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Effects of Vermireactor Modifications on the Welfare of Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Properties of Vermicomposts

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  • Grzegorz Pączka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Anna Mazur-Pączka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Mariola Garczyńska

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Joanna Kostecka

    (Department of the Basis of Agriculture and Waste Management, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Kevin R. Butt

    (School of Natural Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR 1 2HE, UK)

Abstract

Vermicomposting is a method that allows for the environmentally friendly management of plant organic waste through the activity of concentrated earthworm populations. As a result of an appropriately conducted process, it is possible to obtain a valuable organic fertilizer, abundant in nutrients for plants as well as the development of a favorable (qualitatively and quantitatively) earthworm population structure. This paper presents the results of the vermicomposting process of waste plant mass with the use of vermireactors with different designs. In conventional no protective substrate (NPS) vermireactors, plant waste was the only habitat for earthworms, whilst protective substrate (PS) vermireactors also had a medium to shield the earthworm population in the event of the accidental introduction of toxic waste to these invertebrates. A positive effect of the PS vermireactor construction in the protection of an earthworm population against the potential use of stressful waste was found, as populations of Eisenia fetida were monitored and the development was noted during the vermicomposting with both methods. The largest differences between the populations (PS vs. NPS vermireactors) were demonstrated after 40 and 50 days and related to the number of immature animals (PS > NPS by 30.7%; p < 0.05) and cocoons (PS > NPS by 34.8%; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the PS and NPS in the biomass of immature E. fetida and cocoons. The vermicomposts obtained were not significantly different form each other but they were characterized by a higher content of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg compared to the initial waste biomass. Contents of Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb in vermicomposts did not prevent their use as fertilizers.

Suggested Citation

  • Grzegorz Pączka & Anna Mazur-Pączka & Mariola Garczyńska & Joanna Kostecka & Kevin R. Butt, 2020. "Effects of Vermireactor Modifications on the Welfare of Earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Properties of Vermicomposts," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:10:p:481-:d:430425
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mani Prakash & Natchimuthu Karmegam, 2010. "Dynamics of nutrients and microflora during vermicomposting of mango leaf litter (Mangifera indica) using Perionyx ceylanensis," International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 10(3/4), pages 339-353.
    2. Surendra Suthar, 2008. "Bioremediation of aerobically treated distillery sludge mixed with cow dung by using an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 76-84, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Grzegorz Pączka & Anna Mazur-Pączka & Mariola Garczyńska & Edmund Hajduk & Joanna Kostecka & Izabela Bartkowska & Kevin R. Butt, 2021. "Use of Vermicompost from Sugar Beet Pulp in Cultivation of Peas ( Pisum sativum L.)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Mariola Garczyńska & Joanna Kostecka & Grzegorz Pączka & Anna Mazur-Pączka & Tomasz Cebulak & Kevin R. Butt, 2023. "Chemical Composition of Earthworm ( Dendrobaena veneta Rosa) Biomass Is Suitable as an Alternative Protein Source," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.

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