Role of Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) on Organic Waste Management and Pollution Control in Indian Thar Desert

Authors

  • K. R. Panwar  Department of Zoology, Government College, Jodhpur, India

Keywords:

Eisenia fetida, Thar Desert, Organic Waste Management, Pollution Control, Vermicompost

Abstract

Earthworm, a non-chordate wormlike animal, belonging to phylum Annelida, inhabits in moist and organic rich soil. From the period of its origin, it has been working silently for health of the earth beneath our feet. India is an agriculture dominant country therefore, a huge quantity of agricultural wastes and animal manure dumped every year and it pollutes the environment considerably. In present study, an earthworm species Eisenia fetida was used to convert different organic wastes into valuable bio-fertilizers. Agricultural waste and cattle manure were used as vermibed of E. fetida for preparing vermicompost. The earthworms convert the organic waste into a valuable asset. The present observations showed that pH, electrical conductivity, water holding capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen ratio, available phosphorus and potassium of vermicompost is enhanced significantly as compared to organic waste applied for the vermibed. The vermicompost is used in organic farming. Since, the adverse effects of chemical fertilizer have been proved on soil as well as human health, an alternate should be required. Therefore, vermicompost is a most suitable bio-fertilizer for agriculture, forestry, horticulture and other similar sectors and also minimize pollution from the organic wastes.

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Published

2017-12-31

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Research Articles

How to Cite

[1]
K. R. Panwar, " Role of Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) on Organic Waste Management and Pollution Control in Indian Thar Desert, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 3, Issue 8, pp.1058-1062, November-December-2017.