Vermicompost as an Alternative of Management for Water Hyacinth

Abstract

Aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (water hyacinth) can be used as raw material for vermicompost. Vermicompost is the product of microbial decomposition of organic waste through the digestive tracts of earthworms. The aim of this work was to use water hyacinth to obtain stable and mature vermicompost. Three treatments were performed for vermicomposting, treatment one with 100 % of water hyacinth, treatment two with 100 % of cow manure and treatment three with 50 % of water hyacinth and 50 % of cow manure. The earthworm used was Eisenia fetida Savigny. Vermicompost was characterized physically, chemically and microbiologically, and measured by indexes of stability and maturity, as well, metal concentrations were detemined. Germination index was obtained with four different seeds: radish (Raphanus sativus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cucumber (Cucumis spp.) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). The three different treatments for vermicompost were stable and mature after 110 days with 90 % of E. fetida survival in each treatment. The vermicompost with water hyacinth and water hyacinth plus cow manure had a high pH and electrical conductivity. Radish had the best performance in germination index and the three vermicompost were rich in metals. We conclude that vermicomposting is suitable for managing water hyacinth because it can produce a stable, mature, and rich in nutrients vermicompost, which is useful as organic fertilizer or soil improver. 426descomposición de desechos orgánicos por medio de los microorganismos del tracto digestivo de las lombrices. El objetivo de este trabajo fue utilizar el lirio acuático para obtener un vermicompost estable y maduro. Se realizaron tres tratamientos: uno con el 100 % de lirio acuático, el dos con 100 % de estiércol y el tres con 50 % lirio acuático y 50 % de estiércol, la lombriz utilizada fue Eisenia fetida Savigny. Los vermicompost se caracterizaron física, química y microbiológicamente, además se midieron índices de madurez y estabilidad, así como la concentración de metales. El índice de germinación se realizó con cuatro semillas diferentes: rábano (Raphanus sativus L.), lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.), pepino (Cucumis spp.) y calabacita (Cucurbita pepo L.). Los tres tratamientos resultaron ser estables y maduros después de 110 días de vermicompostaje con un índice de supervivencia de E. Fetida de 90 %, los vermicompost con lirio acuático y lirio acuático más estiércol tuvieron un pH y una conductividad eléctrica altos. El rábano mostró un buen desempeño en el índice de germinación, los tres vermicompost resultaron ricos en metales. Se concluye que el vermicompostaje es adecuado para el manejo del lirio acuático, debido a que se obtiene un vermicompost estable, maduro y rico en nutrientes, que puede utilizarse como fertilizante orgánico o mejorador de suelos.

Influence of Microbial Inoculation of Igneous Rock Phosphate-Amended Cow and Pig Manures on Vermidegradation and Nutrient Release

“…For instance, in the study conducted by Olivera Viciedo, et al [61] on the response of radish to difference ammonical nitrogen concentrations in absence and presence of silicon, observed highest sensitivity in treatments without silicon. In the cow manure treatment with E. fetida only, the highest germination observed agree with findings of Bernal, et al [62] who found increased GI value of radish from between 24 to 120 h of germination using cow manure vermicompost using E. fetida. Therefore, the results showed low levels of phytotoxic substances.…”

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

“…The results indicate that the processing time in ASP is about 15-20 days shorter than of the processing and maturation time of compost in the vermicomposting method. A stable and mature vermicompost was obtained after 110 days which is in agreement with the results of a similar research conducted by Alvarez-Bernal et al (2016). Gupta et al (2007) reported 147 days to obtain stable and mature vermicompost.…”

“…The organic matter content and cation exchange capacity of final vermicompost were high, indicating that it was rich in nutrients and therefore suitable as organic amendment. These results are in agreement with the results of a research conducted by Alvarez-Bernal et al (2016). CEC was measured about 100 and 96 meq/100 g for vermicompost and ASP-finished product, respectively.…”

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms: Uses, Challenges, Threats, and Prospects

“…The resulting compost functions as a eutrophic natural manure and soil stimulant [ 48 ]. Vermicompost is obtained when organic waste decomposed by microbes in the digestive tracts of earthworms [ 49 ]. Water hyacinth has been found to be a very good vermicomposting raw material.…”

“…Water hyacinth has been found to be a very good vermicomposting raw material. In combination with cow dung, water hyacinth was successfully converted into vermicompost in Zimbabwe [ 50 ] but, in fact, was found to yield better vermicompost when used alone as a substrate for earthworms [ 49 ]. Vermicomposting E. crassipes from Lake Victoria in Kenya yielded richer vermicompost [ 51 ].…”