Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
plant nutrient availability has been enhanced as compare to simple composting
(Nagavallemma et al.
2004
). Other methods are expensive whereas, this method is
feasible, and cost effective for the proficient management of the organic soil waste
(Hand et al.
1988
; Longsdon
1994
). Composting harmful pollutants in the field
could minimize their negative effects on the surrounding environment, including
earthworm populations (Sabrina et al.
2012
).
An experiment was conducted by Sabrina et al. (
2009
) to investigate the effect of
vermicomposting of oil palm EFB in supplying of nutrients for crop. In this study
EFB and OPF were used for vermicomposting. Cow dung was incorporated as an
earthworm's food. The weight, production of cocoon and earthworms mortality was
documented monthly. Results showed that maximum earthworm density illustrated
a superior total nitrogen, potassium and calcium in vermicompost. Hence, vermi-
composting enhanced the superiority of the compost supplies in response to nutrient
content.
It is well recognized that the use of vermicompost is very beneficial for plant
growth and helpful for increasing yield of many crops like Black gram (urad) and
soyabean (Javed and Panwar
2013
), setaria grass (Sabrina et al.
2013
), lilies (Mi-
rakalaei et al.
2013
), marigold (Paul and Bhattacharya
2012
), french bean (Singh
et al.
2011
), cucumber (Azarmi et al
2009
) tomato (Lazcano et al.
2009
), maize
(Gutièrrez-Miceli et al.
2008
), sorghum (Hameeda et al.
2007
), and potato (Alam
et al.
2007a
).
11.4
Role of Micro-organism in Bio-compost
Composting is known to be an extremely intricate process which entails micro-
biological degradation, mass and energy transfer phenomena and coexistence of
non-steady state situation. Among the many parameters developed to measure the
efficiency of composting processes are based on the survival of key degradation
agents, the microorganisms. Considering that composting is an aerobic progression,
the oxygen amount which is required by microorganism to stabilize the organic
wastes must be kept at its optimum level. Other factors for microorganism survival
are sufficient nutrient, space, water and air. These basic requirements have inspired
researchers to create measurable parameters, for instance, water content, oxygen
content, C and N ratio, other nutrient element contents, particle size of substrate,
size of windrow, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, humification ratio, etc.
(Yeoh et al.
2011
).
11.4.1
Microbial Sources
Microorganisms are everywhere in our atmosphere. Most of these microorganisms
grow through the composting practice and participate in organic matter breaking
down. Composting microbes are found all over the natural atmosphere including
