Comparative study of physico-chemical parameters of different vermicomposted substrates produced by two different earthworm species

A comparative study on the physico-chemical parameters of two vermicomposted substrates produced by two different earthworm species was carried out to determine the efficacy of the two earthworm species. Vermicomposting of two substrates viz., sawdust and leaf litter by two species of earthworms namely Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus was carried out. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed in samples collected from the raw (initial) and vermicomposted substrates across different periods. The physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium increased in the vermicomposted substrates while the organic carbon and C/N ratio decreased as the composting process progressed from 0 to 15^th, 30^th and 45^th day. The nutrient status of vermicomposted substrates was higher when compared to their respective raw substrates. Further, the vermicompost produced by E. eugeniae possessed higher nutrient content than that produced by P. excavatus