Vermicomposting of Terrestrial Weeds: An Approach for Sustainable Agriculture and Solid Waste Management

Abstract

This study was designed to find out the feasibility of vermicomposting terrestrial weed Lantanacamara. Plastic caret has been used to design compost pit and both the weeds has been mixed in 1:1 ratio. Five different concentrations of weeds mixture and cow dung have been prepared and Eiseniafetida is used for vermicomposting. Physico-chemical parameters of the sample are analyzed after 45, 60 and 90 days. In all the treatments, variation in pH, EC, TOC, C:N ratio, N_total, P_aval, Na and K are recorded. In all the experimental pits, decrease in the concentration of pH (2.3–13.9%), conductivity, total organic carbon (17.3–63.7%) has been observed during the entire composting period. The increase in the concentration of total nitrogen, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus has also been observed. The results indicated that Lantana can be used as a raw material for vermicomposting if mixed with cow dung in appropriate quantity.