Vol. 10, Issue 1, Part C (2025)

Author(s): KR Gharat, MG Mote, DK Deokar and VS Patil

Abstract: This study investigates the efficacy of Eisenia fetida in composting diverse livestock wastes (cattle, goat, sheep and poultry) and their combinations at various proportions. An experiment was conducted using seven treatments, including three combinations of livestock wastes and 4 individual treatments. Chemical properties were assessed at 0, 20^th and 60^th days of vermicomposting. The beds of size 6ft × 4ft × 2ft were made consisting treatments viz. T₁(70 kg crop residues + 170 kg cow dung), T₂ (70 kg crop residues+ 170 kg goat beats), T₃ (70 kg crop residues + 170 kg sheep beats), T₄ (70 kg crop residues + 170 kg poultry droppings), T₅ (70 kg crop residues+ 85 kg cow dung + 85 kg poultry droppings), T₆ (70 kg crop residues + 85 kg cow dung+ 85 kg goat beats), T₇ (70 kg crop residues + 85 kg cow dung + 85 kg sheep beats).Vermicomposting of livestock wastes resulted in a slight decrease in pH at 60^th day of vermicomposting, ranging from 6.18 to 7.20, with the lowest pH observed in T₃ (6.18) and highest in T₄ (7.20). As the process of vermicomposting progressed, NPK content increased in vermicompost compared to fresh manure, with poultry manure (T₄) exhibiting the highest nitrogen (2.51%), phosphorous (2.02%) and potassium (2.36%) among all the treatments. Conversely, total organic carbon (TOC) content decreased at 60^th day of vermicomposting due to microbial utilization and release of CO₂. The organic carbon was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T₁ (20.01%) and higher value in T₄ (34.61%). At 20^th day of vermicomposting, electrical conductivity values decreased than 0^th day analysis and again at 60^th day of vermicomposting the electrical conductivity was increased. The significantly higher value was observed in T₄ (4.22dSm^-1) and lowest electrical conductivity was recorded in T₆ (1.51dsm^-1). The C:N ratio is an indicator of organic waste maturity it was higher in fresh manure than in final vermicompost, with T₄ (13.78) showing the lowest ratio due to its high nitrogen content. The final moisture percent of various treatments at 60^th day of vermicomposting was in the range of 21.31 to 27.10 per cent, with T₄ (27.10%) exhibiting significantly (p<0.05) higher moisture per cent.