Influence of Engineered Microorganisms on Vermicomposting of Pre-processed Vegetable Waste

  • Authors

    • Senthilkumar Palaniappan
    • Murugappan Alagappan
    2018-07-20
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.12.16501
  • Vermicomposting, E. fetida, Effective Microorganism (EM).
  • Abstract

    The low optimum level of vermi pile depth (10 cm-15 cm) warrants encroachment of large land area and consume more time in the vermicomposting process.  In engineered vermicomposting, the acceleration of digestion of high volume of waste was done by eliminating the pre-composting and introducing pre-processing the waste.  This process involves chopping, pulverizing, stocking, and drying the waste followed by injecting the engineered microorganisms (EM) at various depths in vermi bin during the vermicomposting process. Pre-processing and injection of EM enabled to increase the substrate depth by two-to-three-fold (30 cm).  Experimentation was conducted in five vermi bins with same quantity of worms (100 gms of E. fetida in each bin), with different stock loads of EM  (0.3ml, 0.4ml, 0.5ml, 0.6ml and 0.7ml) named as Bin 1, Bin 2, Bin 3, Bin 4 and Bin 5 respectively.  In parallel, a control (Bin C1) and conventional (Bin C2) vermi bin were also set up to compare the differences observed.  The outcome of the study clearly showed that the bin loaded with 0.7ml EM (Bin 5) stock achieved high volume reduction (70%). Moreover, the trail unit loaded with 0.5ml of EM stock (Bin 3) exhibited high biomass growth rate than its counter trail units. 

     

     

  • References

    1. [1] R.K. Bastian, J.A. Ryan, 1986. Design and management of successful land application system. In: Utilization Treatment and Disposal of Waste on Land. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, USA, pp. 217–229.

      [2] Tara Crescent., 2003. Vermicomposting. Development Alternatives (DA) Sustainable Livelihoods. (http://www.dainet.org/livelihoods/default.htm)

      [3] A. Martin,&P. Lavelle, 1992. Effect of soil organic matter quality on its assimilation by Millsoniaanomala, a tropical geophagous earthworm. Soil Biol. Biochemis. 24(12), 1535–1538.

      [4] S. Surthar and Sing., 2007. Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms (Perionyxexcavatus and Perionyxsansibaricus). International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology, December 2008, Volume 5, Issue 1, pp 99–106.

      [5] S. Suthar, 2008. Bioconversion of post-harvest crop residues and cattle shed manure into value-added products using earthworms EudriluseugeniaeKinberg. Ecol. Eng. 32, 206–214.

      [6] L.S. Ranganathan., 2006. Vermibiotechnology- From soil Health to Human health. Agrobios (India), ISBN No: 81-7754-294-X.

      [7] G. SenthilKumar, PL. Senthilkumar, A. Murugappan., 2011. Investigation on application of catalytic substance for augmenting worm growth rate in vermicomposting. JIPHE Vol: 2011-12, 15-19.

      [8] S.V. Bolta, R. Mihelic, F. Lobnik, D. Lestan, 2003. Microbial community structure during composting with and without mass inoculate. Compost Science and Utilization 11, 6–15.

      [9] J.M.C. Wong, G.X. Li, &M.H. Wong,1997. Feasibility of using ash residues composting materials for sewage sludge. Environ.Technol. 18(5), 563–568.

      [10] R. Hartenstein, &F. Hartenstein, 1981. Physico–Chemical changes effected in activated sludge by the earthworm (Eiseniafoetida). J.Environ. Quality 10(3), 377–382.

      [11] Y. Araujo, F.J. Luizão, &E. Barros, 2004. Effect of earthworm addition on soil nitrogen availability, microbial biomass and litter decomposition in mesocosms Biol. Fert. Soils 39 (2), 146–152.

      [12] PL. Senthilkumar &T. Kavimani, 2012. Investigation in application of synthetic nutrients for augmenting worm growth rate in vermicomposting. Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering 2012, v.6, n.1, p.30-35.

      [13] Kaviraj and S. Sharma., 2003. Municipal Solid Waste management through Vermicomposting employing exotic and local species of earthworm. Biores. Technol. 90(2), 169–173.

      [14] N B Sing, A K Khare, D S Bhargava and S Bhattacharys., 2004. Effect of substrate depth on vermicomposting. IE (I) Journal – EN. Vol 85, 16-21.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Palaniappan, S., & Alagappan, M. (2018). Influence of Engineered Microorganisms on Vermicomposting of Pre-processed Vegetable Waste. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.12), 784-789. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.12.16501

    Received date: 2018-07-29

    Accepted date: 2018-07-29

    Published date: 2018-07-20