title: Nutrient recovery from apple pomace waste by vermicomposting technology.
abstract: The present work was focused on vermicomposting apple pomace waste and its mixtures with straw in volume proportions of 25%, 50%, and 75%. The feasibility was evaluated on the basis of agrochemical properties and earthworm biomass. Vermicomposting was able to reduce the weight and volume of the feedstock by 65% and 85%, respectively. The resulting vermicomposts were characterized by slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.9-6.9), and optimal EC (1.6-4.4mS/cm) and C:N ratios (13-14). The total content of nutrients increased during vermicomposting for all of the treatments with the following average final values: N=2.8%, P=0.85%, K=2.3%, and Mg=0.38%. The addition of straw to apple pomace did not enhance earthworm biomass, but did increase the available content of nutrients during vermicomposting. The data reveals that vermicomposting is a suitable technology for the decomposition of apple pomace waste into a value added product.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic. Electronic address: hanc@af.czu.cz.
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanc
authors.affiliation: Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chadimova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D008274:Magnesium; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Apple pomace; Earthworms; Straw; Vermicomposting