mg),
CC
Average results in different weeks / pot
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
BM (mg),
CC
% gain
BM (mg),
CC
% Gain
BM (mg),
CC
% gain
BM (mg),
CC
% Gain
BM (mg),
CC
% Gain
BM (mg),
CC
% gain
1. 2 144, (-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2. 3 170, (-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3. 4 175, (-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4. 5 183, (-)
316, (2)
173, (-)
567, (7)
310, (350)
634, (9)
346, (450)
650, (10)
355, (500)
663, (11)
362, (550)
669, (11)
365, (550)
5. 6 140, (-)
3677, (6)
2626, (-)
4706, (13)
3361, (216)
5136, (17)
3668, (283)
5251, (18)
3750, (300)
5295, (19)
3782, (317)
5335, (19)
3810, (317)
6. 7 164, (-)
5446, (9)
3320, (-)
6177, (17)
3766, (189)
7002, (22)
4269, (244)
7086, (23)
4320 (255)
7120, (25)
4341, (278)
7150, (26)
4359, (288)
7. 8 180, (-)
4361, (5)
2422, (-)
5522, (12)
3067, (240)
5884, (14)
3268, (280)
5932, (15)
3295 (300)
6037, (15)
3354, (300)
6053, (16)
3362, (320)
8. 9 175 (-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9. 10 153 (-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Incub. Temp.– Incubation Temperature; BM- Biomass and CC- Cocoon Count
Table 4. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different Particle Sizes of Vermicomposting Material (pH 7, Temperature of
incubation - 25°C)
Sr.
No.
Particle
Sizes
(mm)
Initial
Average
Bio-
Mass
(mg),
CC
Average results in different weeks / pot
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
BM
(mg),
CC
%
Gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
Gain
BM
(mg),
CC
%
gain
1. 0.5 – 1 185,
(-)
318,
(2)
172,
(-)
779,
(4)
421,
(200)
926,
(8)
500,
(400)
1064,
(10)
575,
(500)
1099,
(10)
594,
(500)
1136,
(10)
614,
(500)
2. 1 – 2 164,
(-)
876,
(4)
534,
(-)
1251,
(5)
763,
(125)
1771,
(7)
1080,
(175)
1826,
(9)
1113,
(225)
1841,
(11)
1122,
(275)
1859,
(13)
1133,
(325)
3. 2 – 4 180,
(-)
522,
(5)
290,
(-)
945,
(7)
525,
(140)
1323,
(9)
735,
(180)
1448,
(11)
804,
(220)
1483,
(10)
823,
(200)
1523,
(11)
846,
(220)
4. 5 – 10 166,
(-)
297,
(6)
179,
(-)
374,
(7)
225,
(117)
640,
(12)
386,
(200)
684,
(13)
412,
(216)
719,
(14)
433,
(233)
757,
(14)
456,
(233)
5. 10 – 20 156,
(-)
196,
(6)
126,
(-)
281,
(8)
180,
(133)
409,
(10)
262,
(167)
466,
(11)
299,
(183)
532,
(11)
341,
(183)
602,
(11)
386,
(183)
Incub. Temp.– Incubation Temperature; BM- Biomass and CC- Cocoon Count
150 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
Table 5. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different Moisture Level of Vermicomposting Material (pH 7, Temperature
of incubation - 25°C, Particle Size of Material 1-2 mm)
Sr. No.
Moisture Level of Material (%)
Initial Average Bio-Mass (mg), CC
Average results in different weeks / pot
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
BM (mg), CC
% Gain
BM (mg), CC
% gain
BM (mg), CC
% gain
BM (mg), CC
% gain
BM (mg), CC
% Gain
BM (mg), CC
% gain
1. 50 196, (-)
416, (2)
212, (-)
646, (5)
329, (250)
912, (8)
465, (400)
949, (9)
484, (450)
985, (9)
502, (450)
1017, (9)
519, (450)
2. 60 188, (-)
594, (2)
316, (-)
981, (6)
521, (300)
1491, (9)
793, (450)
1537, (10)
817, (500)
1575, (11)
838, (550)
1612, (11)
857, (550)
3. 70 157, (-)
646, (3)
411, (-)
1088, (6)
693, (200)
2402, (10)
1530, (333)
2455, (11)
1563, (366)
2497, (12)
1590, (400)
2539, (12)
1617, (400)
4. 80 175, (-)
819, (4)
468, (-)
1376, (8)
786, (200)
3177, (11)
1815, (275)
3224, (13)
1842, (325)
3295, (15)
1882, (375)
3363, (15)
1922, (375)
5. 90 181, (-)
311, (3)
172, (-)
584, (5)
323, (166)
902, (7)
498, (233)
932, (8)
515, (266)
955, (9)
528, (300)
979, (9)
541, (300)
Incub. Temp.– Incubation Temperature; BM- Biomass and CC- Cocoon Count
Table 6. Physicochemical analysis of sugarcane waste based Vermicompost (Mean ± SD)
Sr. No. Parameters Initial Nutrient Status Control (Compost With out
Eisenia fetida)
Test (Vermicompost With
Eisenia fetida)
0 Day 45 Days 45 Days
1 pH 8.37±0.39* 7.69±0.27* 7.13±0.50*
2 EC (ds/m) 1.02±0.48 0.96±0.25* 0.87±0.21*
3 C (%) 45.7±0.46* 37.2±0.39* 26.4±0.42*
4 N (%) 1.2±0.49* 1.5±0.27* 2.3±0.53*
5 P (%) 2.42±0.56* 2.48±0.42 2.57±0.40
6 K (%) 1.35±0.38 1.50±0.21* 1.72±0.37*
7 Ca (%) 1.56±0.34 2.11±0.51 2.27±0.40*
8 Mg (%) 1.29±0.42* 1.64±0.37 1.98±0.31
9 Na (%) 2.30±0.59* 2.98±0.57* 3.34±0.20*
10 Fe (ppm) 879±3.21 969±4.71* 1052±6.36*
11 Zn (ppm) 112±5.46* 155±2.23 163±3.21*
12 Mn (ppm) 382±4.32 399±3.23* 407±1.03*
13 Cu (ppm) 132±5.23* 156±2.49* 167±2.87*
14 Bo (ppm) 189±5.39* 254±4.89 276±4.62*
15 Al (ppm) 952±4.16* 958±3.27* 964±1.89
*Significant at P < 0.05
Physicochemical charecteristics of the
vermicompost prepared from sugarcane waste
Changes in pH, electrical conductivity, total carbon,
total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium,
calcium, magnesium and micronutrients are
presented in table 6. The results suggested that
earthworms play a very important role in processing
sugarcane wastes in to organic manure by
accelerating the process of decomposition and the
manure was more homogenous after 45 days (app. 6
weeks).
As the vermicomposting progressed, pH tended
towards neutral (8.37 to 7.13) and the decrease in
pH was caused by the volatilization of ammonical
nitrogen and H+ released due to microbial
nitrification process by nitrifying microbes (Eklind
and Kirchmann, 2000). Other researchers (Suthar
and Singh, 2008) have shown higher reduction in
pH in the vermireactors. The EC was reduced (1.02
to 0.87 %) and it may be due the loss of weight of
organic matter and release of different mineral salts
in available form. Some researchers (Sibi and
Manpreet, 2011, Meena and Ajay, 2011) have shown
reduction in EC in verious vermireactor.
The organic carbon (TOC) was declined (45.7 to
26.4 %) during this period. Maximum reduction in
TOC may be due to the respiratory activity of
earthworms and microorganisms (Curry et al.,
1995). Earthworm modify the substrate condition
which consequently promotes the carbon losses
from the substrate through microbial respiration in
form of CO2 and even through mineraliztion of
organic matter (Bansal and Kapoor, 2000). The
observed results are supported by those of other
researchers (Kaviraj and Sharma, 2003,
Khwairakpam and Bhargava, 2009, Vasanthi et al.,
2011) who have reported 20-45% and 40-50%
reduction of TOC as CO2 during vermicomposting
of municipal or industrial wastes and filter mud
respectively. Total nitrogen content was increased
(1.2 to 2.3 %) at the end of study. Earthworm
activity enriches the nitrogen profile of
vermicompost through microbial mediated nitrogen
transformation, through addition of mucus and
nitrogenous wastes secreted by earthworms.
Decrease in pH may be an important factor in
nitrogen retention as N2 is lost as volatile ammonia
at high pH values. Increase in nitrogen content in
vermicompost of sugarcane trash and cow dung
substrate as compared to controls was reported by
Ramalingam and Thilagar (2000). Atiyeh et al.,
(2000) reported that by enhancing nitrogen
mineraliztion, earthworms have a great impact on
nitrogen transformation in manure, so that nitrogen
retained in the nitrate form. Total phosphorus
content was greater at the end of vermicomposting
(2.57 %) than the initial day (2.42 %). Increase in
the amount of phosphorus in the vermicompost
with the progress of time was reported by Tripathi
and Bharadwaj (2004) and release of phosphorus in
available form is partly available by earthworm gut
phosphatases (Lee, 1992). The potassium and
sodium content were increased (1.35 to 3.7 and 2.30
to 3.34 %) at the end of study. Which may be due to
the metabolic activity of microorganisms present in
earthworms gut. Solubilization of inorganic sodium
and potassium in organic wastes by microorganisms
through acid production was claimed by Premuzic
et al., (1998). Suthar (2007) suggested that
earthworm processed waste material contains high
concentration of exchangeable Na & K, due to
enhanced microbial activity during the
vermicomposting process, which consequently
enhance the rate of mineraliztion. Calcium and
magnesium content were increased (1.56 to 2.27
and 1.29 to 1.98 %) during the study period. It
suggested that gut process associated with calcium
& magnessium metabolism are primarily
responsible for enhanced content of inorganic
calcium and magnessium content in worm cast.
However, the similar pattern of calcium &
magnessium enhancement is well documented in
available literature (Garg et al., 2006).
Micronutrient contents were significantly increased
at the end of six weeks when compare to the initial
day.
152 Pandit et al.
Int. J. Biosci. 2012
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by Department of
Biotechnology, IFTM University Moradabad (UP).
The authors wish to record his sincere thanks to
Prof. R. M. Dubey, Vice Chancellor and Prof.
Anupam Srivastav, Pro Vice Chancellor, IFTM
University, Moradabad for their valuable
suggestions and encouragement during the course
of this study.
Conclusion
All carbon containing compounds undergoes
essentially oxidation process by the action of
microbes which results in the release of various
nutrients, CO2 and humus. Soft plant based
materials are easily decomposed and deoxidized by
microbes. However, tougher plant materials do not
breakdown readily by soil microbes and animals.
The final process of organic matter decomposition
viz., mineralization and humidification although are
brought out by microorganisms, these are
accelerated when they pass through the guts of
earthworms probably due to the presence of
intestinal micro flora and enzymes in the worm’s
gut (Edwards and Lofty, 1975, Lee, 1985).
The results of the present study indicated that
sugarcane wastes (especially pressmud and
bagasse) admixed with jeevamrutham and after
partial decomposition of waste material, it works as
an excellent pallatable raw material for
vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida earth worm.
Than conditions for vermicomposting (i.e. pH,
Temp., Moisture & Particle size of matter) were
optimized and produced vermicompost was found
to be better in terms of the following aspects viz.
(i) High rate of bioconversion,
(ii) Production of high number of young ones and
cocoons in the medium,
(iii) Desired level of composition of nutrients in the
vermicompost i.e., macronutrients (C, N, P, K, Na,
Ca, Mg %) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Bo,
Al ppm) was comparatively better than the control
(non worms work reactor). Hence, it is
recommended that Sugarcane wastes admixed with
jeevamrutham at 2:1 ratio may be used for fast
bioconversion into a nutrients rich vermicompost.
The vermicompost obtained from these wastes can
also be used as a bio-organic fertilizer for crops. It is
presumed that this will facilitate higher conversion
rate and reduction in the number of days for
bioconversion. The results obtained prove the
potential of vermicomposting technology for
degradation of sugarcane waste amended with
Jeevamrutham.
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