National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
The increasing generation of biodegradable municipal waste, particularly vegetable and floral waste from markets, creates environmental and management challenges in rapidly urbanizing regions. Vermicomposting provides a biological approach for converting biodegradable waste into a useful organic resource. The present study was conducted at Virar, Maharashtra, to investigate the suitability of vegetable and floral market waste as substrates for vermicomposting using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. Wastes were collected from Virar Markets during March-April 2026, manually chopped and sun-dried before experimental use. Four experimental containers were maintained using vegetable waste and floral waste with E. fetida, along with corresponding waste-only controls without earthworms. A heavy-duty plastic container was used for each experimental unit. The experimental bedding consisted of alternating layers of organic waste and dried cow dung, followed by approximately 1 kg of E. fetida placed on the upper surface. The earthworms were healthy during procurement and transportation but showed upward movement within one day of introduction, followed by complete mortality between 3rd and 6th June 2026. Ambient temperatures during this period ranged from approximately 29–35°C under humid coastal conditions. Water sprinkling and wet jute covering were used to maintain moisture and reduce heat stress, but mortality still occurred. The observations indicate that successful establishment of E. fetida may require improved pre-conditioning of the substrate and closer monitoring of temperature, moisture and physicochemical characteristics before earthworm introduction. The study provides useful preliminary evidence regarding the challenges of applying vermicomposting to market-generated vegetable and floral waste under warm coastal conditions.
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