Dynamics of nutrients and microflora during vermicomposting of mango leaf litter (Mangifera indica) using Perionyx ceylanensis.
Mani Prakash, Natchimuthu Karmegam
Author Affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kanchi Shri Krishna College of Arts and Science, Kilambi, Kanchipuram 631 551, Tamil Nadu, India.
International Journal of Global Environmental Issues 10 : 339-353
Abstract : Pre-decomposed (15 days) mango leaf litter with cowdung in 50:50 (wt/wt) was subjected to vermicomposting using Perionyx ceylanensis for 60 days. The electrical conductivity, total NPK, Ca, Na and other nutrients were higher in the vermicompost than in the worm unworked control substrate, whereas organic carbon and C/N ratio were lowered. The population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes at the start of the experiment (initial) increased progressively towards the end of vermicomposting. The final microbial population was higher and significantly different (p0.05) from the initial values. The incubation period of vermicompost showed significant positive correlation with microbial population (r=0.99; p0.001).