Influence of microbial diversity and plant growth hormones in compost and vermicompost from fermented tannery waste

•Vermicomposting proved to be a more effective method for fermented tannery waste.•Maximum microbial population, phytohormones were recorded in the vermicompost products.•These study results provided the scope of greater value added product from tannery waste.

This study focuses on the effect of the epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae (with and without addition) to transform solid state fermented (SSF) and submerged (SmF) state fermented TFL mixed with cow dung and leaf litter into value added products in compost and vermicompost bioreactors respectively. The significant role of microbes was identified during compost and vermicompost process. In addition, three important phytohormones (Indole 3-acetic acid, Gibberellic acid, Kinetin) were also detected in the compost and vermicompost products. The results revealed that the maximum amount of plant hormones were available in the vermicompost products which may be due to the joint action of earthworm and microorganisms. The overall results confirmed that the vermicomposting process produced a greater value added product.