Comparative study of various prepared vermicompost from different raw materials

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture. & Technology, Meerut (U.P.) during 2005-06 and 2006-07, prepare vermicompost from different farm wastes materials to explore the possibility of using organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture and minimize the use of chemical fertilizers in the crop production and reduced the soil pollution. The experiment was consisted of five different treatments in the ratio of 2:1 viz., V1-Normal vermicompost from buffalo dung (BD), V2 (Press mud + BD dung), V3 (Moong straw + BD), V4 (Paddy straw + BD) and V5 (Wheat straw + BD). Eisenia foetida (Earthworm) was used for the preparation of vermicompost 100 g worms m-2bed in 100 kg raw materials. The recovery of ermicompost from these materials was found ranged from 64 to 68% (Table 2). During the preparation of vermicompost, the temperature of different heap raised up to 46.7 0C to 48.7 0C within 30 to 49 days and finally stabilized at 30.0 to 32.2 within 63-86 days after release of earthworm in different raw materials. Total nutrient analysis; macro and micro nutrients along with improvedquality of vermicompost with respect to pH, bulk density and organic carbon was also observed in different vermicompost treatments.