17. Vermicomposting organic wastes: A review
01 Jan 2004-
TL;DR: The importance of biological processes in the management of organic wastes has been widely recognized and this chapter deals with one of the most efficient methods for converting solid organic materials into environmentally friendly useful and valuable products.
Abstract: The importance of biological processes in the management of organic wastes has been widely recognized and this Chapter deals with one of the most efficient methods for converting solid organic materials into environmentally-friendly useful and valuable products. Vermicomposting is an accelerated process ofbio-oxidation and stabilization of organic wastes involving interactions between earthworms and microorganisms.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the challenges and opportunities faced during urban solid waste management in developing countries like India is presented, where the authors focus on the negative issues related to solid waste, but also provide many opportunities that not only mitigates its negative impact but also helps in meeting the demand for energy and employment generation as well as in soil health improvement.
Abstract: Management of municipal solid waste is a global problem and is faced by all developing countries. The rapid pace of increase in population, economic growth, urbanization and industrialization is coupled with accelerated solid waste generation. In most of the developing countries wastes are either scattered in urban centers or disposed off unplanned in low lying areas or open dumps. The lack of infrastructure for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of solid waste, proper solid waste management planning, insufficient financial resources, technical expertise and public attitude have made the situation exasperating due to which several environmental and health related problems are increasing. Though, there are many negative issues related to solid waste, it also provides many opportunities that not only mitigates its negative impact but also helps in meeting the demand for energy and employment generation as well as in soil health improvement. Keeping in mind the present situation the current review was planned with the objective to overlook the challenges and opportunities faced during urban solid waste management in developing countries like India.
171 citations
25 Apr 2017
TL;DR: Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better product as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better product. Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworm, which are capable of improving soil health and nutrient status. Earthworms excreta (vermicast) has been found to be nutritive organic fertilizer rich in humus, NPK, micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes; nitrogen-fixing, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, actinomycets and growth hormones auxins, gibberlins & cytokinins. Both vermicompost & its body liquid (vermiwash) are proven as good growth promoters & protectors for crop plants.
3 citations
Cites background from "17. Vermicomposting organic wastes:..."
...It is a stabilized, finely divided peat-like material with a low C: N ratio, high porosity and high water-holding capacity, in which most nutrients are present in forms that are readily taken up by plants [4] ....
[...]
22 Dec 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, a vermicomposto and a chorume were quimicamente analisados apos 90 dias, com vistas ao uso agricola.
Abstract: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficiencia da vermicompostagem no tratamento de residuos solidos orgânicos alimentares, e caracterizar a composicao quimica do vermicomposto e chorume produzidos. O vermicomposto e o chorume foram quimicamente analisados apos 90 dias, com vistas ao uso agricola. Ainda, realizou-se uma abordagem economica com a implantacao de vermicomposteiras domiciliares no municipio de execucao do trabalho. O pH em agua do vermicomposto apos sua estabilizacao foi de 8,2 e relacao C/N de 13,2, ja o pH do chorume foi de 3,78 e C/N soluvel de 4,6. Atraves disso, verificou-se que a vermicompostagem e uma alternativa ambiental e economicamente viavel, que alia a disposicao adequada de residuos solidos orgânicos ao aproveitamento agricola - tanto do vermicomposto quanto do biofertilizante para culturas.
2 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of the presence of the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Sav.) in ecological boxes on the performance of vermicomposting.
Abstract: The research concerned the possibility of vermicomp osting organic wastes separated from kitchen residues. Vermicomposting was conducted with the presence of the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Sav.) in ecological boxes. The occurrence of a dipteran (Sciaridae) was reduced by the application of anti-dipteran pr eparations into the substrate (in environmentally safe doses recommended by the producers). The insecticides Nomolt 150S.C, Dimilin 25WP and Dar 2.5GR were used. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of these preparat ions on the rate of vermicomposting and on the characteristics of th e vermicomposts produced by E. fetida. Over a period of 6 months, it was shown that a Dar 2.5GR preparation had the larg est impact on the daily rate of vermicomposting. Th e vermicomposts produced with the addition of insecti cides did not differ in content of nutritional elem ents for plants (nitrogen N-NO 3, calcium, assimilable phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) in comparison with the control vermicomposts. The qualities of the produced vermicomposts were as follows: pH in H 2O 5.9-6.2; salt concentration: min 4.7 - max 5.4 g NaCl · dm -3 , nitrogen N-NO 3 min 808 - max 902; phosphorus P min 344 - max 372; potassium K min 1185 - max 1424; magnesium Mg min 279 - max 335 mg · dm -3 ; calcium Ca min 1940 - max 2381 mg · dm -3 .
1 citations
References
More filters
Book•
31 Dec 1995
TL;DR: The role of earthworms in soil structure, fertility and productivity, and the influence of environmental factors on earthworms are described.
Abstract: Earthworm morphology Earthworm diversity and geographical distribution Earthworm biology Earthworm physiology Earthworm ecology - populations Earthworm ecology - communities The influence of environmental factors on earthworms The role of earthworms in nutrient and organic matter cycles Earthworms and microorganisms Role of earthworms in soil structure, fertility and productivity Earthworms as pests and benefactors Earthworms in environmental management Earthworms in organic waste management Effects of agricultural practices and chemicals on earthworms Appendix A Appendix B
2,030 citations
"17. Vermicomposting organic wastes:..." refers background in this paper
...25 its normal partial pressure (Edwards and Bohlen 1996) and feeding activity might be reduced under these sub-optimal conditions....
[...]
...These workers developed a "vermifilter" (packed with vermicompost and live earthworms) which produces reusable water from sewage sludge, manure slurries and organic waste-waters from food-processing (Edwards and Bohlen 1996)....
[...]
...Soil temperatures below 10° C generally resulted in reduced or no feeding activity and below 4° C, cocoon production and development of young earthworms ceased completely (Edwards and Bohlen 1996)....
[...]
...1 hatchlings per cocoon have a net reproductive rate of nearly 20 cocoons week-1 (Edwards and Bohlen 1996)....
[...]
...5, and prolonged exposure to such soils could have lethal effects (Edwards and Bohlen 1996)....
[...]
Book•
01 Jan 1993
312 citations
06 Oct 1988
266 citations
"17. Vermicomposting organic wastes:..." refers background in this paper
...Edwards (1988) studied the life cycles and optimal conditions for survival and growth of E....
[...]
...fetida can survive in moisture ranges between 50 and 90 % (Edwards 1988, and Sims and Gerard 1985), but grows more rapidly between 80 and 90 % in animal wastes (Edwards 1988)....
[...]
...1996 a, Dominguez and Edwards 1996), as well as horticultural residues from processed potatoes, dead plants and the mushroom industry (Edwards 1988)....
[...]