Changes in enzyme activities during vermicomposting and normal composting of vegetable market waste

The present investigation was carried out at changes in enzyme activities during composting which offers a promising solution for assessment of quality of compost. The results revealed that, in both the composting methods the enzyme activity decreased with increasing the composting period. However per cent decrease from initial to a particular period of time was more in vermicomposting than conventional composting and maximum activity was recorded in vermicomposting than conventional composting. The dehydrogenase activity was 19 and 44 mg TPF produced g¹hr⁻¹ at 30 and 60 days of vermicomposting, where as in conventional composting at 30 and 110 days it was 36 to 29 mg TPF produced g¹hr⁻¹. The add and alkaline phosphatase activity (μg PNP released g¹hr⁻¹) did not significantly changes with incubation in both the composting methods. However more phosphatase activity was recorded in vermicomposting than conventional composting and it was 48 and 26% increase of add and alkaline phosphatase activity in vermicomposting than conventional composting. The present study revealed that the vermicomposting of vegetable market waste recorded higher enzyme activities than conventional method of composting and low enzyme activity at maturity compared to initial stages of composting.