title: Enhancing nutrient recovery and compost maturity of coconut husk by vermicomposting technology.
abstract: Vermicompost was prepared by five different treatments from relatively resistant coconut husk mixed with either pig slurry or poultry manure. The recovery of vermicompost varied from 35% to 43% and it resulted in significant increase in pH, microbial biomass carbon, macro and micro nutrients concentration. Among the treatments highest relative N (1.6) and K (1.3) recovery were observed for 20% feedstock substitution by pig slurry while poultry manure substitution recorded highest P recovery (2.4). Compost maturity parameters significantly differed and well correlated. The characteristics of different treatments established the maturity indices as C/N 15-20; Cw<1.8; Cw/Norg<0.55; Lignin<10-12; CHA/CFA>1.5 and HI>15.0. The manurial value of the coconut husk compost was improved by feedstock substitution with pig slurry (80:20). The results revealed the technical feasibility of converting coconut husk into valuable compost by feedstock substitution with pig slurry.
authors.affiliation: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Electronic address: swarna_8@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Swarnam
authors.affiliation: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velmurugan
authors.affiliation: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Nicobar), ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dam Roy
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D003059:Cocos; D005308:Fertilizers; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008372:Manure; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009835:Oligochaeta; D011200:Poultry; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon
keywords: Animal manure; Coconut husk; Maturity index; Nutrient recovery