Optimization of vermicomposting technique for sugarcane waste management by using Eisenia fetida

International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online) Vol. 2, No. 10(1), p. 143-155, 2012 http://www.innspub.net RESEARCH PAPER OPEN AESS Optimization of vermicomposting technique for sugarcane waste management by using Eisenia fetida Nitin Prakash Pandit *, Sanjiv Kumar Maheshwari School of Biotechnology, IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, Delhi Road (NH-24), Moradabad 244102, Uttar Pradesh, India Received: 04 September 2012 Revised: 22 September 2012 Accepted: 23 September 2012 Key words: Eisenia fetida, Optimization, Sugarcane wastes, Vermicomposting Abstract Sugarcane industries generate large amount of waste in the form of bagasse and pressmud per day. Most of the part of these wastes are usually burnt in the field due to lack of proper management techniques, which creates severe environmental pollution and health hazards, hence it was thought to attempt use sugarcane pressmud and bagasse for cheap and ecofriendly treatment methods like vermicomposting. It is the proces of compost formation by earthworms. Earthworms are crucial drivers of the process, by fragmenting and conditioning the organic solid substrate and dramatically altering its biological activity. In this study, both wastes were pretreated with an organic nutrient preparation Jeevamrutham (effective microbial suspension) for 15 days at 30 c than it was used to fill up in 2 kg capacity plastic tubs and earthworm Eisenia fetida was used to convert this raw materials into highly nutritive vermicompost. The process were subjected for optimization of parameters like temperature of vermireactor, ph of material, particle size of wastes and moisture content of reactor by using Eisenia fetida earth worm species for six weeks. It was found that 25 C temperature, ph 7.0, 1-2mm particle size, 80 moisture content were optimum parameters of vermicomposting of sugarcane wastes through this earthworm species. It was further found that vermicompost obtained by above method was rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnessium content i.e. 2.3, 2.57, 1.72, 3.34, 2.27 and 1.98 respectively, while it was also rich in some micronutrients i.e. Iron, Zinc, Magneese, Copper, Boron and Aluminium content i.e. 1052, 163, 407, 167, 276 and 964 ppm respectively. Thus, vermicomposting of sugarcane waste is a cheap, excellent and ecofriendly method of sugarcane waste management. *Corresponding Author: Nitin Prakash Pandit nitinpandit07@gmail.com 143 Pandit and Maheshwari

Introduction Pressmud and Bagasse are commonly known as major wastes of the sugar industry. Sugarcane pressmud & bagassi are soft, spongyamorphous and dark brown to brownish white material containing lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose fibres. Lignin degradation takes more time because of its structural complexity (Buswell, 1995). Lignin is a natural polymer having complex three dimensional structure, the phenolic compounds. While cellulose and starch contain glucose units. Pectins contain galacturonic acid monomers. Hemicelluloses contain mannans, xylans and galactans. Due to lack of proper waste management techniques either it is discharged openly or along roadsides or railway tracks or stored in the sugar mill premises (Parthasarthi et al., 2008). Besides the loss of organic matter and plant nutrients, burning of crop residues also causes atmospheric pollution due to the emission of toxic gases methane, carbon dioxide that poses threat to human and ecosystem. Vermicomposting is a decomposition process involving the joint action of earthworms and microorganisms under which earthworms recycles the organic waste residues and significantly increases the amount of N, P and K, Ca, Mg, useful microorganisms, (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa) hormones, enzymes and vitamins and certain micronutrients needed for plant growth (Lee, 1985, Bansal and Kapoor, 2000, Jambhekar, 1992). By using variety of earthworms, number of wastes those containing high quantity of cellulose, hemi cellulose, lignin, starch etc. can be converted into vermicompost (Table 1). Although micro flora present in the gut of earthworm are responsible for the biochemical degradation of organic matter, earthworms are crucial drivers of the process, by fragmenting and conditioning the substrate and dramatically altering its biological activity. One Kg earthworm can consume one Kg organic materials in a day. The casts of earthworms promote growth of many important microorganisms like nitrogen fixers and phosphate solublisers. In general in the presence of casts and earthworms these microorganisms multiply faster (Parle, 1963, Satchell, 1967). Earthworms secrete mucus and some fluids and in this way maintain ph of surrounding between 6.5 to 7.5 which is favorable for soil microflora. Vermicompost has sweet and earthy pleasant smell like the smell of first rain (Kadam, 2004). Out of soil microflora many micro organisms can degrade above different plant components and can work with earth worms. The temperature, ph, organic matter, moisture available in organic matter and particle size and C : N ratio are the major environmental factors which directly affect the growth and activities of earthworm. According to season, fluctuation is seen in the number of factors like moisture content, temperature etc. In this condition in earthworm s growth, reproduction, respiration shows variation. In unfavorable condition they remain calm and show very negligible activity. In recent years integrated system of vermicomposting have been designed for the enhancement of bioconversion efficiency of earthworm to overcome the problem of lignocellulosic waste degradation of different crop residues and industrial organic by-products, under which solid organic waste were inoculated with some bioinoculants and subsequently vermicomposting through earthworms (Kumar et al., 2010). Hence present study deals with, the sugacane waste (especially pressmud & bagasse) admixed with Jeevamrutham (an organic growth promoter suspension) initialy, after partial decomposition of waste can be an excellent raw material for vermicomposting, than it was used for the optimization of vermicomposting parameters (like ph, temperature, moisture of reactor, particle size of waste) using Eisenia fetida earth worm than study on some physicochemical nature of vermicompost (i.e ph, EC, C, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Bo & Al) prepared from sugarcane pressmud and bagasse. 144

Materials and methods Jeevamrutham preparation Two hundred liters of water was taken as a stock solution. To which, the following ingredients were mixed: 10 Kg desi Cowdung (Cow dung of the native Indian breed cow, collected fresh) 5 to 10 litres of desi cow's urine. (Urine can be collected and stored for any number of days, does not lose quality) 2 Kg of Palmyra jaggery and 2-4 L of sugar cane juice Flour of black gram - best if hand ground; not as effective if ground in a power grinders the particle size varies Handful of chemical free soil First the cow dung and urine were added to water, then jaggery, flour and soil were added together to that solution content was stirred clockwise for couple of minutes and this was done 3 times a day. The solution fermented, within 48-72 h. The solution was stored in protective sterile containers. Sugarcane wastes The sugarcane wastes especially Bagassi (B), Pressmud (PM) were collected from the Simbhaouli Sugar Mill, Simbhaoli, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. All types of sugar-cane by-products were chopped in to small pieces (3-4 cm) & kept in shade for 15 days on 30 C for the removal of noxious gases and extra moisture content before using for the vermicomposting (Sangwan et al., 2008). Earthworms In the present studies the well known species of earthworm Eisenia fetida (Fig. 1) was obtained from a vermiculture & vermicomposting unit of Bareilly University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. The stock culture of the earthworm was maintained in plastic containers using cowdung as growth medium in laboratory condition. This was further used in the vermicomposting experiment. Preparation of Vermicomposting container/tubs For vermicomposting plastic tubs of size 25 X 15 cm and of 2 kg capacity were used. The shade dried sugar-cane residues (B & PM) were then blended with organic growth promoter Jeevamrutham which is rich in microbes and used as a bulking agent to increase the C/N ratio of wastes. The mixture was prepared by mixing 1000 ml of Jeevamrutham, 1000 g sugarcane bagasse and 1000 g sugarcane pressmud (Moisture content of this admixture was determined by gravimetric method (APHA, 1985) and was adjusted to 80 by sprinkling water) and then this admixture was used for vermicomposting process. General vermicomposting process The 2 kg material was filled in the set of six plastic tubs (in triplicate) and kept in dark for six weeks by adding two earthworms / pot. Every week the weight of earthworm biomass / pot and count of cocoons / pot was taken after thorough washing and blotting of earthworms and cocoons and then they were reinoculated in the respective pots. This procedure was followed for every week till six weeks Optimization of parameters of vermicomposting Effect of Temperature on the vermicomposting: The temperature range selected for experiment was 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 c taking into account average minimum and maximum temperatures found in the Moradabad region and in the seasonal variations in the year. For every temperature selected, the three plastic tubs / pots were used and were incubated for six weeks in BOD incubators and biomass weight of earthworm and cocoons count / pot was taken as above. Effect of ph of material on the vermicomposting: The ph of vermicomposting material was adjusted with 1 N HCL / 1 N NaOH to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The ph values adjusted materials were filled in 2 kg amount in three pots (in triplicate) and inoculated with two earthworms per pot and incubated in dark at 25 c for six weeks. The average 145

biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot was taken per week as above. Effect of particle size of material on the vermicomposting: (ph of material was adjusted to ph 7.0). The particle size range of material selected for experiment was 0.5-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-4 mm, 5-10 mm, 10-20 mm and material of each particle size was filled in three pots in 2 kg amounts (in triplicate) and inoculated with two earthworms / pot and incubated at 25 C for six weeks in dark. The average biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot was taken per week as above. Effect of moisture content of material on the vermicomposting: (ph of material was adjusted to 7.0 and 1-2 mm size). The moisture contents of vermicomposting material was adjusted to 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 with water and filled in 2 kg amounts in three pots (in triplicate) and inoculated with two earthworms / pot and incubated at 25 c in dark for six weeks. The average biomass of worms and cocoon count / pot was taken per week as above. Physicochemical analysis of the vermicompost prepared from sugarcane waste By using optimized parameter of vermicomposting i.e. temperature of incubation (25 c), ph (7.0), particle size (1-2mm) and moisture content (80) of organic material, vermicomposting was done in 2 kg pots (in triplicate) with preparation of 2 types of pots (1). Control (without Eisenia fetida) (2). Test (with Eisenia fetida) and after six weeks of incubation the sample (compost from control and vermicompost from test) were drawn by straining out off juveniles (earthworms) and their cocoons and than it was analyzed for ph, electrical conductivity, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium and micronutrients. Determinations of these parameters were carried out by using the following procedure: Water extracts of vermicompost were obtained by mechanically shaking the samples with distilled water at 1:5 (w/v) for 1 h. The suspensions glass wool filtrates were used for the determination of ph and electrical conductivity (Garg et.al., 2006). Total organic carbon was estimated by using the method of Nelson and Sommers (1982). Total Kjeldahl s nitrogen was determined by Bremmer and Mulvaney (1982) procedure. Colorimetric estimation of total phosphorus and flame photometer determination of total potassium, sodium was done by following the method of Bansal and Kapoor (2000). Calcium and Magnesium were estimated by EDTA titration method (Piper, 1966). All other micronutrients were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) after filtering the extracts obtained from the digestion of the ashes with 3N HCl. The obtained data were expressed as mean ± SD of 3 replicates. Two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determined any significant (P < 0.05) difference among the parameters observed. Results and discussion Incubation temperature optimization studies The table 2 shows that out of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 c temperatures used for incubation there was gradual increased in biomass of earthworms and cocoon production from 15-30 C temperatures at all the six weeks incubation and maximum average biomass of 1761 mg and average of 18 cocoons were produced at 25 C. At the incubation temperatures beyond 25 C i.e. 35, 40 C the earthworms could not survive indicating 25 C being optimal when the 7.0 ph and 1-2 mm particle size of material used. It was reported by Munnoli, 2007, Yadav et al., 2010, Munnoli, 1998, Tripathy and Bharadwaj 2004, Kadam, 2004, Loehr et al., 1985 that above 30 c high mortality of Eisenia fetida was observed. The better biomass and cocoon production was reported by them at 25-30 c temperatures. It was observed that the results of present studies regarding vermicomposting temperature using Eisenia fetida are constant. 146

ph optimization studies The ph range of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 was used for the studies. It is evident from table 3 that at ph values 2, 3 and 4 and at ph 9 and 10 earthworms did not survive indicating totally unfavorable ph. While there was gradual increased in the average biomass earthworms and average cocoon production from ph 5 to 8. The maximum average biomass obtained at the end of 6 th week was 7150 mg and maximum average cocoon production of 26 at ph 7, indicating ph 7 being optimal for vermicomposting with E. fetida at 25 c temperature and 1-2 mm particle size. Earthworms are very sensitive to ph, thus ph of soil or waste is sometimes a factor that limits the distribution, numbers and species of earthworms. It was reported by Sivakumar, 2009 that maximum biomass and cocoon production of E. fetida was obtained at ph 7.0 which is consistent with present findings. Several researchers have stated that most species of earthworms prefer a ph of about 7.0 (Singh, 1997, Narayan, 2000, Pagaria and Totwat, 2007, Suthar, 2008). Edwards (1995) reported a wide ph range (5.0-9.0) for maximizing the productivity of earthworms in SOW management. Fig. 1. Eisenia fetida. Particle size optimization studies The particle size ranged selected was 0.5-1.0, 1-2, 2-4, 5-10 and 10-20 mm. It is evident from table 4 that the average biomass increase and cocoon production was gradual from 0.5-1 to 1-2 mm size i.e. 2-4, 5-10 and 10-20 mm the average biomass and cocoon production was decreased. The maximum average biomass of 1859 mg and maximum average cocoon production of 13 was obtained at the end of 6 th week at 1-2 mm particle size indicating 1-2 mm particle size of material is optimal for vermicomposting using E. fetida at ph 7.0, 25 c temperatures and 80 moisture level. It was reported by Kadam, 2004 that maximum biomass of E. eugeniae was attained at 1 mm particle size using Tendu leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb) as raw material and findings in present investigations showed 1-2 mm particle size as optimal. These findings supported present results indicating large size particles are not amenable to earthworms. Moisture content optimiztion studies It is evident from table 5 that when vermicomposting was carried out at ph 7.0 and 25 c temperature and 1-2 mm particle size of material and with selected moisture levels of 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 there was gradual increase in the biomass of earthworms at all selected moisture levels every week till end of 6 th week but maximum biomass increase and cocoon production was obtained 80 moisture content viz. initial average biomass of 175 mg to 3363 mg average biomass and average 15 cocoons at the end of 6 th week where as at 50, 60, 70 and 90 moisture level comparatively less biomass and cocoon production was obtained. It indicated that 80 moisture level was the optimum level for vermicomposting of sugarcane waste using E. fetida. Edwards et al., 1985 reported suitable moisture level of 50-90 for Eisenia foetida and 80-90 being optimal, while Dominguez and Edwards, 1997 reported 85 as optimal moisture level for Eisenia andrei when grown on pig manure. Viljoen and Reinceke, 1990 reported 79-80.5 as optimal moisture level for E. eugeniae grown on cattle manure. Dresser and McKee, 1980 reported 50-80 moisture level as suitable for vermicomposting while Kaplan,1980, Kadam, 2004 reported maximum biogas and cocoon production at 70-80 moisture level. These reports thus support findings of present investigations. 147

Table 1. Type of Solid Organic Wastes (SOW) and Earthworm species employed for Vermicomposting Sr. No. Solid Organic Waste (SOW) Species employed Reference 1 Potato peels Pheretima elongate Munnoli et al., 2000 2 Canteen waste Eisenia fetida Kale, 1994; Narayan, 2000 3 Tomato skin seed Pheretima elongate Singh, 1997 4 Onion residue Eisenia fetida/eudrilus eugeniae White, 1996 5 Board mill sludge Lumbricus terrestris Butt et al., 2005 6 Sugar cane residues Pheretima elongate Bhawalkar, 1995 7 Gaur gum Eudrilus eugeniae Suthar, 2006, 2007 8 Agricultural residues Eudrilus eugeniae Kale, 1994 9 Sago waste Lampito mauritii Rajesh et al., 2008 10 Sago waste Eisenia fetida Subramaniana et al., 2010 11 Onion waste Eudrilus eugeniae Mishra et al., 2009 12 Garlic waste Eisenia fetida Mishra et al., 2009 13 Human feces Eisenia fetida Yadav et al., 2010 14 Paper mill sludge Eisenia fetida Kaur et al., 2010 15 Press mud, bagassi, trash Drawida willsi Kumar et al., 2010 16 Press mud Perionyx ceylanensis Mani and Karmegam, 2010 Table 2. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different incubation temperatures in Vermicomposting (ph-7, particle size- 1-2 mm) Sr. Incub. Initial Average results in different weeks / pot No. Temp. Average ( C) Bio- Mass Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 1. 15 152, 166, 109, 182, (3) 120, 196, (5) 129, (167) 207, 136, 213, 140, 215, 141, 2. 20 177, 547, (2) 309, 834, (4) 471, 1296, 732, (550) 1357, (12) 767, (600) 1371, (13) 775, (650) 1379, (14) 779, (700) 3. 25 165, 890, 539, 1166, 706, (150) 1714, 1039, (250) 1730, (17) 1048, (283) 1755, (18) 1063, 1761, (18) 1067, 4. 30 160, 623, (3) 389, 908, (7) 567, (233) 1383, (12) 864, (400) 1396, (14) 872, (467) 1416, 885, 1419, 887, 5. 35 174, - - - - - - - - - - - - 6. 40 178, - - - - - - - - - - - - Incub. Temp. Incubation Temperature; - Biomass and - Cocoon Count

Table 3. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different ph values of organic material in Vermicomposting (Temperature 25 C, particle size-1-2 mm) Sr. No. ph Initial Average Bio- Mass Average results in different weeks / pot Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 1. 2 144, - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. 3 170, - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. 4 175, - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. 5 183, 316, (2) 173, 567, (7) 310, (350) 634, 346, (450) 650, 355, 663, 362, (550) 669, 365, (550) 5. 6 140, 3677, 2626, 4706, (13) 3361, (216) 5136, (17) 3668, (283) 5251, (18) 3750, 5295, (19) 3782, (317) 5335, (19) 3810, (317) 6. 7 164, 5446, 3320, 6177, (17) 3766, (189) 7002, (22) 4269, (244) 7086, (23) 4320 (255) 7120, (25) 4341, (278) 7150, (26) 4359, (288) 7. 8 180, 4361, (5) 2422, 5522, (12) 3067, (240) 5884, (14) 3268, (280) 5932, 3295 6037, 3354, 6053, (16) 3362, (320) 8. 9 175 - - - - - - - - - - - - 9. 10 153 - - - - - - - - - - - - Incub. Temp. Incubation Temperature; - Biomass and - Cocoon Count Table 4. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different Particle Sizes of Vermicomposting Material (ph 7, Temperature of incubation - 25 C) Sr. No. Particle Sizes (mm) Initial Average Bio- Average results in different weeks / pot Mass Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 1. 0.5 1 185, 318, 172, 779, 421, 926, 500, 1064, 575, 1099, 594, 1136, 614, (2) (4) (8) (400) 2. 1 2 164, 876, 534, 1251, 763, 1771, 1080, 1826, 1113, 1841, 1122, 1859, 1133, (4) (5) (125) (7) (175) (225) (275) (13) (325) 3. 2 4 180, 522, 290, 945, 525, 1323, 735, 1448, 804, 1483, 823, 1523, 846, (5) (7) (140) (180) (220) (220) 4. 5 10 166, 297, 179, 374, 225, 640, 386, 684, 412, 719, 433, 757, 456, (7) (117) (12) (13) (216) (14) (233) (14) (233) 5. 10 20 156, 196, 126, 281, 180, 409, 262, 466, 299, 532, 341, 602, 386, (8) (133) (167) (183) (183) (183) Incub. Temp. Incubation Temperature; - Biomass and - Cocoon Count 149

Sr. No. Table 5. Growth of Eisenia fetida at different Moisture Level of Vermicomposting Material (ph 7, Temperature of incubation - 25 C, Particle Size of Material 1-2 mm) Moisture Level of Material () Initial Average Bio- Mass Average results in different weeks / pot Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 1. 50 196, 2. 60 188, 3. 70 157, 4. 80 175, 5. 90 181, 416, (2) 594, (2) 646, (3) 819, (4) 311, (3) 212, 316, 411, 468, 172, 646, (5) 981, 1088, 1376, (8) 584, (5) 329, (250) 521, 693, 786, 323, (166) 912, (8) 1491, 2402, 3177, 902, (7) 465, (400) 793, (450) 1530, (333) 1815, (275) 498, (233) 949, 1537, 2455, 3224, (13) 932, (8) Incub. Temp. Incubation Temperature; - Biomass and - Cocoon Count 484, (450) 817, 1563, (366) 1842, (325) 515, (266) 985, 1575, 2497, (12) 3295, 955, 502, (450) 838, (550) 1590, (400) 1882, (375) 528, 1017, 1612, 2539, (12) 3363, 979, 519, (450) 857, (550) 1617, (400) 1922, (375) 541, Table 6. Physicochemical analysis of sugarcane waste based Vermicompost (Mean ± SD) Sr. No. Parameters Initial Nutrient Status Control (Compost With out Eisenia fetida) Test (Vermicompost With Eisenia fetida) 0 Day 45 Days 45 Days 1 ph 8.37±0.39* 7.69±0.27* 7.13±0.50* 2 EC (ds/m) 1.02±0.48 0.96±0.25* 0.87±0.21* 3 C () 45.7±0.46* 37.2±0.39* 26.4±0.42* 4 N () 1.2±0.49* 1.5±0.27* 2.3±0.53* 5 P () 2.42±0.56* 2.48±0.42 2.57±0.40 6 K () 1.35±0.38 1.50±0.21* 1.72±0.37* 7 Ca () 1.56±0.34 2.11±0.51 2.27±0.40* 8 Mg () 1.29±0.42* 1.64±0.37 1.98±0.31 9 Na () 2.30±0.59* 2.98±0.57* 3.34±0.20* 10 Fe (ppm) 879±3.21 969±4.71* 1052±6.36* 11 Zn (ppm) 112±5.46* 155±2.23 163±3.21* 12 Mn (ppm) 382±4.32 399±3.23* 407±1.03* 13 Cu (ppm) 132±5.23* 156±2.49* 167±2.87* 14 Bo (ppm) 189±5.39* 254±4.89 276±4.62* 15 Al (ppm) 952±4.16* 958±3.27* 964±1.89 *Significant at P < 0.05 150

Physicochemical charecteristics of the vermicompost prepared from sugarcane waste Changes in ph, electrical conductivity, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients are presented in table 6. The results suggested that earthworms play a very important role in processing sugarcane wastes in to organic manure by accelerating the process of decomposition and the manure was more homogenous after 45 days (app. 6 weeks). As the vermicomposting progressed, ph tended towards neutral (8.37 to 7.13) and the decrease in ph was caused by the volatilization of ammonical nitrogen and H+ released due to microbial nitrification process by nitrifying microbes (Eklind and Kirchmann, 2000). Other researchers (Suthar and Singh, 2008) have shown higher reduction in ph in the vermireactors. The EC was reduced (1.02 to 0.87 ) and it may be due the loss of weight of organic matter and release of different mineral salts in available form. Some researchers (Sibi and Manpreet, 2011, Meena and Ajay, 2011) have shown reduction in EC in verious vermireactor. The organic carbon (TOC) was declined (45.7 to 26.4 ) during this period. Maximum reduction in TOC may be due to the respiratory activity of earthworms and microorganisms (Curry et al., 1995). Earthworm modify the substrate condition which consequently promotes the carbon losses from the substrate through microbial respiration in form of CO2 and even through mineraliztion of organic matter (Bansal and Kapoor, 2000). The observed results are supported by those of other researchers (Kaviraj and Sharma, 2003, Khwairakpam and Bhargava, 2009, Vasanthi et al., 2011) who have reported 20-45 and 40-50 reduction of TOC as CO2 during vermicomposting of municipal or industrial wastes and filter mud respectively. Total nitrogen content was increased (1.2 to 2.3 ) at the end of study. Earthworm activity enriches the nitrogen profile of vermicompost through microbial mediated nitrogen transformation, through addition of mucus and nitrogenous wastes secreted by earthworms. Decrease in ph may be an important factor in nitrogen retention as N2 is lost as volatile ammonia at high ph values. Increase in nitrogen content in vermicompost of sugarcane trash and cow dung substrate as compared to controls was reported by Ramalingam and Thilagar (2000). Atiyeh et al., (2000) reported that by enhancing nitrogen mineraliztion, earthworms have a great impact on nitrogen transformation in manure, so that nitrogen retained in the nitrate form. Total phosphorus content was greater at the end of vermicomposting (2.57 ) than the initial day (2.42 ). Increase in the amount of phosphorus in the vermicompost with the progress of time was reported by Tripathi and Bharadwaj (2004) and release of phosphorus in available form is partly available by earthworm gut phosphatases (Lee, 1992). The potassium and sodium content were increased (1.35 to 3.7 and 2.30 to 3.34 ) at the end of study. Which may be due to the metabolic activity of microorganisms present in earthworms gut. Solubilization of inorganic sodium and potassium in organic wastes by microorganisms through acid production was claimed by Premuzic et al., (1998). Suthar (2007) suggested that earthworm processed waste material contains high concentration of exchangeable Na & K, due to enhanced microbial activity during the vermicomposting process, which consequently enhance the rate of mineraliztion. Calcium and magnesium content were increased (1.56 to 2.27 and 1.29 to 1.98 ) during the study period. It suggested that gut process associated with calcium & magnessium metabolism are primarily responsible for enhanced content of inorganic calcium and magnessium content in worm cast. However, the similar pattern of calcium & magnessium enhancement is well documented in available literature (Garg et al., 2006). Micronutrient contents were significantly increased at the end of six weeks when compare to the initial day.

Acknowledgement This work was supported by Department of Biotechnology, IFTM University Moradabad (UP). The authors wish to record his sincere thanks to Prof. R. M. Dubey, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Anupam Srivastav, Pro Vice Chancellor, IFTM University, Moradabad for their valuable suggestions and encouragement during the course of this study. bioconversion into a nutrients rich vermicompost. The vermicompost obtained from these wastes can also be used as a bio-organic fertilizer for crops. It is presumed that this will facilitate higher conversion rate and reduction in the number of days for bioconversion. The results obtained prove the potential of vermicomposting technology for degradation of sugarcane waste amended with Jeevamrutham. Conclusion All carbon containing compounds undergoes essentially oxidation process by the action of microbes which results in the release of various nutrients, CO2 and humus. Soft plant based materials are easily decomposed and deoxidized by microbes. However, tougher plant materials do not breakdown readily by soil microbes and animals. The final process of organic matter decomposition viz., mineralization and humidification although are brought out by microorganisms, these are accelerated when they pass through the guts of earthworms probably due to the presence of intestinal micro flora and enzymes in the worm s gut (Edwards and Lofty, 1975, Lee, 1985). The results of the present study indicated that sugarcane wastes (especially pressmud and bagasse) admixed with jeevamrutham and after partial decomposition of waste material, it works as an excellent pallatable raw material for vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida earth worm. Than conditions for vermicomposting (i.e. ph, Temp., Moisture & Particle size of matter) were optimized and produced vermicompost was found to be better in terms of the following aspects viz. (i) High rate of bioconversion, (ii) Production of high number of young ones and cocoons in the medium, (iii) Desired level of composition of nutrients in the vermicompost i.e., macronutrients (C, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg ) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Bo, Al ppm) was comparatively better than the control (non worms work reactor). Hence, it is recommended that Sugarcane wastes admixed with jeevamrutham at 2:1 ratio may be used for fast References APHA. 1985. Standard Methods for examination of Water and Waste Water, 16 th Edition. Atiyeh RM, Dominguez J, Subler S, Edwards C. 2000. Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during processing by earthworms (Eisenia ander Bauche) and the effects on seedling growth. Journal of Pedobiologia 44, 709-724. Bansal, Kapoor KK. 2000. Vermicomposting of Crop Residues and Cattle Dung with Eisenia foetida. Biores Technol. 73 (2), 95-98. Bhawalkar VS. 1995. Vermiculture bioconversion of organic residues, PhD thesis, IIT Mumbai, India 15-45. Bremmer JM, Mulvaney RG. 1982. Nitrogen Total In: A.L. page R.H. Millar and D.R. Keeney (eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, American Society of Agronomy, Medison, 575-624. Buswell JA, Odier E. 1995. Lignin Biodegradation. Critical Reviews In Biotechnology 6, 1-60. Butt KR, Nieminen MV, Siren T. 2005. Population and behavior level responces of arable soil earthworms to broad mill sludge application. Biology and Fertility of Soils 42, 163-167. Curry JP, Byrne D, Boyle KE. 1995. The earthworm of winter cereal field and its effects on 152

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