Vermicomposting: An Effective Option for Recycling Solid Wastes into Organic Fertilizers
Anusree Paul*
Dept. of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal (741 252), India
Koushik Mondal
Dept. of Agronomy, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal (731 236), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Earthworms, Organic wastes, Sustainable organic farming, Vermicompost
Abstract
Effective management of solid waste, generated as a result of rapid urbanization and industrialization, has now become one of the major problems. Overproduction, improper disposal methods including imbalanced and untimely application of solid wastes in agricultural fields ultimately leads to environmental pollution. But these organic wastes can be utilized for vermicomposting, an effective recycling technique, which can produce a disinfected, detoxified, highly nutritive, superior quality end product by proper handling. Here, cooperative action of earthworms and microorganisms takes place to transform biodegradable wastes into valuable organic fertilizer called vermicompost which is a rich source of humus, macro and micronutrients; beneficial soil microbes including nitrogen-fixing, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, actinomycets; growth hormones including auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins. Therefore, vermicomposting not only results in effective solid waste management but also provides excellent nutrient rich vermicompost, a suitable supplement to chemical fertilizers that is beneficial to promote sustainable organic farming and maintaining ecological balance.
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Reference
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