Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol 1 Issue 3-4, 1999; Page No.(131-134 )

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON DEGRADATION OF PRESSMUD USING CELLULOLYTIC FUNGI AND EXOTIC SPECIES OF EARTHWORMS WITH A NOTE ON ITS GUT MICROFLORA

V. BALAMURUGAN, M. GOBI AND G.S. VIJAYALAKSHMI

Abstract

Sugar factory waste, i.e. fillter pressmud was composted by two exotic and epigeic species of earthworms Eisenia foetida a Chinese species, Eudrilus eugeniae an African species and with one fungal species Trichoderma harzianam. After 45 days of composting, the physical and chemical parameters increased significantly. The pH value was nearly neutral in all experiments whereas Eudrilus worked compost showed maximum amount of macro and micronutrients as 2.6% N, 6.64% P, 0.73% K, 6.85%C, 1.30% Mg, 0.23% Na, 0.44% I, 214 ppm Co, 391 ppm Mn and 1.1% S. The Zinc was found to be maximum in Eisenia worked compost. The bacterial load was maximum in Eudrilus worked compost (843 CFU x 105) and the fungal population was more in Trichoderma worked compost 182 CFU x103. Micrococci, Bacillus and Acromobactor were the three bacterial species found in the all experimental compost and the fungal species found were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium rabram. The gut of the exotic species of earfthworms consist of bacterial cololy of Acromobactor, Micrococci, vibrio and Bacillus and the fungal colony of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium rubrdam. Hence Eudrilus eugeniae can be used for composting sugar factory waste pressmud and the compost may be used as an organic fertilizer since it has appropriate macronutrients, micronutrients and microorganisms that may support the plant growth.

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