Management of Kitchen Waste Material through Vermicomposting

Abstract

India produces around 3000 million tones of organic waste annually. This huge volume of waste(s) comes from agriculture, urban and industrial sources and also from domestic activities. Utilization of this waste material for productivity process is important for both economical and environmental reasons. In the present study an effort has been made to asses the efficacy of E. foetida (red tiger worm) in utilizing the kitchen waste material, to analyze the waste decomposition process assessed with earthworm activity. This chosen substrate was mixed with cow dung in the ratio of 4:1 (w/w) to initiate the waste conversion process into a useful product. Physical and biochemical activity, occurring during the 75 days of vermicomposting period were analyzed. During this process pH, organic carbon, organic matter and C:N ratio revealed negative trend, however total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium content expressed positive trend of increment with vercomposting period. 15 days precomposting of substrate (kitchen waste + cow dung ) and subsequent vermicomposting upto 75 days, clearly indicate the potential of earthworm biotechnology in reduction of biomass of the waste, addition of the nutrient pool (nutrient enrichment) and more availability of animal protein in the form of earthworm number and biomass.