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Influence of Amount of Red Worm (eisenia Foetida) on the Organic Matter Degradation During Vermicomposting of Cattle Manure

A Rahman
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202

MA Hashem
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202

AKMA Kabir
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202

MKJ Bhuiyan
Department of Agricultural statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202

MM Rahman
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study aimed to understand the degradation pattern of organic substances through different amount of red worms during vermicomposting of cattle manure. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted with three treatments e.g., T₁ (vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 50 g of red worms), T₂ (vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 100 g of red worms) and T₃ (vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 150 g of red worms) with 3 replications. Parameters studied were dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), crude fiber (CF), carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N) and pH at different days of intervals. Results showed that the amount of red worms has a significant influence on the quality of the final vermicompost. The highest DM content was observed in T₃ and the lowest DM content was observed in T₁ after 45 days of composting. There were significant (p<0.001) higher reduction rate of OM, OC and CF were found in T₃ compared to T₁ and T₂ and the differences were also significant (p<0.001) among days intervals over 45 days of experimental period. TN content gradually increases with the increase of time. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in TN alteration among treatments along with time intervals. There was significant differences (P<0.001) in C/N among treatments and a gradual increment of C/N was found with the advancement of the vermicomposting. There were a little changes in pH of all the treatments but those treatments were not followed a trend during the total experimental period. Finally, it may be concluded that organic matter degradation rate is faster in T₃ compared to T₁ and T₂. These might be indicated that amount of red worms are an important factors of OM decomposition or digestion during vermicomposting period.

Keywords: Cattle manure; Red worm; Vermicompost; Organic matter Degradation

Location: Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Start Date: 00-01-2019

End Date: 00-03-2019

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Cattle

Objectives:

The present study was carried out with the following objectives: To compare the efficiency of organic matter (OM) degradation among different level of worms used for vermicomposting. To know the efficiencies of earthworm activity during OM decomposition of cow manure with different amount of worms used. To know the chemical composition of vermicompost produced from cattle manure.

Methodology:

Experiment site and duration- The experiment was done in two phases: The first phase was the preparation of vermicompost from cattle manure and the second phase was laboratory analysis of vermicompost. Preparation of vermicompost was carried out at the Goat, Sheep and Horse Farm under the Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The vermicomposting period was 45 days started from 28 January 2019 to 12 March 2019. The laboratory analysis of the vermicompost was carried out at laboratory in the Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Design of the experiment- To fulfill the objectives of the study and experiment was conducted with three different treatments e.g., vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 50 g of red worms (T_I), vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 100 g of worms (T₂) and vermicomposting of 25 kg cowdung using 150 g of red worms (T₃). There were three replications in each treatment to minimize the experimental errors. The samples were collected from vermicomposting pits at 0, 15, 30 and 45 days for proximate analysis. Collection of red worms, raw materials and preparation of vermicomposting pit- There is a rich breeding stock of red worms in the farm section of waste recycle and renewable energy laboratory of Department of Animal Science, BAU. Cattle also available in goat and sheep farm under the Department of Animal Science, BAU. Red worm was collected and stored in appropriate breeding condition previously before setting the vermicomposting operation. Nine concrete pits, locally called as chari was used to prepare vermicompost. Three treatments were replicated three times each and a total of nine vermicomposting pits were used in this experiment. On preparation of vermicompost no filler materials was used. The chari/pits were semicircular in shape having a diameter of 0.5 meter and a height of 0.3 meter. The pots were kept still and secure condition under a tin-shed building having secured perimeters. Approximately 25 kg manure was collected for each chari/pit and a total of 225 kg cowdung were utilized for this experiment. Vermicomposting process- Initially, all the 9 chari/pits/composting beds were cleaned and 25 kg raw manure was added to each chari and then different amount of red worms (T₁, T₂ and T₃ with 3 replications) were added on the surface of the vermicomposting pit. Previously, the manure was sorted to remove unwanted materials or plastic/inorganic material with organic waste. Approximately 75-80% moisture was maintained initially for easy movement of the red worms. All bins/chari were placed in the vermicomposting shed to prevent from sun or rain. All the chari/pits were placed with a fixed distance to avoid closeness. It is not recommended to let the pit too dry or over water as it killed the worms. Moisture level was checked in the composting bin on a regular basis. Collection of samples for laboratory analysis- First sample was collected from the raw cowdung on the 1^st day of experiment. Nearly about half month of interval from starting this process, samples were collected from the vermicomposting pits/chari. Every fortnightly, 9 samples (3 treatments with 3 replications) were collected to analyze the said parameters. Vermicompost samples were analyzed in the laboratory of Animal Science, BAU. The collected samples were stored in refrigerator in Animal Science laboratory for further analysis. Second collection was after 15^thdays and the third sample collection was on the 30^th day of vermicomposting process and the final sample was collected on the 45^th day of composting process. After each collection of samples were analyzed to determine DM, OM, Ash, OC, TN, CF, C/N ratio and pH after collection of each replicated sample. Statistical analysis- The data were analyzed for in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) through SAS statistical software. Significant mean values were tested with DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test). All data were presented as Mean±SEM.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (1): 45-54

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v49i1.49377

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Vermicomposting activity involves in breeding and reproduction of earthworm. Amount of red worms indicate the number of worms that would be involved in decomposition of organic matter in the vermicomposting pit. Significant OM degradation was occurred in all the three treatment groups, but better result was found in T₃, means that 150 g red worm efficiently degraded 25 kg cow dung within 45 days. Higher amount of red worm shows the better decomposition of OM in this experiment. It may be concluded that organic matter degradation rate was faster during vermicomposting of 25 kg cattle manure which treated with 150 g of red worms than that of 100 g and 50 g of red worm respectively.

Knowledge Management: Journal