Effects of a precomposting step on the vermicomposting of dairy manure-waste paper mixtures

Abstract

Thermophilic composting is being promoted as a means of sanitizing waste materials prior to vermicomposting. The precomposting duration is, however, critical to the success of the vermicomposting phase as it affects worm biomass. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different precomposting periods (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) on the sanitization and vermicomposting of dairy manure-waste paper mixtures. The parameters measured were coliform bacteria and protozoa oocyst numbers, earthworm growth, as well as stabilization and nutrient content of vermicomposts. Over 95% of fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and of E. coli 0157 were eliminated from the waste materials within 1 week of precomposting and total elimination of these and protozoan oocysts was achieved after 3 weeks of precomposting. Microbial biomass carbon and water soluble carbon of waste mixtures decreased with increase in precomposting time and impacted negatively on earthworm growth and subsequent stabilization of the dairy manure-paper waste mixtures. Vermicomposts from waste mixtures precomposted for over 2 weeks were less stabilized, less humified and had lower nutrient contents than vermicomposts from waste mixtures precomposted for 1 week or less. A precomposting period of 1 week was found to be ideal for the effective vermicomposting of dairy manure-waste paper mixtures.

Dynamics of a vertical-flow windrow vermicomposting system

“…Pattnaik and Reddy (2010) observed 0.9% phosphorus, 0.8% potassium, and 0.9% magnesium in vermicompost from vegetable market waste and 0.6% phosphorus, 0.3% potassium, and 0.6% magnesium in vermicompost from floral waste after 60 days of vermicomposting by Eisenia fetida . The total phosphorus content found in the vermicompost in this study was comparable with the total phosphorus content in vermicompost derived from dairy manure–waste paper mixtures (0.6%) and separated cattle solids (0.4%), but was lower than in vermicompost based on separated pig solids (1.7%), chicken solids (2.7%), and duck solids (2.9%), as was reported by Mupondi et al (2011) and Edwards and Burrows (1988).…”

Vermicompost as an Alternative of Management for Water Hyacinth

“…An increase in the percentage of WH in the mixture resulted in an increase in mortality of these earthworms (Galakshmi et al 2001, Gupta 2007, Zirbes et al 2011. Pre-compost is necessary to avoid earthworm mortality (Mupondi et al 2011).…”

Comparison between aerated static piles and vermicomposting in producing co-compost from rural organic wastes and cow manure

“…For circulating the air into the vermicomposting piles, some holes were made in the walls between pits, and also, the pits bed was prepared for the activity of the composting worms by putting cartons and cardboards. Pre-compost is necessary to avoid earthworm mortality (Mupondi et al 2011).…”

“…This can be due to more cow dung (as bedding for the worms has been placed in all vermicomposting masses) compared to the static method and because of the worms' activity in the vermicompost piles and also worms' intestinal ammonia excretion (Abdoli and Roshani 2007;Munroe 2004). The maximum concentration of ammonium and NH 3 production in the piles is in the early weeks when the percentage of organic matter in the masses is in the maximum levels.…”