Comparative analysis of vermicompost quality produced from rice straw and paper waste employing earthworm Eisenia fetida (Sav.)

Present study was undertaken to investigate the vermicomposting of two different organic wastes (rice straw and paper waste) employing, Eisenia fetida. Nine feedstocks were prepared with different ratios of wastes using cow dung as bulking substrate. After pre-composting, worms were allowed to feed on different feedstocks for 105 days under laboratory conditions. The results showed that NPK content was higher in the vermicompost. Heavy metal content was also higher in the vermicomposts. Whereas total organic carbon and C:N ratio were lower after vermicomposting, by 17.38-58.04% and 19-102% respectively. SEM images revealed changes in the morphology of vermicompost. Earthworm growth and reproduction was significant in different feedstocks except one containing 50% rice straw depicting that this ratio is not suitable for the earthworms. Results further demonstrated that proportion of bulking substrate affect the earthworm growth and reproduction.