Efficiency of Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg in vermicomposting three different forms of salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell)
Department of Zoology, St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Manjakuppam, Cuddalore 600701, Tamil Nadu, India.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(03), 443–448
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.3.0403
Publication history:
Received on 26 January 2023; revised on 10 March 2023; accepted on 13 March 2023
Abstract:
Purpose: Ten–month long trials were conducted on different vermireactors fed with one of the following forms of Salvinia molesta: a) fresh whole plants, b) chopped plants, and c) sun-dried plants (24 h).
Method: The reactors were operated in two modes–semi-continuous and batch.
Results: The experiments revealed two clear trends (i) vermireactors operated in semi-continuous fashion performed better in terms of vermicast yield, earthworm growth and reproduction compared to batch reactors, (ii) sun-dried salvinia was the most preferred form of feed by Eudrilus eugeniae.
Conclusions: The maximum vermicast output (60.5%) and increase in earthworm zoomass (75.2%) had been achieved from sun-dried plants as feed followed by chopped and whole plants in vermireactors operated in semi-continuous mode.There was no mortality in any of the reactors. Thus, the experiments confirm that S. molesta can be sustainably vermicomposted in any of the forms with E. eugeniae.
Keywords:
Vermicomposting; Eudrilus eugeniae; Vermicast; Salvinia molesta; Vermireactors
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