title: On site domestic organic waste treatment through vermitechnology using indigenous earthworm species.
abstract: In India the exotic epigeic species, Eisenia fetida is mostly used for vermicomposting. The introduction of exotic species into local bio system may affect the indigenous earthworm species population. A comparative study between exotic species (Eisenia fetida) and indigenous species Perionyx sansibaricus and Perionyx excavates was performed to determine the potential of indigenous species of the area vis-à-vis the exotic species for composting of domestic organic waste blended with cattle manure. The results of the study show a significant reduction in initial C/N ratio from 55 to 13 for P. excavates and 15 for P. sansibaricus of the ready product which was within the agronomic acceptable limit ( < 20). The total organic matter reduced by 50% and pH also reduced to be nearer to neutral, but there was an increase in total nitrogen to 102% and total phosphorus increased from the initial concentration of 7.62 g kg(-1) up to 13.2 g kg(-1). Overall, by employing above indigenous species, domestic organic waste can be directly converted into high-quality hygienic stable fertilizer (vermicompost) which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and free from pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India. ankur.envt@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajpal
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.forename: Salin Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sasi
authors.forename: Ak
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chopra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D005308:Fertilizers; D007194:India; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000502:physiology*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen