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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 776-782 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 10 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.910.093 Quality Characterisation of Vermicompost Produced from Crop Residue and Cow Dung Varsha Kumari, Sankar Ch. Paul*, Mahendra Singh, Ajeet Kumar and Amit Kumar Pradhan Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Keywords Vermicompost, Crop residue, Cow dung, Integrated nutrient management Article Info Accepted: 07 September 2020 Available Online: 10 October 2020 Properties of fresh vermicompost vary with variation in raw material, composting techniques, species of earthworm used and time of harvest. Feedstock comprises of organic biodegradable waste products like plant biomass and cattle-poultry manure. Therefore, the study was undertaken to characterize the fresh vermicompost generated from three different vermicompost production units (VCPUs) with crop residue biomass and raw cow dung as feeding materials. The bulk density of vermicompost from the different VCPUs ranged between 0.45 to 0.53 g cm-3 whereas the particle density varied from 1.04 to 1.06 g cm-3 and was a porous organic product. The Moisture content of vermicompost samples were estimated between 37.3 and 40.2%. The maximum water holding capacity had an average value of 387.24%. The pH and EC had mean values of 6.88 and 1.81 dSm-1 respectively. The average total N, P, K and S content of the vermicompost samples were found to be 1.41%, 0.42%, 1.02% and 0.61% respectively. The vermicompost samples contain higher numbers of beneficial microorganisms including bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, rhizobium, PSB, azotobacter etc. along with important enzymes. Microbial biomass carbon content was in the range of 479.76 and 512.84 mg kg-1. Considering all the physico-chemical, biological and biochemical properties the vermicomposts prepared may thus be considered as natural biofertilizers which can be effectively included in integrated nutrient management practices. increasing multilevel agricultural activities for increasing amount of agricultural products, increases environmental pollution as well as generation of wastes (Bhuvaneshwari, 2019). As per the Glossary of Environment Statistics, United Nations, 1997, agricultural waste includes manure and other wastes from farms, poultry houses and slaughterhouses; harvest waste; fertilizer run-off from fields; pesticides that enter water, air or soils; salt and silt Introduction Agricultural industry plays the major role in the overall economic growth of the world. The increase in demand for food in developing countries has led to tremendous growth in food production around the world. India, with its year-round crop cultivation, generates a large amount of agricultural waste, majorly crop residues. With the 776 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 776-782 drained from fields. According to the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), on an average India generates 500 Million tons (Mt) of crop residue per year (NPMCR, 2014). This report also shows that a majority of this crop residue is in fact used as fodder, fuel for other domestic and industrial purposes. However, there is still a surplus of 140 Mt out of which 92 Mt is burned each year (NPMCR, 2014) in the absence of adequate sustainable management practices causing excessive particulate matter emissions and air pollution. Composting, vermicomposting, farm yard manure and biogas production are a few effective sustainable techniques that can help to curtail the issue while retaining the nutrients present in the crop residue in the soil. Animal wastes also require a route for recycling into valuable end products (Kumar et al., 2018). Composting using earthworm offers the rapid recovery of valuable resources from biodegradable plant and animal wastes to humus-like vermicompost in shorter time duration (Pramanik et al., 2007) Biologically based soil amendments enhances both food safety and environmental well being, which is invaluable to sustainable organic farming systems. Use of vermicompost is an effective way to add organic material in farming and change the soil properties in a positive way by increasing the soil nutrient availability and soil microbial activity (Abbey et al., 2013). Vermicomposting is a bio-oxidative process in which earthworms interact intensively with microorganisms thereby, accelerating the stabilization of organic matter and eventually modifying its physical and biochemical properties (Dominguez, 2004). Thus, vermicompost is the product of composting of biodegradable organic waste carried out by earthworms. Vermicompost comprises of vermicasts and decomposed organic matter. Vermicasts are fine textured and are pure excreta eliminated from the digestive systems of worms (Abbey et al., 2013). Application of vermicompost improves the soil structure by increasing porosity and reducing the bulk density. It improves soil aeration, waterholding capacity, buffer capacity, and cation exchange capacity of soil (Nada et al., 2011). Vermicompost supply sufficient amounts of macro and micronutrients required to promote plant growth and development (Pattnaik and Reddy, 2010; Abbey et al., 2012). An overall higher net efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was reported in vermicompost through comparative analyses, in comparison to chemical fertilizers or thermophilic composted soil amendments (Sinha et al., 2010). Vermicomposts are rich in bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and cellulose-degrading bacteria (Edwards et al., 2010). Vermicomposts are superior quality organic soil amendments because of their excellent biological properties and also linked to nutrient cycling in soil or plant growth media. Variation in palatability, particle size and metabolites of solid organic wastes may influence the performance of earthworm and hence the quality of its end-product (Suthar, 2007). Quality and nutrient status of vermicompost produced varies with the selection of feeding material for earthworms. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the vermicompost derived from crop residues and cow dung used as feeding materials for earthworms. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted to study the characteristics of fresh vermicompost generated from crop residue biomass and cow dung using epigeic species Eisenia foetida. Vermicompost samples were collected from different vermicompost production units (VCPUs) Bihar Agricultural University Farm, Sabour. Bulk density was measured with graduated cylinder method and particle density of vermicompost was determined by volumetric flask method described by Bashour and Sayegh (2007). Porosity was 777 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 776-782 calculated using the equation given by Carter and Gregorich (2008). The moisture content of vermicompost was determined by oven drying the fresh vermicompost up to constant mass as described in Baruah and Barthakur (1997). Maximum water holding capacity was measured using cylinders with a perforated base and as described by Margesin and Schinner (2005). pH and EC were measured by the method described by FCO (1985). Organic carbon was determined by wet digestion method given by Walkley and Black (1935). Total nitrogen present in vermicompost was determined by standard method given by Piper (1966). For total P, K and S vermicompost samples were digested by diacid digestion. Total phosphorus in the digest was estimated by the vanadomolybdate yellow colour method described by Page et al., (1982). Total potassium was determined by using a known volume of digest (prepared as in total phosphorus) and estimated by flame photometer as described by Page et al., (1982). Total sulphur in the digest was estimated by using BaCl2 crystal as the method given by Tabatabai et al., (1982) with the help of spectrophotometer (420 nm). Microbial population like the population of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, rhizobium, azotobacter, and phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) were also taken into account by counting colony forming unit (cfu g-1) through serial dilution plate technique. Acid and alkaline phosphatase was determined by the colourimetric method given by Tabatabai and Bremner, (1969). Dehydrogenase activity in vermicompost was determined using a spectrophotometer as given by Klein et al., (1971). Microbial biomass carbon was estimated by chloroform fumigation extraction procedure as described by Jenkinson and Powlson (1976) and calculation was made by Vance et al., (1987). The raw materials required for preparation of vermicompost were analysed in the laboratory and these contain as follows: Raw N (%) materials Crop 1.21 residue biomass Cow0.99 dung P (%) K (%) S (%) 0.35 0.88 0.45 0.32 0.64 0.18 Results and Discussion Physical properties of vermicompost Physical properties of vermicompost were presented in table 1. Results revealed that bulk density of vermicompost was found to vary from 0.45 to 0.53 g cm-3 with an average value of 0.48 g cm-3 whereas particle density varied from 1.04 to 1.06 g cm-3 with an average value of 1.05 g cm-3. These vermicomposts are porous and porosity ranged from 0.49 to 0.58 with a mean value of 0.54. Studied vermicomposts when collected were having moisture percentage range between 37.3 to 40.2 per cent with an average of 38.87 per cent. The maximum water holding capacity of this vermicompost varied from 364.63 to 401.31 per cent with an average value of 387.24 per cent. Edwards et al., (2010) recommended that the acceptable moisture content of vermicompost ranges from 30 to 50%. Chemical properties of vermicompost Results of laboratory analysis of vermicompost on chemical properties are presented in table 2. pH of vermicompost was found to range between 6.70 to 7.03 with an average of 6.88. Electrical conductivity varied from 1.80 to 1.82 dS m-1. Organic carbon content varied from 19.32 to 20.16% with an average value of 19.67%. It was found that among the all primary macronutrients, nitrogen content was highest that ranged between 1.24 to 1.58% with an average value of 1.41%, followed by potassium content that 778 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 776-782 ranged between 0.96 to 1.08% with an average value of 1.02% and phosphorus, ranged from 0.39 to 0.45% with the average value of 0.42%. Secondary macronutrient sulphur content in this vermicompost varied from 0.56 to 0.65% with an average of 0.61%. It has been found that macronutrient content in the vermicompost was found to slightly higher than used raw bedding materials. Nath et al., (2009) reported that total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content were slightly increased in vermicomposts than initial feeding materials. According to Suthar et al., (2005) quality of vermicompost depends on feed quality, microbial biomass and decomposition activities during the process. fresh vermicompost of crop biomass and cow dung varied from 5.33 x 107 to 6.67 x 107 and 1.67 x 107 to 2.33 x 107cfu g-1 dry vermicompost with a mean value of 6.22 x 107and 2.11 x 107cfu g-1 dry vermicompost, respectively whereas account of fungi was 14.00 x 104 to 23.67 x 104cfu g-1 dry vermicompost with an average value of 17.78 x 104cfu g-1 dry vermicompost. The population of phosphorus solubilising bacteria (PSB) and azotobacter in the same vermicompost were accounted that ranged from 11.67 x 106 to 15.33x 106 and 10.33 x 106 to 15.33 x 106 with the average values of 13.89 x 106 and 13.11 x 106cfu g-1 dry vermicompost, respectively whereas rhizobium bacteria ranged from 3.00 x 107 to 5.67 x 107 with an average value of 4.33 x 107cfu g-1 dry vermicompost. Therefore, it may be suggested that population count of different microbial properties in the vermicompost of crop residue and cow dung were in the order of total bacteria> rhizobium bacteria> actinomycetes> PSB>azotobacter> fungi. Biological and biochemical properties of vermicompost Under biological properties, population count of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, PSB, rhizobium, azotobacter are presented in table 3. Total bacterial and actinomycetes count of Table.1 Some important physical properties of vermicompost of crop residue and cowdung Properties B.D. (g cm-3) P.D. (g cm-3) Porosity Moisture (%) Max. WHC (%) VCPU-1 0.45 1.04 0.57 40.20 364.63 VCPU-2 0.53 1.03 0.49 37.30 395.79 VCPU-3 0.45 1.06 0.58 39.10 401.31 Mean 0.48±0.05 1.05±0.01 0.54±0.05 38.87±1.46 387.24±19.78 Table.2 Some important chemical properties of vermicompost of crop residue and cowdung Properties pH EC (dS m-1) OC (%) Total N (%) Total P (%) Total K (%) Total S (%) VCPU-1 6.70 1.80 20.16 1.40 0.45 1.08 0.63 VCPU-2 6.90 1.82 19.32 1.58 0.39 1.02 0.65 779 VCPU-3 7.03 1.81 19.54 1.24 0.42 0.96 0.56 Mean 6.88±0.16 1.81±0.01 19.67±0.43 1.40±0.17 0.42±0.03 1.02±0.06 0.61±0.05 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(10): 776-782 Table.3 Some important biological and biochemical properties of vermicompost of crop residue and cowdung Properties VCPU-1 VCPU-2 VCPU-3 Mean 7 -1 6.67 5.33 6.67 6.22±0.77 Bacteria (x 10 cfu g dry vermicompost) 2.33 2.33 1.67 2.11±0.38 Actinomycetes (x107cfu g-1 dry vermicompost) 4 -1 15.67 23.67 14.00 17.78±5.17 Fungi (x 10 cfu g dry vermicompost) 6 -1 15.33 14.67 11.67 13.89±1.95 PSB (x 10 cfu g dry vermicompost) 5.67 3.00 4.33 4.33±1.33 Rhizobium (x 107cfu g-1 dry vermicompost) 6 -1 15.33 10.33 13.67 13.11±2.55 Azotobacter (x 10 cfu g dry vermicompost) -1 -1 57.52 92.9 98.75 83.06±22.31 DHA(μg TPF h g of vermicompost ) 80.22 82.46 83.84 82.17±1.83 Acid phosphatase (μg p-nitrophenol g-1 hr-1) -1 -1 94.02 111.43 105.57 103.67±8.86 Alkaline phosphatase (μg p-nitrophenol g hr ) -1 479.76 502.43 512.84 498±16.91 Microbial Biomass Carbon (mg kg ) Dehydrogenase activity of the same vermicompost varied from 57.52 to 98.75 with the mean value of 83.06 μg TPF h-1g-1 of vermicompost. According to Romaniuk et al., (2011), most of the organic amendments contain partially decomposed carbon material for using soil organisms as an energy source which causes higher rates of respiration. Dehydrogenase activity reflects the whole metabolic activity of microorganisms in a particular area (Dick, 1994). Acid phosphatase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity ranged from 80.22 to 83.84 with an average of 82.17 and 94.02 to 111.43 with mean of 103.67 μg p-nitrophenol g-1 hr-1. Microbial biomass carbon content ranged between 479.76 to 512.84 mg kg-1 with an average value of 498.34 mg kg-1. Microbial biomass carbon is evaluated as the most active part of carbon (1-5% of total carbon). Microbial biomass carbon data reflects the quality of vermicompost as microbes use carbon from easy sources and locked it in their body that normally releases after death (Kumar et al., 2018). microorganisms and enzymes and other important biochemical substances. 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