CULTIVATION OF INDUSTRIAL WORMS BY CONTAINER METHOD IN THE CONDITIONS OF ZHYTOMYR POLISSIA

Abstract

The efficiency of different worm types application is analyzed during the ternary substrate composting in the container method in the conditions of the Zhytomyr Polissia. At the same time, after three-months composting the highest reproductive ability was recorded at a worm of Dendrobaena veneta – 25.3 eggs (cocoons) per one individual of reproductive age. However, the biggest biomass of a vermiculture on a finishing stage of composting was received when using the Staratel worm, due to significant growth of the number of young individuals per one substrate unit. It is also established that the vermiculture considerably accelerates process of composting of organic substrate, provides improvement of agrochemical and biological indicators of compost. In this way, the content of nitrogen increased in comparison to control by 116.7 %, phosphorus – 72.7 and 81.8 %, and potassium – 25.0 and 40.0 %, respectively in vermikompost of the Californian worm and Staratel during cultivation. When using Dendroben's the content of nitrogen increased by 58.3 %, phosphorus – for 63.6 %, and potassium – for 35 % concerning control. Increase in maintenance of humified organics in substrate on options with vermiculture for 20.9–26.4 % concerning control indicates the increasing of compost energy potential due to positive changes in structure of an organic part due to increase of the detritus and a humified organic part. Further researches will be directed to establishment of the best ratio between components for composting (manure : green material : leaves or straw) and also optimization of the modes of moistening and temperature in containers for providing comfortable conditions for development of a vermiculture and production of high-quality compost. The economic efficiency of the offered technology for the production of vermicompost by container method is high even at the wholesale prices – relatively net profit was 3217 UAH/t.

Keywords

• californian worms
• dendrobena
• staratel
• vermiculture
• vermikompost
• biohumus
• organic technology.