Comparative Study of Plant Nutrient Contents in Vermicomposts Produced by the African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) and Indian Blue (Perionyx excavatus)

Abstract

A comparative study of plant nutrient contents in the vermicomposts produced by the two earthworm species, the African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) and Indian blue (Perionyx excavatus) were carried out using cow dung as bedding and fed with organic waste. It was found that plant nutrient content (carbon/nitrogen ratio, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sodium chloride) in each vermicompost were different. Carbon/ nitrogen ratio obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 16:1 and 15:1, respectively. Organic matter obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 35.1% and 38.1%, respectively. Organic carbon obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 20.4% and 22.1%, respectively. Nitrogen obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Phosphorus obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 1.0% and 1.1%, respectively. Potassium obtained from the vermicompost by African nightcrawler and Indian blue were 0.9% and 1.2%, respectively. But not obtained sodium chloride from both vermicomposts. The analytic results showed that plant nutrient contents in the vermicompost by Indian blue were higher than African nightcrawler and all analytic values of vermicomposts by both earthworm species were according to the organic fertilizer standards of the department of agriculture.