Micro-nutrient Enriched Vermicompost by Coconut Coir Waste

The investigation entitled “Vermicomposting of coconut coir waste by utilizing epigeic earthworm species” was conducted at Centre of Excellence on Mango, Department of Horticulture, Dr.Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, during the Rabi season of 2015-16. Coir waste as a main substrate and cow dung are used as a waste material in different combinations such as M1-Coir waste (100 %), M2-Coir waste :cow dung- (80:20 %), M3- Coir waste :cow dung (60:40%), M4- Coir waste :cow dung (40:60), M5- Coir waste :cow dung (20:80%), M6- Cow dung (100%) for preparation of vermicompost along with two species of earthworm’s viz. Eudrilus euginae and Eisenia foetida. Based on the findings of present investigation, it could concluded that amongst the various combinations of organic residues evaluated, 100 per cent cow dung was found highest per cent recovery of vermicompost followed by 20:80 combination of coir waste and cow dung. The results of the experiment showed that on composting the pH of all organic residues decreased slightly during composting. There was gradual increase in electrical conductivity of composting materials from 30 DAI to the 180 DAI of composting. As far as the manurial value is concerned, 20:80 combination of coir waste and cow dung found to be the best combination from the point of Micro nutrient contents. Between the two species of earthworms, Eudrilus euginae species of earthworm found superior over Eisenia foetida species of earthworm in respect of most of the parameters studied. The manurial value of all the compost products improved due to vermicomposting.