The Experts below are selected from a list of 18594 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
V.k. Garg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
comparative analysis of Vermicompost quality produced from rice straw and paper waste employing earthworm eisenia fetida sav
Bioresource Technology, 2018Co-Authors: Kavita Sharma, V.k. GargAbstract:Abstract Present study was undertaken to investigate the Vermicomposting of two different organic wastes (rice straw and paper waste) employing, Eisenia fetida. Nine feedstocks were prepared with different ratios of wastes using cow dung as bulking substrate. After pre-composting, worms were allowed to feed on different feedstocks for 105 days under laboratory conditions. The results showed that NPK content was higher in the Vermicompost. Heavy metal content was also higher in the Vermicomposts. Whereas total organic carbon and C:N ratio were lower after Vermicomposting, by 17.38–58.04% and 19–102% respectively. SEM images revealed changes in the morphology of Vermicompost. Earthworm growth and reproduction was significant in different feedstocks except one containing 50% rice straw depicting that this ratio is not suitable for the earthworms. Results further demonstrated that proportion of bulking substrate affect the earthworm growth and reproduction.
-
organic manure production from cow dung and biogas plant slurry by Vermicomposting under field conditions
International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2013Co-Authors: Anoop Yadav, Renuka Gupta, V.k. GargAbstract:Vermicomposting is a biological process which may be a future technology for the management of animal excreta. This study was undertaken to produce Vermicompost from cow dung and biogas plant slurry under field conditions. To achieve the objectives, two Vermicomposting units containing cow dung (CD) and biogas plant slurry (BPS) were established, inoculated with Eisenia fetida species of earthworm and allowed to be Vermicomposted for 3 months. After 3 months, the Vermicompost was harvested and characterized. The results showed that the Vermicompost had lower pH, total organic carbon (TOC), organic matter (OM) and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) but higher electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) content than the raw substrate. The heavy metal content in Vermicomposts was higher than raw substrates. During Vermicomposting, the CD and BPS were converted into a homogeneous, odourless and stabilized humus-like material. This experiment demonstrates that Vermicomposting is an environmentally sustainable method for the management of animal excreta.
-
Growth and yield response of marigold to potting media containing Vermicompost produced from different wastes
The Environmentalist, 2010Co-Authors: Pritam Sangwan, V.k. Garg, C. P. KaushikAbstract:Investigations were made to assay the influence of Vermicomposts, prepared from (i) cow dung (CD) and (ii) sugar mill wastewater treatment plant sludge spiked with horse dung, on the growth and productivity of marigold plants in pot culture experiments. The soil was used as potting media, and Vermicomposts were amended with it in 10, 20, 30 and 40% ratio. A total of nine different potting media were prepared. The fertility status of soil and Vermicomposts was quantified. There were significant differences in the fertilizer quality of soil and both the Vermicomposts. Maximum numbers of flowers was produced in the potting media containing 30% of CD Vermicompost and minimum was reported in control (soil without amendments). The diameter of biggest flower was reported in the potting media containing 40% of sugar mill wastewater treatment plant sludge Vermicompost. Results showed that the addition of Vermicompost, in appropriate quantities, to potting media has synergistic effects on growth and flowering of plants including number of buds, number of flowers, plant shoot biomass, root biomass, plant height and diameter of flowers.
-
feasibility of nutrient recovery from industrial sludge by Vermicomposting technology
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009Co-Authors: Anoop Yadav, V.k. GargAbstract:Abstract Transformation of industrial sludges into Vermicompost is of double interest: on the one hand, a waste is converted into value added product, and, on the other, it controls a pollutant that is a consequence of increasing industrialization. This paper reports the feasibility of utilization of Vermicomposting technology for nutrient recovery from industrial sludge in laboratory scale experiment employing Eisenia fetida earthworm. A total of nine vermireactors, having different percentage of wastewater treatment plant sludge of a food industry and cow dung, were established and monitored for fertilizer quality of Vermicompost and growth and fecundity of the earthworms for 3 months. The earthworms were unable to survive in 100% FIS. There was a decrease in pH, organic carbon content, organic matter, C:N ratio, and increase in ash content, EC, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in all the vermireactors. Total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) content increased in the range of 12.2–28.7 g kg −1 in different vermireactors after Vermicomposting. C:N ratio was 1.59–5.24 folds lesser in final Vermicomposts than initial raw substrate. The heavy metals’ content in final Vermicomposts was higher than initial feed mixtures. Maximum worm biomass was observed in control, i.e., 100% CD (836 mg earthworm −1 ) and the lowest in 30% CD + 70% FIS feed mixture (280 mg earthworm −1 ). Cocoon production was started during 6–7th week in all feed mixture except in feed mixture no. 9. After 12 weeks maximum cocoons (57) were counted in 100% CD and minimum (2) in 30% CD + 70% FIS feed. The results indicated that food industry sludge could be converted into good quality manure by Vermicomposting if mixed up to 30% with cow dung.
-
vermiremediation and nutrient recovery of non recyclable paper waste employing eisenia fetida
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009Co-Authors: Renuka Gupta, V.k. GargAbstract:With the industrial growth, changing life style and consumeristic attitude paper consumption has increased significantly in yesteryears. The authors have observed that waste paper obtained from consumable items and used paper products are disposed in open by the consumers as these are not accepted by the salvaging industry. In the present study, an attempt has been made to Vermicompost non-recyclable post-consumer paper waste (PW) amended with cow dung (CD) employing Eisenia fetida earthworm in order to transform it into a value added product, i.e., Vermicompost. Vermicomposting of paper waste resulted in net reduction in ash content and total organic carbon (42.5-56.8%) but increment in total Kjeldhal nitrogen (2.0-2.4-fold), total potassium (2.0-fold), and total phosphorous (1.4-1.8-fold) was achieved after 91 days of worms' activity. The C:N ratio decreased with time in all the worm-worked vermireactors in the range of 71.9-82.0%, depicting advanced degree of organic matter stabilization. The FT-IR spectroscopy of the Vermicomposts showed reduction in aliphatic compounds during the Vermicomposting process. The results also demonstrated the worm growth and reproduction are not significantly affected if PW content is upto 30% in the vermireactor.
Norman Q Arancon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
influences of Vermicomposts on field strawberries part 2 effects on soil microbiological and chemical properties
Bioresource Technology, 2006Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, P BiermanAbstract:Abstract The effects of applications of food waste and paper waste Vermicomposts on some soil chemical and biological properties were evaluated in field plots planted with strawberries. Six-week old strawberries ( Fragaria ananasa , var. Chandler) were transplanted into 4.5 m 2 raised beds under a plastic tunnel structure measuring 9.14 × 14.6 × 3.6 m. Vermicompost were applied at rates of 5 or 10 t ha −1 supplemented with inorganic fertilizers to balance fertilizer recommendations for strawberries of 85–155–125 kg NPK ha −1 . Effects of Vermicomposts on strawberry growth and yields have been reported previously [Arancon, N.Q., Edwards C.A., Bierman P., Welch, C., Metzger, J.D., 2004. The influence of Vermicompost applications to strawberries: Part 1. Effects on growth and yield. Bioresource Technology 93:145–153]. Total extractable N, NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates did not differ significantly between treatments, except on the last sampling date (harvest date) in which significantly greater amounts of NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates ( P ⩽ 0.05) were recorded in Vermicompost-treated soils than in the controls. Two major results of Vermicompost applications to soils were increases in dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-N which were not dose-dependent. Increased dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-N was correlated positively with the increased amounts of NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates in the Vermicompost-treated plots than in the controls. Increases in microbial populations and activities are key factors influencing rates of nutrient cycling, production of plant growth-regulating materials, and the build-up of plant resistance or tolerance to crop pathogen and nematode attacks.
-
suppression of insect pest populations and damage to plants by Vermicomposts
Bioresource Technology, 2005Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Paola Galvis, Clive A EdwardsAbstract:The effects of commercial Vermicomposts, produced from food waste, on infestations and damage by aphids, mealy bugs and cabbage white caterpillars were studied in the greenhouse. Vermicomposts were used at substitution rates into a soil-less plant growth medium, MetroMix 360 (MM360), at rates of 100% MM360 and 0% Vermicompost, 80% MM360 and 20% Vermicompost, and 60% MM360 and 40% Vermicompost to grow peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and cabbages (Brassica oleracea L.), in pots. Groups of 10 pots containing young plants were distributed randomly in nylon mesh cages (40 cm · 40 cm · 40 cm). Groups of 10 pepper seedlings in a single cage were infested with either 100 aphids (Myzus persicae Sulz.) or 50 mealy bugs (Pseudococcus spp.) per cage. Similar groups of tomato seedlings were infested with 50 mealy bugs per cage. Groups of four cabbage seedlings in pots in cages were infested with 16 cabbage white caterpillars (Pieris brassicae L.). Populations of aphids and mealy bugs were counted after 20 days and the shoot dry weights of peppers, tomatoes and cabbages were measured at harvest. Numbers of cabbage white caterpillars and loss in shoot weights were measured after 15 days. The substitution rates of 20% and 40% Vermicomposts suppressed populations of both aphids and mealy bugs on peppers, and mealy bugs on tomatoes, significantly. Substitutions with Vermicomposts into MM360 decreased losses of dry weights of peppers, in response to both aphid and mealy bug infestations, decreased losses in shoot dry weights of tomatoes after mealy bug infestations significantly. There were significantly decreased losses in leaf areas of cabbage seedlings in response to the cabbage white caterpillar infestations. � 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
-
influences of Vermicomposts on field strawberries 1 effects on growth and yields
Bioresource Technology, 2004Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, Peter M Bierman, Christie Welch, James D MetzgerAbstract:Vermicomposts processed commercially from food wastes and paper wastes were applied, to 4.5 m 2 field plots, under high plastic hoop tunnels, at rates of 5 or 10 t ha � 1 to evaluate their effects on the growth and yields of strawberries (Fragaria ananasa) var. Chandler’. The Vermicomposts were incorporated into the top 10 cm of soil and supplemented, based on chemical analyses, with amounts of inorganic NPK fertilizers calculated to equalize the initial fertilizer rates of 85–155–125 kg ha � 1 NPK applied to the inorganic fertilizer plots. All treatments were replicated four times, in a completely randomized design, at two field sites on Doles silt loam or Hoytville silty clay loam at Piketon and Fremont, Ohio, respectively. Vermicompost applications increased strawberry growth and yields significantly; including increases of up to 37% in leaf areas, 37% in plant shoot biomass, 40% in numbers of flowers, 36% in numbers of plant runners and 35% in marketable fruit weights. These responses seemed not to be dose-dependent, since strawberries at one site grew fastest and yielded most in response to the 10 t ha � 1 Vermicompost application rate, whereas they responded positively and similarly to both the 5 and 10 t ha � 1 rates of applications at the other site. These responses could not have been mediated by availability of macronutrients, since all plots were supplemented with inorganic fertilizers, to equalize macronutrient inputs for all treatments, but based on other research in our laboratory could have been due to production of plant growth regulators by microorganisms during Vermicomposting. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
-
effects of Vermicomposts on growth and marketable fruits of field grown tomatoes peppers and strawberries
Pedobiologia, 2003Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, Peter M Bierman, James D Metzger, Christie WelchAbstract:Summary Vermicomposts, produced commercially from cattle manure, market food waste and recycled paper waste, were applied to small replicated field plots planted with tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and bell peppers (Capsicum anuum grossum) at rates of 10 t ha-1 or 20 t ha-1 in 1999 and at rates of 5 t ha-1 or 10 t ha-1 in 2000. Food waste and recycled paper Vermicomposts were applied at the rates of 5 t ha-1 or 10 t ha-1 in 2000 to replicated plots planted with strawberries (Fragaria spp.). Inorganic control plots were treated with recommended rates of fertilizers only and all of the Vermicompost-treated plots were supplemented with amounts of inorganic fertilizers to equalize the initial N levels available to plants in all plots at transplanting. The marketable tomato yields in all Vermicompost-treated plots were consistently greater than yields from the inorganic fertilizer-treated plots. There were significant increases in shoot weights, leaf areas and total and marketable fruit yields of pepper plants from plots treated with Vermicomposts compared to those from plots treated with inorganic fertilizer only. Leaf areas, numbers of strawberry suckers, numbers of flowers, shoot weights, and total marketable strawberry yields increased significantly in plots treated with Vermicompost compared to those that received inorganic fertilizers only. The improvements in plant growth and increases in fruit yields could be due partially to large increases in soil microbial biomass after Vermicompost applications, leading to production of hormones or humates in the Vermicomposts acting as plant-growth regulators independent of nutrient supply.
Clive A Edwards - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
influences of Vermicomposts on field strawberries part 2 effects on soil microbiological and chemical properties
Bioresource Technology, 2006Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, P BiermanAbstract:Abstract The effects of applications of food waste and paper waste Vermicomposts on some soil chemical and biological properties were evaluated in field plots planted with strawberries. Six-week old strawberries ( Fragaria ananasa , var. Chandler) were transplanted into 4.5 m 2 raised beds under a plastic tunnel structure measuring 9.14 × 14.6 × 3.6 m. Vermicompost were applied at rates of 5 or 10 t ha −1 supplemented with inorganic fertilizers to balance fertilizer recommendations for strawberries of 85–155–125 kg NPK ha −1 . Effects of Vermicomposts on strawberry growth and yields have been reported previously [Arancon, N.Q., Edwards C.A., Bierman P., Welch, C., Metzger, J.D., 2004. The influence of Vermicompost applications to strawberries: Part 1. Effects on growth and yield. Bioresource Technology 93:145–153]. Total extractable N, NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates did not differ significantly between treatments, except on the last sampling date (harvest date) in which significantly greater amounts of NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates ( P ⩽ 0.05) were recorded in Vermicompost-treated soils than in the controls. Two major results of Vermicompost applications to soils were increases in dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-N which were not dose-dependent. Increased dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-N was correlated positively with the increased amounts of NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N and orthophosphates in the Vermicompost-treated plots than in the controls. Increases in microbial populations and activities are key factors influencing rates of nutrient cycling, production of plant growth-regulating materials, and the build-up of plant resistance or tolerance to crop pathogen and nematode attacks.
-
suppression of insect pest populations and damage to plants by Vermicomposts
Bioresource Technology, 2005Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Paola Galvis, Clive A EdwardsAbstract:The effects of commercial Vermicomposts, produced from food waste, on infestations and damage by aphids, mealy bugs and cabbage white caterpillars were studied in the greenhouse. Vermicomposts were used at substitution rates into a soil-less plant growth medium, MetroMix 360 (MM360), at rates of 100% MM360 and 0% Vermicompost, 80% MM360 and 20% Vermicompost, and 60% MM360 and 40% Vermicompost to grow peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and cabbages (Brassica oleracea L.), in pots. Groups of 10 pots containing young plants were distributed randomly in nylon mesh cages (40 cm · 40 cm · 40 cm). Groups of 10 pepper seedlings in a single cage were infested with either 100 aphids (Myzus persicae Sulz.) or 50 mealy bugs (Pseudococcus spp.) per cage. Similar groups of tomato seedlings were infested with 50 mealy bugs per cage. Groups of four cabbage seedlings in pots in cages were infested with 16 cabbage white caterpillars (Pieris brassicae L.). Populations of aphids and mealy bugs were counted after 20 days and the shoot dry weights of peppers, tomatoes and cabbages were measured at harvest. Numbers of cabbage white caterpillars and loss in shoot weights were measured after 15 days. The substitution rates of 20% and 40% Vermicomposts suppressed populations of both aphids and mealy bugs on peppers, and mealy bugs on tomatoes, significantly. Substitutions with Vermicomposts into MM360 decreased losses of dry weights of peppers, in response to both aphid and mealy bug infestations, decreased losses in shoot dry weights of tomatoes after mealy bug infestations significantly. There were significantly decreased losses in leaf areas of cabbage seedlings in response to the cabbage white caterpillar infestations. � 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
-
influences of Vermicomposts on field strawberries 1 effects on growth and yields
Bioresource Technology, 2004Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, Peter M Bierman, Christie Welch, James D MetzgerAbstract:Vermicomposts processed commercially from food wastes and paper wastes were applied, to 4.5 m 2 field plots, under high plastic hoop tunnels, at rates of 5 or 10 t ha � 1 to evaluate their effects on the growth and yields of strawberries (Fragaria ananasa) var. Chandler’. The Vermicomposts were incorporated into the top 10 cm of soil and supplemented, based on chemical analyses, with amounts of inorganic NPK fertilizers calculated to equalize the initial fertilizer rates of 85–155–125 kg ha � 1 NPK applied to the inorganic fertilizer plots. All treatments were replicated four times, in a completely randomized design, at two field sites on Doles silt loam or Hoytville silty clay loam at Piketon and Fremont, Ohio, respectively. Vermicompost applications increased strawberry growth and yields significantly; including increases of up to 37% in leaf areas, 37% in plant shoot biomass, 40% in numbers of flowers, 36% in numbers of plant runners and 35% in marketable fruit weights. These responses seemed not to be dose-dependent, since strawberries at one site grew fastest and yielded most in response to the 10 t ha � 1 Vermicompost application rate, whereas they responded positively and similarly to both the 5 and 10 t ha � 1 rates of applications at the other site. These responses could not have been mediated by availability of macronutrients, since all plots were supplemented with inorganic fertilizers, to equalize macronutrient inputs for all treatments, but based on other research in our laboratory could have been due to production of plant growth regulators by microorganisms during Vermicomposting. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
-
effects of Vermicomposts on growth and marketable fruits of field grown tomatoes peppers and strawberries
Pedobiologia, 2003Co-Authors: Norman Q Arancon, Clive A Edwards, Peter M Bierman, James D Metzger, Christie WelchAbstract:Summary Vermicomposts, produced commercially from cattle manure, market food waste and recycled paper waste, were applied to small replicated field plots planted with tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and bell peppers (Capsicum anuum grossum) at rates of 10 t ha-1 or 20 t ha-1 in 1999 and at rates of 5 t ha-1 or 10 t ha-1 in 2000. Food waste and recycled paper Vermicomposts were applied at the rates of 5 t ha-1 or 10 t ha-1 in 2000 to replicated plots planted with strawberries (Fragaria spp.). Inorganic control plots were treated with recommended rates of fertilizers only and all of the Vermicompost-treated plots were supplemented with amounts of inorganic fertilizers to equalize the initial N levels available to plants in all plots at transplanting. The marketable tomato yields in all Vermicompost-treated plots were consistently greater than yields from the inorganic fertilizer-treated plots. There were significant increases in shoot weights, leaf areas and total and marketable fruit yields of pepper plants from plots treated with Vermicomposts compared to those from plots treated with inorganic fertilizer only. Leaf areas, numbers of strawberry suckers, numbers of flowers, shoot weights, and total marketable strawberry yields increased significantly in plots treated with Vermicompost compared to those that received inorganic fertilizers only. The improvements in plant growth and increases in fruit yields could be due partially to large increases in soil microbial biomass after Vermicompost applications, leading to production of hormones or humates in the Vermicomposts acting as plant-growth regulators independent of nutrient supply.
Jose M Fernandez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
application of a set of complementary techniques to understand how varying the proportion of two wastes affects humic acids produced by Vermicomposting
Waste Management, 2015Co-Authors: Manuel J Fernandezgomez, Cesa Plaza, Alain F Plante, Jose M Fernandez, Rogelio NogalesAbstract:A better understanding of how varying the proportion of different organic wastes affects humic acid (HA) formation during Vermicomposting would be useful in producing Vermicomposts enriched in HAs. With the aim of improving the knowledge about this issue, a variety of analytical techniques [UV-visible spectroscopic, Fourier transform infrared, fluorescence spectra, solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, and thermal analysis] was used in the present study to characterize HAs isolated from two mixtures at two different ratios (2:1 and 1:1) of tomato-plant debris (TD) and paper-mill sludge (PS) before and after Vermicomposting. The results suggest that Vermicomposting increased the HA content in the TD/PS 2:1 and 1:1 mixtures (15.9% and 16.2%, respectively), but the Vermicompost produced from the mixture with a higher amount of TD had a greater proportion (24%) of HAs. Both Vermicomposting processes caused equal modifications in the humic precursors contained in the different mixtures of TD and PS, and consequently, the HAs in the Vermicomposts produced from different waste mixtures exhibited analogous characteristics. Only the set of analytical techniques used in this research was able to detect differences between the HAs isolated from each type of Vermicompost. In conclusion, varying the proportion of different wastes may have a stronger influence on the amount of HAs in Vermicomposts than on the properties of HAs.
Kavita Sharma - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
comparative analysis of Vermicompost quality produced from rice straw and paper waste employing earthworm eisenia fetida sav
Bioresource Technology, 2018Co-Authors: Kavita Sharma, V.k. GargAbstract:Abstract Present study was undertaken to investigate the Vermicomposting of two different organic wastes (rice straw and paper waste) employing, Eisenia fetida. Nine feedstocks were prepared with different ratios of wastes using cow dung as bulking substrate. After pre-composting, worms were allowed to feed on different feedstocks for 105 days under laboratory conditions. The results showed that NPK content was higher in the Vermicompost. Heavy metal content was also higher in the Vermicomposts. Whereas total organic carbon and C:N ratio were lower after Vermicomposting, by 17.38–58.04% and 19–102% respectively. SEM images revealed changes in the morphology of Vermicompost. Earthworm growth and reproduction was significant in different feedstocks except one containing 50% rice straw depicting that this ratio is not suitable for the earthworms. Results further demonstrated that proportion of bulking substrate affect the earthworm growth and reproduction.
