Potential utilization of industrial waste as feed material for the growth and reproduction of earthworms

Abstract

The issue of managing organic waste such as animal waste and industrial waste has emerged as a result of the fast development in urbanization around the world. It can be hazardous to the environment and public health if these are not properly stored, collected, and disposed of. These biological wastes can be turned into nutrient-rich biofertilizers using the vermicomposting process. The bio-oxidative method includes the combined activity of earthworms and microbes. The pH, organic carbon, organic matter, and the C:N ratio of the various organic waste mixtures showed a declining tendency during this process but the content of nitrogen, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium showed a rising trend as the vermicomposting time progressed. Maximum earthworm growth and reproduction were reported better in different feed materials prepared from industrial wastes. Therefore, the present review article is based on the knowledge of using earthworms to stabilize waste. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7730476

Keywords

• Bio-fertilizer
• Biological waste
• Cane sugar bagasse
• Distillery effluents
• Industrial waste
• Vermicomposting