Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
AK Singh, AK Tripathi, SRK Singh and Yati Raj Khare

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to assess the significance of substrate straw on nutritive quality of vermicompost and growth of earthworm species Eisenia fetida during 2015-16 to 2017-18. Eisenia fetida vermiworm was used for vermicomposting in all the five treatments viz. cow dung alone, soybean straw + cow dung in 3:1 ratio, soybean straw alone, rice straw + cow dung in 3:1 ratio and rice straw alone. The physiochemical parameters, specifically temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dry matter, organic carbon, C:N ratio, 7 different nutrients, growth of earthworms and economics of vermicomposting was assessed in all the treatments under study. The results revealed higher organic carbon, N, and Zn content in the vermicompost prepared by rice straw alone, however K, Fe and Mn contents were greater in rice straw + cow dung vermicompost. Phosphorus content observed to be high in the vermicompost prepared by soybean straw alone and Cu was maximum in soybean straw + cow dung vermicompost. Earthworm growth and mass was greater in soybean straw + cow dung followed by rice straw + cow dung vermicompost. Economics of vermicomposting indicated highest net income in soybean straw + cow dung vermicompost, however B:C ratio was greater in the vermicompost prepared by soybean straw alone. This study confirms that vermicompost prepared by rice straw alone and rice straw + cow dung has high nutrient value in general followed by soybean straw + cow dung and can be considered a potential method for safely disposing agricultural waste and improving crop production.