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Does starter medium improve epigeic earth worms growth and vermicompost qualities?

Article

Last updated: 04 Jan 2025

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Tags

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Abstract

Vermicomposting is a composting technique that utilizes humus-feeding epigeic earthworms to break down complex organic material into manure with added value (vermicompost), which is rich in beneficial microorganisms and contains nutrients that are accessible to plants. The present study aimed to determine the manure quality of different vermicompost produced from 100% horse dung (T1), 75% horse dung + 25% compost (T2), 50% horse dung + 50% compost (T3), 75% horse dung + 25% mushroom compost (T4), and 50% horse dung + 50% mushroom (T5) using earthworms. The obtained results revealed that T5 vermicompost showed higher physio-chemical traits as it gave the highest organic carbon, organic matter, and ash content with the lowest C/N ratio. A stimulation in the nutrients level has been shown in the T5 vermicompost with stimulation in the growth regulators of gibberellin, indoleacetic acid, cytokinin, and abscisic acid. Microbial populations were much more abundant in all vermicompost samples produced with a significant peak in T5 compost. The maximum earthworm' number 2041.7 and weight 2448.3 g of earthworms were noticed by T5 compost. In conclusion, using 50% horse dung and 50% mushroom as raw materials for vermitechnology produced vermicompost with high-quality characteristics.

DOI

10.21608/ajar.2023.316080

Keywords

vermicompost, Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavates, horse dung, compost mushroom and compost

Authors

First Name

tamer

Last Name

abd elaziz

MiddleName

said

Affiliation

Al- azhar university

Email

tamer_said2013@azhar.edu.eg

City

Egypt

Orcid

-

Volume

48

Article Issue

1

Related Issue

43347

Issue Date

2023-06-01

Receive Date

2023-03-05

Publish Date

2023-06-01

Page Start

210

Page End

223

Print ISSN

1110-1563

Online ISSN

2786-0051

Link

https://ajar.journals.ekb.eg/article_316080.html

Detail API

https://ajar.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=316080

Order

316,080

Type

Original Article

Type Code

929

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Al-Azhar Journal of Agricultural Research

Publication Link

https://ajar.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Does starter medium improve epigeic earth worms growth and vermicompost qualities?

Details

Type

Article

Created At

24 Dec 2024