Review
Agronomy
Ana Vukovic, Mirna Velki, Sandra Ecimovic, Rosemary Vukovic, Ivna Stolfa Camagajevac, Zdenko Loncaric
Summary: Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly Biotechnological process that transforms waste materials into nutrient-rich product. Understanding and optimizing factors affecting vermicompost application, studying bacterial communities, heavy metal content, plant pathogens are crucial to wider utilization of vermicompost products.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irsa Shafique, Saiqa Andleeb, Farrukh Naeem, Shaukat Ali, Tauseef Tabassam, Tariq Sultan, Mohammad Almas Abbasi
Summary: This research evaluated the effects of cow dung and vermicompost on seed sprouting, seedlings, and vegetative growth of pansy. The results showed that vermicompost not only promoted seed germination and plant growth, but also improved soil health.
Review
Agronomy
Randy Carlie Pierre-Louis, Md Abdul Kader, Nandakumar M. Desai, Eleanor H. John
Summary: Vermicompost improves soil quality, crop yield, and disease resistance. Despite its potential benefits, lack of awareness hinders its adoption in South Pacific island countries.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaolan Yu, Xiaoliang Li, Changqi Ren, Jinchuang Wang, Chaobi Wang, Yukun Zou, Xiongfei Wang, Guangyi Li, Qinfen Li
Summary: This study investigated the effects of vermicomposting on the degradation process of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with high lignin content and the quality of composting products. The results showed that vermicomposting increased microbial activity and improved product quality. Additionally, co-composting with cow dung further promoted the maturity of SMS.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xia Hui, Huang Kui
Summary: The study showed that the presence of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles did not significantly affect the growth rate of earthworms and their superoxide dismutase activity during vermicomposting. However, higher concentrations of the nanoparticles promoted the humification of sludge and enhanced bacterial diversity. Furthermore, the study found that the presence of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticle residuals modified the microbial community of sludge, hence promoting sludge humification during vermicomposting.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tereza Hammerschmiedt, Antonin Kintl, Jiri Holatko, Adnan Mustafa, Tomas Vitez, Ondrej Malicek, Tivadar Baltazar, Jakub Elbl, Martin Brtnicky
Summary: Digestate prepared from anaerobic digestion can be used as a fertilizer to enrich soil and plants with nutrients. This study found that digestates containing legume biomass can stimulate microbial activity in soil, but caution is needed to prevent increased nitrogen losses if plants cannot quickly take up mineralized nitrogen.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Vincent Ducasse, Yvan Capowiez, Josephine Peigne
Summary: Continued population growth and urbanization have resulted in increased waste production in cities. Recycling the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) using vermicomposting techniques could be a solution to increase agricultural production while reducing environmental impact. This review found that vermicomposting is suitable for recycling all types of OFMSW and produces nutrient-rich vermicompost. Compared to compost, vermicompost has a better effect on plant growth and improves carbon storage, water retention, enzymatic and microbiological activity, and soil fauna abundance and diversity when applied in the field. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the use of vermicompost from OFMSW.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Yuwen Zhou, Ran Xiao, Thomas Klammsteiner, Xiaoliang Kong, Binghua Yan, Florin-Constantin Mihai, Tao Liu, Zengqiang Zhang, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
Summary: Composting technologies have evolved from static heaps and windrow composting to smart, AI-assisted reactor composting. Recent efforts have focused on identifying novel process-enhancing supplements and integrating mathematical modelling and reactor designs with composting practices. Further refinement of the composting process is needed to reduce environmental impact and align with circular economy goals.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dan Lu, Tingting Qian, Chencheng Le, Chaozhi Pan, Shenbin Cao, Wun Jern Ng, Yan Zhou
Summary: This study identified high value chemical compounds in the liquid fraction of thermal hydrolyzed sludge (TH sludge) that can promote plant growth, indicating the feasibility of using TH liquor as organic fertilizer. The phytohormone compound indole-3-acetic acid was observed for the first time in TH liquor, which had a stimulating effect on plant growth without impacting soil microbes negatively. The holistic approach of using TH liquor as organic fertilizer and producing biochar could lead to nearly zero-waste discharge in sludge management.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dan Lu, Tingting Qian, Chencheng Le, Chaozhi Pan, Shenbin Cao, Wun Jern Ng, Yan Zhou
Summary: The study suggests that thermal hydrolyzed sludge can be used as organic fertilizer, as high value chemical compounds promoting plant growth were identified in the liquid fraction. Along with released/synthesized nutrients during thermal hydrolysis, the feasibility of using the liquid fraction as fertilizer was evaluated. The results indicate great potential for utilizing the liquid fraction as organic fertilizer due to its high concentrations of nutrients and plant growth-promoting compounds.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Lirikum, L. N. Kakati, Lilongchem Thyug, Lobeno Mozhui
Summary: Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly method that utilizes the collaboration between microbes and earthworms to decompose organic materials into environmentally friendly products. Vermicast has been found to have superior quality compared to traditional compost, in terms of macronutrients and other physicochemical properties. This review focuses on the significance of vermicomposting, recent developments in vermiculture technology, the properties of vermicast, and their potential application in enhancing plant growth.
Article
Agronomy
Sandra Ecimovic, Mirna Velki, Alma Mikuska, Jelena Bazon, Lucija Sara Kovacic, Suzana Kristek, Jurica Jovic, Franjo Nemet, Katarina Peric, Zdenko Loncaric
Summary: The constant increase in agricultural production intensity raises concerns about the negative effects on the environment. Research has found that utilizing organic waste in the production of organic fertilizers and substrates can reduce waste and promote soil fertility and sustainable resource use. Additionally, the use of earthworms in the stabilization of organic matter has shown positive effects.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ahmad Mirjalili, Mohammad Hossein Lebaschi, Mohammad Reza Ardakani, Hossein Heidari Sharifabad, Mehdi Mirza
Summary: The use of soil amendments and cultivated techniques is effective in improving plant yield. The study found that applying cattle manure and using high plant density can increase the weight, nutrient concentration, and essential oil yield of Bakhtiari savory plants. The composition of the essential oil and stomatal properties were also influenced by the manure and plant density.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sami Ur Rehman, Zubair Aslam, Bandar S. Aljuaid, Rana Nadeem Abbas, Saqib Bashir, Munawar Hussain Almas, Tahir Hussain Awan, Korkmaz Belliturk, Wafa'a A. Al-Taisan, Samy F. Mahmoud, Safdar Bashir
Summary: This study investigated the utilization of vermi-technology to produce vermicompost from C. erectus leaves combined with soil and farmyard manure. The results showed that the vermicompost had a significant impact on soil properties and the growth of mung beans. The vermicompost effectively reduced soil pH, increased nutrient content, and promoted plant growth. It has the potential to transform C. erectus biomass into a potent organic fertilizer.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Celestino Quintela-Sabaris, Luis A. Mendes, Jorge Dominguez
Summary: In this study, vermicomposting of Acacia dealbata biomass was conducted, revealing that earthworm activity significantly altered the properties of the processed material, resulting in vermicompost rich in organic matter that was not phytotoxic. This presents an opportunity to create a new value chain for controlling the invasive tree species Acacia dealbata.