Nutrients Recovery during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung, Pig Manure, and Biochar for Agricultural Sustainability with Gases Emissions

Abstract

An experimental vermicomposting system was established in purple soil present in Sichuan Basin, China. The purpose of vermicomposting (VC) was to recycle and manage organic waste materials; for instance, animal manure and crop residues are present in great quantity. A particular use of earthworms for VC is a valuable method for retrieving essential plant nutrients. Experimental vermicomposting followed by monitoring was conducted for two months in summer with an interval of fifteen days. Four treatments, COM (compost without earthworms), VCM (using cow manure), VPM (through pig manure), and VBC (using biochar), were applied with agricultural wastes such as rapeseed and wheat straw in combination with cow dung, pig manure, and biochar, respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically analyze and interpret the nutrient change among different treatments. Post hoc analysis was done using Tukey’s test. The experimental vermicomposting results revealed that VCM gives increased plant nutrients with a minimum C: N ratio (from 22.13 to 14.38) and a maximum increase in nitrogen concentrations (1.77 to 29.15 g kg−1). A significant decrease in ammonia volatilization was observed in the order VCM > VBC > VPM when compared to COM. It was experimentally established that vermicomposting is the most suitable method for converting organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer with the least environmental pollution load.

Differential Effects of Organic Amendments on Maize Biomass and Nutrient Availability in Upland Calcareous Soil

“…Rapeseed is another important crop [23] considered rich in protein. Its leftovers after processing can be used as a vermicompost substrate [24]. Rapeseed is the largest cultivated crop in China and constitutes 20% of the world's production [25].…”

Unveiling the Efficiency of Psychrophillic Aporrectodea caliginosa in Deciphering the Nutrients from Dalweed and Cow Manure with Bio-Optimization of Coprolites

“…CM-based vermicomposting enhances growth and reproduction of earthworms and microbials leading to bio-stabilized nutrient rich vermifertilizer [13,14,19]. Vermicomposting, a bioecologically sustainable technology [20]), has been regarded as an ecofriendly alternative for solid waste recycling [21]. Vermitechnology causes environmental sustainability by minimizing the pollution risks associated with bio wastes and generating castings which act as a conditioner for soil and plant growth [14]).…”

Vermicomposting: A Valorization Alternative for Corn Cob Waste

“…Values presented in the first week for all four mixtures (CR, M1, M2, M3) were 75.50%, 79.40%, 70.36% and 77.19% respectively. Humidity percentages during this process were maintained within the 50% to 80% range in all four mixtures, this is adequate for vermicomposting according to multiple authors who have indicated an ideal range of between 50% and 90% [10,[60][61][62][63][64].…”