Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PRODUCTION OF VERMICOMPOST FROM WATER HYACINTH (EICHHORNIA CRASIPES MART. SOLMS) – EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT EARTHWORM SPECIES AND ENRICHMENT ON TOTAL N, P, K, CA AND MG CONTENT OF VERMICOMPOST

Christopher Lourduraj, A. and Sajomon Joseph

Abstract

A study was conducted in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to explore the possibility of conversion of water hyacinth into nutrient rich vermicompost. The experiment consisted of eight treatments viz., vermicomposting of water hyacinth using earthworm E. eugeniae, P. excavatus, Perionyx + Eudrilus mixed culture and a treatment without introduction of earthworm (control). All the above four treatments were tried with and without enrichment by Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria and rock phosphate. The results revealed that water hyacinth is a suitable material for vermicomposting. Among various treatments, vermicomposting with E. eugeniae along with enrichment is superior, considering the total N, P, K, Ca and Mg content of the vermicompost. Enrichment with Azospirillum, phosphobacteria and rock phosphate significantly increased the total N, P and Ca content in the vermicompost.