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Water-holding capacity of earthworms’ vermicompost made of sugar industry waste (press mud) in mono- and polyculture vermireactors

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Abstract

Efforts were made to recycle sugar industry waste ‘press mud’ (PM) with an objective to ascertain the water-holding capacities with monoculture vermireactor systems using Eisenia fetida (MVR1); Eudrilus eugeniae (MVR2); Megascolex megascolex (MVR3); and polyculture vermireactor systems using Eisenia fetida + Eudrilus eugeniae (PVR1); Eisenia fetida + Megascolex megascolex (PVR2); Eudrilus eugeniae + Megascolex megascolex (PVR3). The vermicompost harvested after 40 days was subjected to a standard Proctor compaction test by using 3 kg industry soil and 200 g of vermicompost for each cycle of compaction up to seven cycles. The least dry density and highest water content 0.6, 170%; 0.66, 170%; 0.71, 170% and 0.52, 210%; 0.51, 180%; 0.71, 150% for vermicomposts of MVR3, MVR2, MVR1 and PVR3, PVR2, PVR1, respectively. The monoculture reactor using Megascolex megascolex can hold 110–170% and polyculture vermireactor using indigenous Megascolex megascolex + Eudrilus eugeniae (PVR3) can hold 140–210% of water under experimental conditions. The species Megascolex megascolex used individually and in combinations with Eudrilus eugeniae are best suited for biodegradation of press mud, and composts derived are having increase water-holding capacities. The addition of VC to the soil increases water-holding capacity and by maintaining evaporation losses to minimum as good adsorbent of atmospheric moisture eventually helps in maintaining the ecology of hydrologic cycle. Increasing water-holding capacity is one of the soil erosion control measures that influences soil productivity in both managed and natural ecosystems.

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Abbreviations

MVR1:

Eisenia fetida

MVR2:

Eudrilus eugeniae

MVR3:

Megascolex megascolex

PVR1:

Eisenia fetida + Eudrilus eugeniae

PVR2:

Eisenia fetida + Megascolex megascolex

PVR3:

Eudrilus eugeniae + Megascolex megascolex

VC:

Vermicompost

PM:

Press mud

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Sunila Mavinkurve for her support and encouragement. The funding received from CAPART is thankfully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. S D M College of Engineering and Technology, Dhavalgiri, Dharwad, 580002, India

    Prakash Mallappa Munnoli

  2. Microbiology Department, Goa University, Talegaon Plateaue, Goa, 403206, India

    Saroj Bhosle

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  1. Prakash Mallappa Munnoli
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  2. Saroj Bhosle
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Correspondence to Prakash Mallappa Munnoli.

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Munnoli, P.M., Bhosle, S. Water-holding capacity of earthworms’ vermicompost made of sugar industry waste (press mud) in mono- and polyculture vermireactors. Environmentalist 31, 394–400 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-011-9353-6

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