Vermicomposting of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Cob (pre-digested with Aspergillus niger) without cow dung by utilizing conventional composting earthworms

Viji  | Neelanarayanan       

Vermicompost | Sunflower Cob         

Vol: 2; Iss: 5; May 16 | ISSN: 2454-5422

 In the present investigation the sunflower cob was pre-digested with Aspergillus niger and the same was utilized for the production of vermicompost without cow dung by using Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavatus and Lampito mauritii under monoculture condition. The conversion ratio of waste into vermicompost was found to be high (88%) in the trays in which   L. mauritii was used. Further, it was observed in the end product the L. mauritii produced more number of cocoons and young ones when compared to the other two cultures. The maximum wet biomass was found in E. eugeniae (40±0.05mg). The vermicompost harvested from L. mauritii experimental trays showed remarkable levels of chemical nutrients and higher density of microbial population viz., Bacteria, Actinomycetes and Fungi than the other experimental trays. The results of the present study apparently suggest that the sunflower cob (pre-digested with A. niger) into value added vermicompost without cow dung by utilizing the three earthworm species and in particular L. mauritii is very effective.