Vol. 10, Special Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Varsha Kumari, Priyanka Kumari, Sankar Ch. Paul, Mahendra Singh, Shailja Kumari, Ajeet Kumar, Amit Kumar Pradhan and Kirti Kumari

Abstract:
Properties of vermicompost vary during storage with variation in moisture content, storage conditions and time duration. Therefore, the study was undertaken to observe the changes in characteristics and quality of vermicompost when stored for two months at normal room conditions. The moisture content reduced from 38.87% to 28.94% after two months of storage. Total N, P, K and S content of vermicompost after two months of storage at normal room temperature was recorded as 1.15%, 0.37%, 0.93% and 0.52%, respectively. Microbial population and their enzymatic activity was high in the fresh vermicompost sample which gradually decreased with decreasing moisture content on storage of vermicompost. Dehydrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity recorded after storage was 71.18μg TPF/g of vermicompost/hr, 64.18μg p-nitrophenol /g /hr and 90.66μg p-nitrophenol/g/hr respectively after 60 days of storage. Considering all the changes in physico- chemical, biological and biochemical properties of the vermicompost is best to be used after harvesting, when the composting period is over and it is ready for use. If stored, there is gradual deterioration in its fertilizer value which unables its full utilization.