VERMICOMPOSTING WITH SUGARCANE WASTE

S.Parthasarathy, UG Agrl student, Annamalai university.

spsarathyagri@gmail.com

Vermicomposting is a cost effective, Eco-friendly and appropriate waste disposal technique for efficient recycling of animal waste, crop residues, agro industrial and sewage sludge. Earthworm is physically an aerator, crusher, mixer, chemically a degrader and biologically a stimulator in the decomposer system. Earthworms are voracious feeder and consume tremendous volumes of wastes, convert them to nutrient rich compost.

It is an age-old novel method of composting crop residues. Sugarcane trash and pressmud could be used for vermicomposting along with cow dung and other crop residues. Vermicomposting improves the nitrogen and phosphorous availability besides improving soil physical properties. Earthworms act as bio-concentrators of heavy metal and toxic material. Vermicompost usage improves crop production and maintains soil health.

Vermicompost can be prepared by pit method. Pressmud, trash, bagasse, cow dung and any other residues can be mixed. The earthworm’s lambido marutii @ 2000 nos/tone can be released separately into the pit and water was sprayed.

Endrillus euginea is also found promising of cow dung will enhance the earthworm activities. The moisture was maintained at 50%. A layer of one inch thickness soil can be applied over the compost pit. After 120 days, the compost would be usage. The earthworms in the compost may be collected and reused. Vermicompost can also be prepared by heap method.

Organic recycling is essential to replenish the soil. Composting technology is available to convert the industrial wastes and crop residues into mature. Sizable quantity of pressmud, distillery effluent, trash etc. is available and could be effectively used to improve soil fertility and sustained higher productivity. This solves the problem of disposal and pollution. These organics form a cheap and the most effective component of integrated nutrient management and to some extend solves the problem of fertilizer shortage.