Articles

Microbial Diversity from the Gut of Earthworms Involved in The Process of Vermicomposting Using Vegetable and Temple Waste

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Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly and economical technique for managing various organic wastes, including agricultural, temple, and vegetable. As crucial soil invertebrates, Earthworms exhibit beneficial effects on the soil environment, influencing both physical properties and organic matter. They play a key role in recycling organic matter. Within the earthworm’s gut, numerous aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as fungi, are present. These microflorae establish a mutual symbiotic relationship with the earthworm’s digestive tract. The bacterial community functions as plant growth promoters, free-living nitrogen fixers, biocides, or phosphate solubilizers. Recognizing the immense importance of these gut microflora, a present investigation was conducted to study the microbial diversity in the gut of earthworms involved in vermicompost preparation using vegetable and temple waste. The selected earthworm species for this study was Eisenia fetida. Cow dung, vegetable, and temple waste were used in a ratio of 1:1 for vermicompost preparation. The experiment spanned approximately 60 days. The microbial diversity isolated from the gut of earthworms involved in the process of vermicomposting of vegetable and temple waste included various species of bacteria and fungi such as Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, etc.

Effect of Vermiwash and Vermicompost on the Growth of Fenugreek (Trigonella Sp.)

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Vermicomposting is a useful and completely environmentally friendly technology that changes biodegradable waste into nutrient rich organic matter. This technology can also be used for obtaining vermiwash, nutrient rich bio liquid. It is a liquid extract, which is both useful and environmentally friendly. Vermicompost enriches the soil with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, while vermiwash can provide a nutrient boost directly to the plant. The present study was done to assess the effect of different concentration of vermiwash and vermicompost on growth of Fenugreek through vermiponics and pot method respectively. The 25% vermiwash showed increase in shoot length as compared to control whereas 50% of vermiwash was found to be phytotoxic to the growth of Fenugreek plant as compared to control.  Similar trend was observed in pot method using different concentrations of vermicompost. 25% vermicompost was found to increase the shoot length as compared to 50% and 75% vermicompost. Both vermicompost and vermiwash can be valuable addition to fenugreek cultivation. It is essential to use these products (vermiwash and vermicompost) in moderation i.e. 25% for maximizing the growth during cultivation.