International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences |
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 4 (2013) pp. 42-47 |
Management of paper waste by vermicomposting using epigeic earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae in Gwalior, India |
Muddasir Basheer* and O. P. Agrawal |
Vermibiotechnology Center, School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, (M.P). India 474011
*Corresponding author e-mail: muddasirbasheer@gmail.com |
A B S T R A C T |
The use of earthworms in the degradation of various types of wastes is continuing
from the past so many years. These wastes include industrial, agricultural and
domestic wastes etc. This study examines the potential of the African night crawler Eudrilus eugeniae in the vermicomposting of waste paper. As waste paper is rich in carbon while deficient in nitrogen cow dung was mixed with it to make it suitable
for earthworms. A mixture of waste paper and cow dung in the ratio of 1:1 was
found to be the best ratio than 2(paper waste):1(cow dung) and 3(paper waste):1(cow dung). In 65 days time good quality compost was prepared by
earthworms. Physical and biochemical parameters were analyzed during this period
of 65 days. Pre decomposition of 15 days and subsequent vermicomposting of 65
days indicates the role of this species in vermibiotechnology. Increase was found in all the parameters like, Total nitrogen (%), Available phosphorus (%) and Exchangeable potassium (%) while a decrease was found in pH and C:N ratio as
the timing of vermicomposting increased from o days to 65 days. |
Keywords |
Eudrilus eugeniae; vermin- composting; Waste paper; cowdung. |