Production of In situ vermicompost as affected by earthworms inoculation, season and farm wastes

An experiment was conducted during the year 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the both summer and winter seasons to study the production of vermicompost as influenced by local earthworm inoculation, season and various farm wastes. The results revealed that the summer season was more favourable than winter season for vermicomposting. The population build up, per cent decomposition, quantity of vermicompost produced were significantly higher by 70.1 numbers, 15.68%, and 11.06 g, respectively and time taken for vermicomposting was lessen by 26 days in summer than winter. Inoculation of 10 numbers adult local earthworms (Perionyx excavatus) in presence of fresh cow dung (1.0 kg) and banana pseudo stem (1.0 kg) recorded maximum significant population build up by 20.76% (16.31 numbers), per cent decomposition by 11.3%, quantity of vermicompost produced by 17.89 g (2.83%), time taken for decomposition lowered by 11 days and highest nutrient composition and microbial population of vermicompost than all other treatments. The correlation studies indicated that increase in total population significantly increased per cent decomposition rate (r = 0.95), reduced the time taken for vermicomposting (r = -0.85) and increased vermicompost production (r = 0.40).