Using Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) for Utilization of Expansive Littoral Plants Biomass

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the process of vermicomposting waste biomass of littoral plants Typha latifolia, Iris pseudacorus, Ceratophyllum demersum in vermireactors, with the use of earthworms Eisenia fetida. It was observed that E. fetida may be used for rapid utilization of pure I. pseudacorus and C. demersum waste, but using the technology presented in this paper and the assumed observation time, it was not possible to recycle T. latifolia waste. Vermicomposts obtained were characterized by higher N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content compared to the initial plant biomass. The content of Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb in vermicomposts did not exclude their application as a fertilizer. During vermicomposting of all littoral plants, the earthworm population was maintained up to day 70 of the experiment, with a slight decrease in their number (on average by 6%, p > 0.05), and since day 35, a significant loss in earthworm biomass was observed. The greatest loss of mean sum of biomass (49%, p < 0.05) was noted in a group of earthworms utilizing T. latifolia. The earthworms reproduced, with the greatest mean number (and the sum of biomass) of cocoons observed in a group of earthworms processing C. demersum. These values were greater by 32% and 38% respectively (p < 0.05), for the aforementioned characteristics of cocoons produced in the remaining experimental groups.

Effects of Vermireactor Modifications on the Welfare of Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Properties of Vermicomposts

“…In the vermicompost obtained in the PS technology, the K content increased by 26.3% (p < 0.05) to the mean level of 3509.2 ± 71.1 mg kg −1 , while in the NPS group, there was an increase of 25.6% (p < 0.05) to the average level of 3489.7 ± 95.8 mg kg −1 . A similar increase in the content of this element in vermicompost was found by P ączka et al [12]-an increase relating to the initial biomass by (260-590%) and Suthar [40]-an increase of (100-160%). Kaviraj and Sharma [39] argue that microorganisms living in the gut of earthworms may play an important role in the increase in potassium content during vermicomposting.…”

“…Numerous studies show that the process of vermicomposting modifies the physical, chemical and biological properties of the waste plant mass processed by earthworms [12,35,36].…”

“…Global research has been conducted upon the utilization of various organic wastes during the vermicomposting process. These include, for example: vegetable waste [5], waste from grape and olive production [6], apple pomace [7], coconut shells [8], household and kitchen waste [9][10][11], waste biomass of aquatic plants [12,13], and animal feces [14,15].…”

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivation Using Vermicompost-Amended Soil as an Aspect of Sustainable Plant Production

“…Vermicompost production was conducted according to the methodology proposed by P ączka et al [26] in vermireactors constructed from plastic boxes with dimensions of 700 mm × 450 mm × 300 mm (length × width × height). Plant waste in the form of cleaned and shredded waste plant biomass (Iris pseudacorus L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. in a 1:1 ratio) obtained during mowing and cleaning of the littoral zone of a dam reservoir was placed in the prepared vermireactors and only sexually mature earthworms (Eisenia fetida), with an initial total biomass of 5.0 ± 0.5 g dm −3 waste, were introduced.…”

Numerical model for simulating the hydraulic parameters of the aeration system ensuring equal oxygenation of the compost heap

“…Composting is a method of biological transformation of organic matter into a product, which, depending on the raw material quality, can be classified as organic fertilizer (Sadeghi et al 2022) or stabilized compost (Vaverkova et al 2020, Pączka et al 2018, Klimek et al 2018, Gałwa-Widera et al 2016. Regardless of the final product, composting in biological reactors, unlike methane fermentation Chmielińska-Bernacka 2013, Kisielewska et al 2020), is an oxygen-consuming process requiring vigorous aeration.…”