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Vermicomposting of Paper Mill Sludge with Eisenia fetida for its Conversion to Nutrient Using Different Seed Materials

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Abstract

In this study, it was aimed for effective utilization of paper mill sludge through vermicomposting by varying seed proportion with sp. Eisenia fetida. Nine plastic trays were used for the experimental work including control. Different seed proportions of cow dung and cattle dung were tested. The multiplication of earthworms in terms of number was counted at the end of vermicomposting. The N, K, Ca, Na values of the manure in each vermibin were estimated before and after vermicomposting. In this study, it was concluded that tray A2 which has combination of 75% Cow dung (CD) and 25% Paper Mill Sludge (PMS) provided better nitrogen synthesis and lowering C/N ratio, whereas tray A4 (25%CD + 75% PMS) yielded better Calcium recovery. Both the seed materials were found to be suitable for Potassium recovery. From this study, it was inferred that vermicomposting of paper mill sludge with sp. Eisenia fetida along with seed materials can also solve the problem of disposal of this sludge.

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Acknowledgement

Author would like to thank stalwarts who gave me valuable comment to improve the quality of manuscript and the author would also extend his thanks research scholars who helped me in conducting laboratory procedure for parameter analysis. Outlay of this work was entirely born by the author.

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  1. Alagappa Chettair College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, Tamilnadu, India

    S. Mariraj Mohan

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  1. S. Mariraj Mohan
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Correspondence to S. Mariraj Mohan.

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Mohan, S.M. Vermicomposting of Paper Mill Sludge with Eisenia fetida for its Conversion to Nutrient Using Different Seed Materials. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. A 98, 545–553 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-017-0253-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-017-0253-8

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