Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
682442 Bioresource Technology 2010 7 Pages PDF
Abstract
This study was conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility of Eisenia andrei for vermicomposting heterogeneous-plant (HP), tomato-plant (P), and damaged tomato-fruit (T) greenhouse vegetable wastes. Earthworm growth and reproduction were monitored over a 12-week period, and variations in chemical parameters, enzyme activity, phytotoxicity test, and genetic fingerprinting of bacterial communities were evaluated. While high rates of salinity prevented earthworm survival in HP and P (>10 dS m−1), T was vermicomposted recording an adequate earthworm growth and cocoon production. The latter waste was successfully stabilized, as indicated by the significant decrease in its TOC content (∼13-26%) and C:N ratio (∼16-36%) and its high germination indices (∼39-72%). The similar enzyme activities levels and bacterial community fingerprintings recorded in diverse vermicomposts obtained from T waste indicate that this type of waste favoured the existence of analogous bacterial communities responsible for the high degree of stabilization and maturity detected.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology
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