Abstract

FROM WASTE TO WONDER: TEMPLE WASTE TRANSFORMED INTO VERMICOMPOST

Malathi Anbazhagan, M. Meenambal and Gani Sharmila Banu*

ABSTRACT

The present research focuses on the vermicomposting process, specifically exploring the use of earthworms Eudrilus euginae for the degradation of various types of temple wastes. Vermicomposting is an effective and environmentally friendly method for waste management, utilizing earthworms to decompose organic waste. Temple wastes were collected from Anjaneya temple in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, consisting of flowers, banana leaves, dry banana trunk, and cow dung. Different ratios of waste to cow dung (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) were mixed for the vermicomposting process. Earthworms of the species Eudrilus euginae were introduced, and the process was allowed to proceed for 65 days. Physicochemical parameters, including nutrient content (N, P, K), pH levels, and carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, were regularly analyzed. Analysis of the physicochemical parameters revealed interesting findings. The nutrient content parameters, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), showed an increase over the 65-day period, indicating effective conversion of temple wastes into nutrient-rich compost. pH levels decreased during the process, indicating a shift towards acidity. The C:N ratio decreased, suggesting higher decomposition and stability in the compost. The 2:1 ratio experiment resulted in the highest quality compost among the different ratios tested. The present research highlights the effectiveness of vermicomposting using Eudrilus euginae earthworms for the degradation of temple wastes. The process resulted in an increase in nutrient content, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. pH levels decreased, indicating acidity, and the C:N ratio decreased, indicating higher decomposition and stability in the compost. The 2:1 ratio of temple wastes to cow dung produced the highest quality compost. This research contributes to our understanding of vermicomposting as an effective waste management technique and provides insights into optimizing the process for specific waste types.

Keywords: vermicomposting, earthworms, temple wastes, nutrient content, compost.