Efficiency of Perionyx excavatus in vermicomposting of thatch grass (Imperata cylindrica) in comparison to Eisenia foetida in Assam

Vermicomposting of thatch grass (Imperata cylindrica) using Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia foetida was found to be equally efficient in composting and enhancing the manurial value of composts under agro-climatic conditions of Assam. Increase in earthworm population in compost bed decreased the period of vermicomposting and also increased the total nitrogen (from 1 to 1.14%), phosphorus (0.5 to 1%), potassium (1.8 to 2.4%), sodium (1.7 to 2.2%) and calcium (0.4 to 0.6%), respectively. Perionyx excavatus possessed certain advantages over Eisenia foetida like easily adaptable to climate and substrate, less chance of mortality or failure and is easily available to farmers without any financial investment.