Potential utilization of bagasse as feed material for earthworm Eisenia fetida and production of vermicompost

Abstract

In the present work bagasse (B) i.e waste of the sugar industry, was fed to Eisenia fetida with cattle dung (CD) support as feed material at various ratios (waste: CD) of 0:100 (B0), 25:75 (B25), 50:50 (B50), 75:25 (B75) and 100:0 (B100) on dry weight basis. Co-composting with cattle dung helped to improve their acceptability for E. fetida and also improved physico-chemical characteristics. Best appropriate ratio for survival, maximum growth and population buildup of E. fetida was determined by observing population buildup, growth rate, biomass, mortality and cocoon formation. Minimum mortality and highest population size of worms was observed in 50:50 (B50) ratio. Increasing concentrations of wastes significantly affected the growth and reproduction of worms. Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sodium increased from pre-vermicompost to post-vermicompost, while organic carbon, and C:N ratio decreased in all the end products of post-vermicomposting. Heavy metals decreased significantly from initial except zinc, iron and manganese which increased significantly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to recognize the changes in texture in the pre and post-vermicomposted samples. The post-vermicomposted ratios in the presence of earthworms validate more surface changes that prove to be good manure. The results observed from the present study indicated that the earthworm E. fetida was able to change bagasse waste into nutrient-rich manure and thus play a major role in industrial waste management.

Management of Sugar Industrial Wastes through Vermitechnology

“…Bhat et al [2] managed pressmud sludge through E. fetida and observed that the maximum growth and reproduction was observed in the 25:75 (pressmud: cow dung) feed mixture. Bhat et al [3] also managed baggase waste amended with cattle dung through earthworm E. fetida. The results showed that the minimum mortality and highest growth of worms were observed in 50:50 (bagasse:cattle dung) mixture.…”

“…During the processing of sugar, different kind of wastes is generated like pressmud, bagasse, sugar cane trash, sugar beet mud, pulp, molasses etc. [2][3][4][5]. These wastes are potential pollutants unless recycled.…”

“…Maximum nutrient content and growth of earthworms were observed in reactor R5 (bagasse+Jeevanrutham). Bhat et al [3] reported vermicomposting of bagasse waste amended with cattle dung using earthworm E. fetida. The results revealed that the nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium increased from pre-vermicompost to post-vermicompost, while organic carbon and C:N ratio decreased in all the end products of bagasse waste.…”

Growth and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida in three varieties of flower (rose, carnation and hypericum) leftovers

“…The reproductive and growth performance of Hyperiodrius africanus was evaluated in tropical weed (Chromolaena odorata) and coffee residues by Tandon (1998). Bhat et al (2015) measured the growth and reproduction of E. fetida in bagasse feed, while Parthasarathi and Ranganathan (1999) studied the growth and reproductive potential of Perionix excvatus and E. fetida on pressmud. Govindarajan et al (2008) made growth and reproductive assessment of E. fetida on Leucaena glauca leaf litter, Nath et al (2009) studied the effect of different combinations of animal dung and agro/kitchen wastes on growth and development of E. fetida.…”

Survival, Weight, and Prolificacy of Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) in Relation to Food Type and Several Soil Parameters

“…higher quality [1][2][3][4]. Wastes like decomposed or fresh fruits and vegetables can be recycled using earthworms.…”