Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF THE EARTHWORM EUDRILUS EUGENIAE ON MICROBIAL AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY DURING VERMICOMPOSTING OF ORGANIC MATTER COLLECTED FROM MUSIRI AREA, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

V. Senthil and R. Sivakami

Abstract

Vermiculture has been receiving considerable attention globally due to its potential role in organic farming and sustainable development. As characterizing microbial communities and enzyme activities during vermicomposting can provide vital information regarding the evolution of the process, the present study was undertaken in Eudrilus eugeniae using various vermicomposts. Among the various vermicompost, the mixture containing cow dung, press mud and poultry waste (1:1:1 ratio) recorded maximal microbial population. Among the individual vermicomposts, poultry waste recorded the highest microbial count. Among the various enzymes, dehydrogenase activity was the highest in all vermicomposts. Nevertheless, other enzymatic activities (cellulase, protease and phosphatase) also showed increased activity in vermicomposts after vermicomposting. The present study suggests that a combination of vermicomposting mixtures are more efficient than individual vermicomposts.