Email:
satyendramsingh@rediffmail.com
Address:
Centre for Vermiculture and Vermicomposting, Department of Animal Science, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareily, Uttar Pradesh 243 006
Earthworm, Eisenia foetida, Saccharum munja, Vermicompost, Weed utilization
A study was conducted at Vermiculture and Vermicomposting Centre of the University in 2009-10 on Saccharum munja as a feed material for the compost worm, Eisenia foetida, using three combinations with cattle dung. Impact of weed-dung combinations on the biomass of worms and their rate of reproduction was evaluated. Physico-chemical parameters of weed-dung combinations and vermicompost produced from these combinations were tested on the growth parameters of Vigna radiata. Fresh weed was chopped into 2 cm size, mixed with fresh cattle dung in 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 combinations separately in rectangular plastic tub sized 43 x 32 x 14 cm in replicates of five. After pre-decomposition period of 15 days, 10 g matured E. foetida were introduced in each tub. It was found that worms fed upon 1: 3 (weed : dung) combination faster than other two combinations and transformed it earlier into vermicompost. Rate of reproduction of worms was recorded 2.47 times faster and total biomass of worms was 2.15 times more in 1 : 3 combinations than that of 3: 1. Application of vermicompost, transformed from 1:3 combination of weed: dung medium, with soil of known parameters in 1:1 combination showed an increase in the shoot length of V. radiata by 1.68 times compared to 3:1 combination.