Potential of domestic biogas digester slurry in vermitechnology

This work illustrates the potential of domestic biogas digester slurry in vermicompost production. To achieve the objectives biogas plant slurry (BGS) was mixed with crop residues (CR) in different ratios to produce seven different feed mixtures for earthworm Eisenia fetida. After 15 weeks vermicomposted material was analyzed for different chemical parameters. In all waste mixtures, a decrease in pH, organic C and C:N ratio, but increase total N, available P and exchangeable K was recorded. C:N ratio of end material (vermicompost) was within the agronomic acceptable limit (<20). The reproduction biology of E. fetida in different waste mixture was also monitored and they showed excellent biomass gain as well as cocoon production in all waste mixtures. The results clearly suggested that vermitechnology could be a potential technology to convert byproducts of domestic biogas plant slurry into some value-added products. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.