Zine Aruna santosh, Palghadmal Kalpana Wamanrao, Hole Vaishali Ravindra, Thorat Nikita Rajendra and Gaikar Varsha Sukhdev
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of vermicomposting on various parameters of garden waste before and after processing with two different earthworm species, Eudrilus eugenie and Eisenia fetida. The analysis measured key soil characteristics such as Total Nitrogen (N%), Total Phosphorus (P%), Total Potassium (K%), pH, Electrical Conductivity (E.C.), Carbon%, Organic Matter%, C:N Ratio, and Moisture Content before and after vermicomposting. The results show that the nutrient content of the garden waste significantly improved post-vermicomposting. Total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium contents increased with Eudrilus eugenie showing the highest value in all three nutrients. Additionally, the Carbon content decreased, indicating the breakdown of organic material, while the C:N Ratio significantly decreased, reflecting improved nitrogen availability for soil fertility. pH and Electrical Conductivity showed minimal changes, suggesting that the earthworm species did not alter the soilâs basic properties substantially. Furthermore, organic matter content decreased, aligning with the increase in available nutrients. The C:N Ratio also showed notable improvement, particularly after processing with Eiseni afetida, which achieved a more balanced ratio than Eudrilus eugenie. The findings suggest that vermicomposting not only improves the nutritional quality of garden waste but also enhances its suitability as an organic fertilizer, with distinct outcomes based on the species of earthworms used.