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[Display omitted] • Stocking density of Eisenia fetida could affect the green waste (GW) vermicomposting. • The optimum earthworm stocking density is 30 worms/kg (T3) for GW vermicomposting. • 30 worms/kg stocking increases the growth of earthworms and the NPK content. • T3 increased the OM degradation rate by 35 % relative to control (no earthworm). • PCA showed that earthworm growth was negatively correlated with lignocellulose. Appropriate stocking density plays an important role in ensuring the stability and improving the overall efficiency of the vermicomposting system. Although some studies have shown that earthworms can degrade lignocellulosic materials, relatively few studies have been conducted on the effect of earthworm stocking density on the degradation of a single green waste (GW) with high lignocellulosic content. Therefore, this study investigated the degradation effect of earthworms on GW at different stocking densities, and assessed the stability and maturity of the whole vermicomposting by comprehensively analysing the changes in physicochemical and biological properties of earthworms during vermicomposting, and by combining the growth of earthworms with a multi-dimensional assessment of the stability and maturity of the whole vermicomposting. In this study, six stocking densities (CK-T5) were set up, namely, no earthworms, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 worms/kg. The results showed that compared with the CK (without earthworms), when there were 30 earthworms per kg of GW (i.e. T3), the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, organic matter decomposition, bacterial and fungal numbers, and germination index of earthworm compost products increased by 14 %, 29 %, 32 %, 35 %, 42 %, 94 %, and 125 %, respectively. T3 also enhanced the activities of cellulase and alkaline phosphatase. The results were further supported by principal component analysis. Finally, we conclude that when the stocking density of earthworms is appropriate (T3), it not only favours the growth of earthworms, but also positively affects the physicochemical properties of the vermicomposting process, which in turn significantly improves the biodegradation efficiency of GW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bali is one of the islands with the largest Hindu religion in Indonesia. This is of course an attraction for tourists to see the culture and natural beauty that the island of Bali has to offer. However, apart from that, there are many religious activities that occur on the island of Bali and the waste produced is something that needs special attention. If this waste is not handled properly, it will threaten environmental sustainability in Bali and indirectly the tourism offered. Therefore, there is a need for a solution to overcome the waste problem. By conducting observations, interviews and literature studies, a way to overcome this problem was found, namely by converting the waste into aromatherapy incense, vermicomposting, briquettes and biofuel. The results of this processing have been studied and of course have the potential to be carried out on the island of Bali. The application of this method also indirectly plays an important role in preserving the environment and economy on the island of Bali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Earthworms and LAB synergistically enhance TC degradation efficiency. • LAB alleviate the biological stress of TC on earthworms. • Various TC doses significantly affect earthworm body bacterial communities. • High TC doses can elevate pathogenic bacteria dominance. Tetracycline is an antibiotic with extensive veterinary use in the livestock industry. However, their widespread application poses risks to soil health as residue in livestock feces, and their removal is crucial for sustainable soil-ecosystem development. Physical and chemical approaches to extract tetracycline may have adverse effects on soil ecosystems, but no studies have thus far examined the potential for biological methods, such as collective degradation action of soil fauna. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on biodegradation of tetracycline residues in sheep manure. We assessed earthworm biomass, tetracycline residue, and bacterial communities in both earthworm intestines and vermicompost. Earthworm biomass and tetracycline degradation efficiency increased significantly with LAB addition, with a degradation rate of up to 80.16%. This increase may be attributable to LAB acting as electron donors to spur tetracycline degradation. Additionally, we noted that tetracycline presence significantly influenced bacterial communities in earthworm intestines and vermicompost, elevating the abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Flavobacterium , Gammaproteobacteria , and Enterobacteriaceae). This finding suggests that heightened environmental stress from antibiotics could actually facilitate the growth of less prevalent bacteria, including potential pathogens. In conclusion, our study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of LAB and earthworms in degrading tetracycline residues. In particular, LAB appears to mitigate stress from tetracycline exposure in earthworms, thus increasing their vermicomposting efficacy. Our work has important implications for soil management, with the potential to enhance pollution clean-up rates while minimizing negative side-effects to soil microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome of worms from composting facilities potentially harbors organisms that are beneficial to plant growth and development. In this experiment, we sought to examine the potential impacts of rhizosphere microbiomes derived from Eisenia fetida worm castings (i.e. vermicompost) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, L.) plant growth and physiology. Our experiment consisted of a greenhouse trial lasting 17 weeks total in which tomato plants were grown with one of three inoculant treatments: a microbial inoculant created from vermicompost (V), a microbial inoculant created from sterilized vermicompost (SV), and a no-compost control inoculant (C). We hypothesized that living microbiomes from the vermicompost inoculant treatment would enhance host plant growth and gene expression profiles compared to plants grown in sterile and control treatments. Our data showed that bacterial community composition was significantly altered in tomato rhizospheres, but fungal community composition was highly variable in each treatment. Plant phenotypes that were significantly enhanced in the vermicompost and sterile vermicompost treatments, compared to the control, included aboveground biomass and foliar δ15N nitrogen. RNA sequencing revealed distinct gene expression changes in the vermicompost treatment, including upregulation of nutrient transporter genes such as Solyc06g074995 (high affinity nitrate transporter), which exhibited a 250.2-fold increase in expression in the vermicompost treatment compared to both the sterile vermicompost and control treatments. The plant transcriptome data suggest that rhizosphere microbiomes derived from vermicompost can influence tomato gene expression and growth-related regulatory pathways, which highlights the value of RNA sequencing in uncovering molecular responses in plant microbiome studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworms are a resilient group of species thriving in varied habitats through feeding on decaying organic matter, and are therefore predicted to survive an abrupt sunlight reduction scenario, e.g., a nuclear winter. In this study, the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of foraging earthworms to reduce global famine in such a scenario with or without global catastrophic infrastructure loss was considered. Previously reported earthworm extraction methods (digging and sorting, vermifuge application, worm grunting, and electroshocking) were analysed, along with scalability, climate-related barriers to foraging, and pre-consumption processing requirements. Estimations of the global wild earthworm resource suggest it could provide three years of the protein needs of the current world human population, at a median cost of USD 353·kg−1 dry carbohydrate equivalent or a mean cost of USD 1200 (90% confidence interval: 32–8500)·kg−1 dry carbohydrate equivalent. At this price, foraging would cost a median of USD 185 to meet one person's daily caloric requirement, or USD 32 if targeted to high-earthworm-biomass and low-labour-cost regions; both are more expensive than most existing resilient food solutions. While short-term targeted foraging could still be beneficial in select areas given its quick ramp-up, earthworms may bioaccumulate heavy metals, radioactive material, and other contaminants, presenting a significant health risk. Overall, earthworm foraging cannot be recommended as a scalable resilient food solution unless further research addresses uncertainties regarding cost-effectiveness and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of vermicomposting process in removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) antibiotics in cattle manure. In this experimental study, vermicomposting process was performed in 6 reactors on a pilot scale. The cattle manure (3.5 kg) and Eisenia foetida worms (120 g) were added to each reactor. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim antibiotics were added to reactors in four different concentrations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg and two reactors were control free-worm with antibiotic and free antibiotic. Vermicomposting quality tests, including pH, electric conductivity (EC), total and volatile solids (VS), ash content, C/N, and potassium (K) were performed during the vermicomposting process for 8 weeks. Antibiotics concentration was analyzed using a high-performance chromatography (HPLC), and toxicity assessment of the final product was evaluated by germination index (GI) test. The results showed that there was a decrease in total solid, K and C/N and an increase in pH, EC, VS, and ash content parameters. Moreover, investigations showed a significant reduction in antibiotic concentrations at the end of the process. Antibiotics changes during the vermicomposting process showed that SMX had a faster removal rate compared to TMP and reached ≥ 99.99% at the end of the fourth week. In reactors with lower antibiotic concentrations, a faster removal rate was observed. The biodegradation of antibiotics follows first-order kinetics. GI toxicity assessment shows that this index reached 90% at the end of the process. Finally, it seems that vermicomposting is an effective method in reducing antibiotics in cattle manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicomposting offers an eco-friendly solution to managing the sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial community composition, structure and functionality during the vermicomposting of sewage sludge. We analyzed samples of sewage sludge, earthworm casts and vermicompost by applying high-throughput sequencing 16S and ITS rRNA. Most of the bacterial (95%) and fungal taxa (99%) were eliminated and subsequently replaced by other microbial taxa originating from earthworms. Further changes resulted in a vermicompost with a more diverse bacterial (but not fungal) community. In addition, the earthworm activity led to an increase in bacterial and a decrease in fungal alpha diversity, resulting in greater differences in beta diversity between sewage sludge, casts and vermicompost. We also found that bacterial pathways associated with amino acid and plant hormone biosynthesis and antibiotic synthesis were enriched. Vermicomposting successfully eliminated most of the 10 human bacterial pathogens found in the sewage sludge. Simultaneously, parasitic and pathogenic fungal taxa were removed. Overall, vermicompost derived from sewage sludge is safer for disposal on land than raw sludge, particularly regarding their respective microbial compositions. This indicates that it could potentially be used as a soil organic amendment and fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the vineyard to the bottle, the winemaking process generates a variety of by-products, such as vinasses, spent filter cakes, grape pomace, grape lees, and vine shoots. To avoid damaging the environment and to reduce economic impacts, the by-products and wastes must be handled, disposed of, or recycled properly. This review focuses on an environmentally friendly approach to the management and added value of winemaking by-products, such as grape pomace or grape marc, by using vermicomposting. Vermicompost is a well-known organic fertilizer with potential uses in soil bioremediation and the conservation of soil health. To achieve environmental neutral agriculture practices, vermicomposting is a promising tool for resilient and sustainable viticulture and winemaking. Vermicomposting is a simple, highly beneficial, and waste-free method of converting organic waste into compost with high agronomic value and a sustainable strategy in line with the principles of the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractKalmegh is an important medicinal crop because of the most important biologically active phyto-chemical called andrographolide. Production of higher herbage yields with appropriate quality in terms of andrographolide is largely dependent upon efficient nutrient management. This study aimed to assess the effect of organic manures application and variable nitrogen rates on growth, yield, andrographolide content and total antioxidant activity of Kalmegh. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three levels of organic manures [M1- Control, M2- vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 and M3- poultry manure @ 5 t ha−1] and four fertility levels [F1- 0: 50: 50, F2- 50: 50: 50, F3- 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 and F4- 75: 50: 50 kg ha−1 N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively] replicated thrice. The highest dry herbage yields and andrographolide content of kalmegh were recorded with vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 + 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha−1 followed by poultry manure @ 5 t ha−1 + 75 (37.5 + 37.5): 50: 50 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha−1 during both the years while, lower yields due to control. Dry herbage and andrographolide yield were found to be highest in M2×F3 compared with M1×F1. Our study concluded that the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 along with 75 kg ha−1 N in two splits and 50 kg ha−1of each P2O5 and K2O resulted higher yield and andrographolide content which, would provide better soil nutrient status in sustainable manner without affecting ecological balances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current European Union pesticide risk assessment for soil organisms, effect endpoints from laboratory studies (Tier 1) and field studies (higher‐tier risk assessment) are compared with predicted environmental concentrations in soil, derived from the proposed use pattern. The simple but conservative initial Tier 1 risk assessment considers a range of worst‐case assumptions. In contrast, the higher‐tier assessment focuses on specific conditions tested in the corresponding field study. Effect modeling, such as toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic (TKTD) modeling, is considered a promising future tool to address uncertainties in soil risk assessment, such as extrapolation to different ecological, pedo‐climatical, or agronomical situations, or to serve as an intermediate tier for potential refinement of the risk assessment. For the implementation of TKTD modeling in soil organism risk assessment, data on earthworm growth and reproduction over time are required, which are not provided by the standard Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) 222 laboratory test. The underlying study with carbendazim presents a new earthworm cocoon test design, based on the OECD 222 test, to provide the necessary data as input for TKTD modeling. This proposed test design involves destructive samplings at days 7, 14, 21, and 28, enabling the determination of growth, cocoon number, and the number of juveniles hatched per cocoon in 7‐day intervals. The new cocoon test allowed the disentanglement of the toxic effect of carbendazim in earthworms: At the highest concentration prominent effects on growth and reproductive output were observed, and the number of cocoons was significantly reduced compared to control. The results highlighted different physiological modes of action: effect on growth via higher maintenance costs as a primary mode of action as well as a reduced number of cocoons (effect on reproduction) and a lower number of juveniles hatching from each cocoon (hazard during oogenesis) as a secondary mode of action. We provide an example of how this new test's data can be used to feed a dynamic energy budget theory–TKTD model of Eisenia fetida. We also validate it against the original OECD 222 test design, outlining its potential future use in soil risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–10. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system of fertilizing agricultural soils with sludge or compost from wastewater treatment processes, as one of the principles of the circular economy, can lead to microplastic (MP) contamination. The existing technical standards for fertilization are very recent and do not consider this problem, although there is scientific evidence of their existence. Therefore, this study, on the one hand, evaluates the presence of MPs in agricultural soils, previously treated with sludge or compost from wastewater treatment plants for fertilization, and on the second hand, it studies the effect of these MPs on earthworms in three different locations in the south of Spain. For the study, selected composts deriving from the different stages of the composting process and three fertilized soils with increasing MP doses were followed. Samples were taken from different sections in depth (0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm) to study the shape, size, type, and abundance of MPs using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the most abundant shape was fiber, followed by fragment and finally bulk, for both composts and soils. Regarding size distribution, 100 µm was the predominant size in composts (64.3% ± 9.8), while in the case of soils, the predominant range was from 100 to 500 µm. The prevalent polymers in both, composts and soils, were PTFE, TPE, PP, and PET, with four times higher amounts in composts than in soils. Ingestion of common MPs were also verified in two earthworm species, which ingested concentrations higher than 2.1% w/w. PP was the most ingested MP and Eisenia fetida was more voracious compared with Lumbricus terrestris. Therefore, it can be considered a suitable bioindicator for monitoring microplastic contamination in agricultural soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicomposting utilizes the synergistic effect of earthworms with microorganisms to accelerate the stabilization of organic matter in biowastes. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism behind the maturity of vermicompost and the growth of earthworms exposed to biochar of varying particle sizes remains unclear. This study presents an investigation of the effect of biochar particle size on earthworm (Eisenia fetida) survival, microbial diversity, and the quality of vermicompost products. To address these issues, pelletized dewatered sludge samples from a municipal sewage treatment plant were amended with pine-based biochar with particle sizes of 1–2 mm, 25–75 μm, 200 nm, and 60 nm as the substrate for vermicomposting. This study revealed that the addition of millimeter-scale biochar and micron-scale biochar significantly promoted the degradation of organic matter since the organic matter in the treatment with 1–2 mm biochar at the end of the vermicomposting experiment decreased by 12.6%, which was equivalent to a 1.9-fold increase compared with that of the control. Excessive nanopowdering of nanobiochar significantly affected the survival of earthworms and led to 24.4–33.3% cumulative mortality, while millimeter-scale (mm) biochar and micron-scale (μm) biochar achieved zero mortality. The findings of this study could be used for evaluating the potential impact of nanoscale biochar to earthworms and guiding biochar-augmented vermicomposting. Highlights: The addition of 1–2 mm biochar resulted in a 1.9-fold greater reduction in organic matter compared to the control group. The introduction of 25–75 μm biochar led to a significant 94% increase in earthworm cocoons. The cumulative mortality rates of 200 nm and 60 nm biochar amendment reached peaks of 33.3% and 24.4% at first week, respectively. Earthworms excrete mucus that effectively removes attached nanobiochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to identify the effects of aging on the biodegradability of vermicomposts in soil. Two solid wastes, including cow manure (CM) and wheat residues (WR), were subjected to the vermicomposting. The products of the various ages were mixed with Lavark and Langroud soils and incubated for 45 days. Results indicated that the aging effects led to an increase in the lignin (LG) content. Potentially, mineralizable C was decreased from 5308 mg C kg−1 for fresh substrates to 1643 mg C kg−1 for aged CM vermicompost in the Lavark soil. The decreasing trend was also observed for the Langroud soil. Similar behavior was also shown for the soils when treated with WR vermicomposts of different ages. The age of vermicomposts was negatively correlated with potentially mineralizable C as well as LG and C/N ratio. Multiphase decomposition was observed, in particular when the products of the early ages were used. The aging of CM and WR induced a decrease in the number of decomposition phases. Overall, by aging, the less biodegradable fraction (lignin) accumulates, and the patterns of decomposition tend to decrease the number of decomposition phases or decrease the last phase biodegradation rate constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the synergistic impact of earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae) and microbes during vermicomposting of invasive weed phytomass (Xanthium strumarium and Lantana camara). This study aims introducing an onsite solution for weed control while producing valuable organic manure. Vermitransformation and detailed characterization of mono- (VC1, VC2, VC4, VC5) and polyculture (VC3, VC6) of X. strumarium and L. camara has been reported for the first time employing E. fetida and E. eugeniae. The study achieved 45.16 ± 2.48–76.73 ± 1.37% vermiconvertion rate. The pH, conductivity, and concentration of heavy metals are effectively stabilized. Furthermore, it observed a significant reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) alongside the augmentation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and other trace elements (Zn, Ni, Fe). The ash content, humification index, and C/N ratio analysis established the maturity of the vermicompost. The macronutrient enhancement in the vermicompost samples was recorded 1.5- to 2.47-fold for total N, 1.19- to 1.48-fold in available P, 1.1- to 1.2-fold in total K, and 1.1- to 1.18-fold in total Ca. The germination index reveals a significant reduction in phytotoxicity, suggesting the production of mature and suitable vermicompost for agricultural use. Evaluating mono- and polyculture techniques, the research highlights the superiority of E. fetida over E. eugeniae. Further, the earthworm population and biomass have significantly increased by the end of 60-day experimental trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicomposting of bakery sludge (BS) was studied when amended with fruit-vegetable waste (FV) and cow dung (CD) with different proportions in vermi-units (VU): VU1(CD100), VU2(CD75BS25), VU3(CD50BS25FV25), VU4(CD25BS25FV50), and VU5(CD25 BS50FV25). Results showed a reduction in pH and total organic carbon and an increase in electrical conductivity, ash content, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium after vermicomposting. Carbon/nitrogen decrease followed: VU3 > VU1 > VU4 > VU2 > VU5, whereas a maximum reduction in carbon/phosphorus (60.7%) was observed in VU3 and a minimum (44.8%) in VU5. Seed germination assay of Cicer arietinum was 71–138% with maximum in VU3. Respiration rates of 69–115 mgCO2 kg−1VC48h−1 were achieved signifying stability and non-toxic impact. The presence of FV waste in vermi-units enhanced earthworm population, biomass, growth rate, and cocoons. VU3 exhibited higher macro- and micronutrients as well as worm growth and fecundity over other vermi-units. Based on results, FV waste and CD amendment at 25% and 50%, respectively, are suggested as appropriate to produce enriched vermicompost from BS using Eisenia fetida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to utilize steel mill sludge because of the high concentration of heavy metals included therein. To passivate the activity of heavy metals, reduce their toxicity, and create a new valuable product, in this study, 4 kg sludge was composted with a combination of earthworms and different ratios (2%, 4%, and 8%) of bamboo charcoal. The effects of bamboo charcoal and the combination of bamboo charcoal and earthworms on the changes of heavy metals in industrial sludge were examined. The results showed that under the 8% bamboo charcoal ratio, addition of bamboo charcoal alone increased the concentrations of heavy metals, while the addition of bamboo charcoal combined with earthworms reduced it in sludge. The application of bamboo charcoal transformed the available state to iron-manganese bound and residue fraction in the sludge, thus reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals. Addition of bamboo charcoal and earthworms promoted the transformation percentage of heavy metals in exchangeable, carbonate, organic matter, and iron-manganese fractions to the residue fraction in sludge, which further decreased the bioavailability of heavy metals. Vermicomposting with 8% bamboo charcoal achieved maximal heavy metal passivation. Correlation and redundancy analyses showed that composting with a combination of bamboo charcoal and earthworms mainly altered the total phosphorus content, which affected the bioavailability of heavy metals. Addition of earthworms and bamboo charcoal to sludge significantly reduced the total contents of heavy metals and their bioavailability, promoted the conversion of heavy metals to the residue fraction, and improved sludge availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicomposting in comparison to conventional composting has several advantages, such as faster treatment of organic waste and production of manure compost with lower levels of salinity. Therefore, the determination of optimal mixtures of organic waste and manure for vermicomposting and deployment of local earthworms for this procedure have important implications in plant agriculture. In this work, the vermicompost was prepared from mixtures of manure (cattle, horse and sheep) and household organic waste (wood shavings, paper, leaves, fruit and vegetable waste) in various ratios. To convert the organic waste to the vermicompost we used the local earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), while a hybrid species Eisenia anderii (Iogonen, 1995), served as control. Chemical analysis of the resulting vermicompost revealed significant increase in nutrient content compared to the initial substrate: the total nitrogen (N) was increased by 79%, phosphorus (P) by 89% and potassium (K) by 62%. The efficacy of the vermicompost, which was evaluated to have high NPK content, was further studied by observing its impact on the growth of local cucumber variety Miracle F1. As a control, the plants were cultured in medium without vermicompost (black sand). In this work, we examined the effect of different proportions of vermicompost on the development and yield of cucumber seedlings. The experiments were conducted in the greenhouse of the Institute of Biochemistry, Samarkand State University. Cucumber seedlings were grown in a medium containing 10%, 20%, 30% vermicompost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, earthworms process enormous quantities of plant debris, ingesting and converting them into vermicast, the final product of their digestion process. Vermicast is widely recognized as an organic fertilizer suitable for plants, usually obtained from the transformation of animal manure. Indeed, controlled vermicomposting of the organic fraction from municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has yielded contradictory results, limiting the extension of laboratory results to larger-scale initiatives. This study aims to analyze a combined composting–vermicomposting process using Eisenia fetida (also known as Californian red worm) for the treatment of OFMSW (containing different impurities, such as heavy metals), mixed with a suitable substrate for earthworms, consisting of a blend of animal bedding and pre-selected food scraps (SOM—pre-selected organic material). Different fractions from a municipal composting plant were tested for the biological process: raw OFMSW, pre-composted (PC, organic matrix that has completed the thermophilic biodegradation phase), and compost (C). Laboratory tests involved five different applications with varying mixing proportions, partly aided by the addition of OM. The physical–chemical parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, moisture) and worm growth rate in the different treatments were measured and compared. The results showed that the process improved the quality of the final product, especially for the selected matrices, and revealed a significant reduction in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (lower than 14 in all tests) when vermicomposting was applied to the mixed matrices and SOM. Worms increased during the process in net weight and growth rate, even if there was an accumulation of heavy metals in the "worm tea". Worm mass reached a little over double the initial value in all tests (from 200 g to more than 500 g in the SOM test), except for an increase of only 87% in the OFMSW test, while heavy metal content in the solid matrix was reduced in all tests compared to the starting content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Vermicomposting utilizes the synergistic effect of earthworms with microorganisms to accelerate the stabilization of organic matter in biowastes. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism behind the maturity of vermicompost and the growth of earthworms exposed to biochar of varying particle sizes remains unclear. This study presents an investigation of the effect of biochar particle size on earthworm (Eisenia fetida) survival, microbial diversity, and the quality of vermicompost products. To address these issues, pelletized dewatered sludge samples from a municipal sewage treatment plant were amended with pine-based biochar with particle sizes of 1–2 mm, 25–75 μm, 200 nm, and 60 nm as the substrate for vermicomposting. This study revealed that the addition of millimeter-scale biochar and micron-scale biochar significantly promoted the degradation of organic matter since the organic matter in the treatment with 1–2 mm biochar at the end of the vermicomposting experiment decreased by 12.6%, which was equivalent to a 1.9-fold increase compared with that of the control. Excessive nanopowdering of nanobiochar significantly affected the survival of earthworms and led to 24.4–33.3% cumulative mortality, while millimeter-scale (mm) biochar and micron-scale (μm) biochar achieved zero mortality. The findings of this study could be used for evaluating the potential impact of nanoscale biochar to earthworms and guiding biochar-augmented vermicomposting. Graphical Abstract

A lot of fish waste is produced by the community, both from the marketing sector and the fisheries sector, which is caught by fishermen. Almost 35% of the fish waste produced is in the form of heads, bones, innards and also fish remains that are not the main catch which are thrown away directly. Vermicomposting is one of method to reduce the amount of fish waste. The adding of livestock manure in vermicomposting will increase the quality of compost. The purpose of this research is to analyze the compost quality with the mixture of fish waste and livestock manure. The results showed that The compost that has the best quality based on SNI 19-7030-2004 is B2 with 45% fish waste, 20% cow dung and 35% sawdust with a dose of EM4 10 ml, which has a final temperature of 29ºC, pH 7, water content 41%, C-organic 19.83%, nitrogen 1.34%, phosphorus 0.36%, potassium 1.15%, and C/N ratio 14.85. Then, after incubating the soil improvement, it was found that the addition of compost can improve the chemical characteristics of the soil according to the dose given. This indicates that compost application can affect soil quality. Soil quality that has C-organic and nitrogen content according to BPT in 2009 is with the addition of a dose of 5.2 grams of vermicompost. The shortcomings of this study are that the phosphorus and potassium levels are too high.

Abstract This study investigated batch-fed vermicomposting of cow manure, with a specific focus on assessing the effects of tylosin on the weight of earthworms and the overall quality of the resulting manure. Five reactors, including three concentrations of tylosin (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) and two control reactors, were employed. Residual tylosin concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quality parameters such as pH, temperature, volatile solids (VS), organic carbon content (OCC), electrical conductivity (EC), ash content, C/N ratio, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and microbial content were evaluated. The toxicity and maturity of vermicompost were assessed by determining the germination index (GI). The study also monitored variations in the earthworm’s weight. The results demonstrated a decreasing trend in VS, OCC, C/N, and fecal coliforms, along with increased pH, EC, ash content, and TKN during the vermicomposting process. Furthermore, investigations revealed significant reductions in the reactors with tylosin concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, resulting in the removal of 98%, 90.48%, and 89.38% of the initial tylosin, respectively. This result confirms the faster removal of tylosin in reactors with lower concentrations. Degradation of tylosin also conforms to first-order kinetics. The findings showed a significant influence of tylosin on the weight of Eisenia fetida earthworms and the lowest antibiotic concentration led to the highest weight gain. Finally, the high percentage of germination index (90–100%) showed that the quality and maturity of vermicompost is by national and international standards.

Urbanization and industrialization in this modern time actually cause less availability of daily based water. In searching of a preferable solution to overcome this critical problem, waste water treatment seems to be considered as a much valuable option for reusing water. For this, sewage water treatment plants (STPs) are widely used. But this solution is actually ironical, as STP treatment causes hazardous damage to the environment in treating waste water. This system needs lots of harmful chemicals, high energy, and high build-up to operate the process. But a newly considered technology has come to counteract all these problems of STPs and the method is 'Vermifiltration'. In this technique, earthworms are used to treat waste water. Earthworm's body acts as biofilter and it can reduce higher percentage of BOD, COD, TSS from the waste water compared to the STPs. Earthworms eat up the sewage, making them treated, neutralized, and non-harmful and finally excrete them with several useful microorganisms. The symbiotic activity between earthworms and microorganisms works to filter the waste water. This method is completely odour less and harmless. No sludge is formed. With having all these characteristics, vermifiltration becomes much better option for the environment. In this review, the method of vermifiltration, its limiting factors, utilization and future developments are properly discussed. Highlights: The present review reports the mechanistic pathway of vermifiltration method. An eco-friendly and reusable vermifiltration method is applicable for the treatment of wastewater. Various parameters such as hydraulic loading rate, salinity rate, clogging, and sunlight have a positive impact on the efficacy of sustainable vermifiltration system. Active zone of this system can remediate organics (COD, BOD), nitrate from nitrogen, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissolved phosphorus from several kinds of wasteeffluents. The integrated vermifilter technique reduces the consumption of land and promotes reutilization of wastewater for cultivation purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworm cultivation can effectively promote the resource utilization of agricultural waste. The efficient utilization of agricultural waste by earthworms mainly depends on the microbial communities in the guts. This study used silkworm excrement and cow manure as substrates for earthworm cultivation and investigated the associated bacterial communities during earthworms' growth. The survival rate of earthworms remained above 89% after 21 days of feeding with the two substrates. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes constituted the predominant bacterial communities in earthworm growth, accounting for over 81% of the relative abundance in both guts and vermicompost. The bacteria richness and diversity in the foregut and midgut of earthworm were lower than those in the hindgut. The prediction function of intestinal bacterial communities of earthworms cultured with two substrates mainly involved biosynthesis, decomposition and energy production. Highlights: Silkworm excrement and cow manure were used as substrates for earthworm cultivation. Silkworm excrement, like cow manure, is a good substrate for earthworm cultivation. Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes were the dominant bacteria during earthworms' growth. Earthworm activity and gut transit influence the abundance of dominant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe enormous generation of fecal sludge without proper treatment is a major sanitation problem. Vermicomposting of fecal sludge is an innovative way of producing value added compost called vermicompost. A vermicomposting technique that involves augmenting vermibed substrates with organic rich materials to provide additional nutrients and underlying layers needed for microcosm development to produce desirable vermicompost is mostly referred to as substrate enrichment. This study investigated the substrate enrichment of using plant-derived materials, which include coconut coir, palm coir and saw dust, combined with agricultural soil for the production of vermicompost from fecal sludge. Enriched substrates were prepared with 80 g of agricultural soil as amending material, 120 g of fecal matter (65-70% dry matter) and 160 g of the plant-derived materials. The treatments were labeled T1-T3, thus, T1 contained coconut coir, T2 contained palm coir and T3 contained saw dust, followed by a control treatment (T4) that had no plant-derived material. Treatments were triplicated and about 3-week-old 20 clitellated, E. fetida (live weight ∼255–275 mg) were used in the vermicomposting for 12 wk. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, Organic Carbon (Corg), Total Nitrogen (Ntot), Available Phosphorus (Pavail), Exchangeable Calcium (Caexch), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Aluminum (Al) test were performed. Vermicompost at T1 had the most Corg mineralization, most enhancement in Ntot, Pavail, Caexch, and least concentration of Fe, Pb and Al. Less than 20% earthworm mortality was recorded in all treatments except T4 (28.38 ± 8.71%). The enriched substrates were suitable for vermiculture with a worm weight ranged from 593.77 to 569.39 ± 2.30 mg and the vermicompost recorded high nutrient contents. The nutritious nature and the reduced metal concentration of the produced vermicompost might be safe and productive for agricultural use. However, further studies on the effectiveness of the vermicompost on plants growth and yield needs to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrated the effects of adding specific proportions of vermiculite (VMT: 0%, 10%, and 20%) and earthworm casts (EWCs: 0%, 10%, and 20%) on the physico-chemical properties of composted green waste (CGW), and the impacts of amended CGW as growth media on the growth of three common ornamental plants (Dahlia pinnata Cav. [dahlia], Centaurea cyanus L. [cornflower], and Consolida ajacis [L.] Schur [delphinium]). Compared with Treatment T1 (CK), the addition of 10% VMT and 20% EWCs greatly (p < 0.05) increased the total porosity, aeration porosity, water-holding porosity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and organic matter of CGW by 9%, 35%, 4%, 18%, 27%, 13%, and 33%, respectively. In addition, this pattern increased (p < 0.05) the total fresh biomass, total chlorophyll content, and root length of dahlias by 9%, 19%, and 27%, respectively; those of cornflowers by 17%, 30%, and 29%, respectively (p < 0.05); and those of delphiniums by 23%, 14%, and 63%, respectively. Therefore, the amended CGW supplemented with 10% VMT and 20% EWCs was an ideal growth medium for the three plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and earthworms are threatened by anthropogenic contamination resulting from olive mill waste dumping on the soil due to their pollutant properties. While several studies have explored the effects of olive mill waste on soil properties and the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, there is currently a gap in the literature regarding the potential bioaccumulation of heavy metals from olive mill waste in earthworms. In this study, soil with earthworms from two ecological categories (endogeic: Aporrectodea trapezoides and epigeic: Eisenia fetida) was treated with increasing doses of olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and olive mill pomace (OMP), applied individually or combined, in an indoor experiment in plastic containers, under laboratory conditions. The results revealed the presence of significant concentrations of heavy metals in the two types of wastes ranging as follows: Fe˃ Zn˃ Cu˃ Cd˃ Cr for OMWW, and Fe˃ Zn˃ Cu˃ Cr for OMP (with Cd below the detection limit). The study demonstrated distinct effects of OMWW and OMP, both individually and in combination, on soil heavy metal content, ranging as follows: soil OMWW > soil Combination > soil OMP for Cd; soil Combination > soil OMWW > soil OMP for Cr and Fe; and soil Combination > soil OMP > soil OMWW for Cu and Zn. Additionally, our investigation showed that both earthworm species exhibited significant uptake of these metals into their tissues, particularly the endogeic species. Interestingly, the most significant difference between species was in the accumulation of Cu, with the epigeic species accumulating significantly lower amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Earthworms are important in soil formation. They maintain soil structure and fertility and can be used as indicators to evaluate various changes and impacts. Therefore, the present study was developed to investigate the effects of diesel pollutant on the population and survival of the earthworm species E.fetida in the co-vermicomposting process. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted over 90 days to investigate the effects of diesel concentration on the survival of E.fetida in the co-vermicomposting process. One kilogram of soil contaminated with diesel, vermicompost, and raw activated sludge was added to each reactor in a ratio of 0.25:0.35:1.10. Additionally, 20 adult E. fetida were added to the reactors with diesel concentrations of 10 and 30 g/L after the adaptation process. Results: The survival of earthworms and the formation of cocoons in reactor number 3 were higher than in other reactors. Additionally, the amount of diesel removal in reactor number 3 (diesel concentration: 10 g/kg dried soil +20 E.fetida) was higher (70.5%) compared to the other reactors. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that earthworm reproduction is more sensitive than survival or weight change to higher concentrations of diesel-contaminated soil. The presence of petroleum compounds in the soil is harmful for the growth of E.fetida, and its acute effects on the production of earthworm cocoons were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residues on the reproduction of E. foetida, the physicochemical characteristics and phytotoxicity of vermicompost. In this research, 8 treatments were analyzed: T1: bovine manure, T2: poultry manure, T3 corn chaff, T4: peanut shell, T5: bovine manure + corn husk, T6: bovine manure + peanut shell, T7: poultry manure + corn chaff and T8: poultry manure + peanut shell. Reproduction parameters such as number, size and weight of worms were evaluated. The physicochemical parameters of the vermicompost analyzed were yield, moisture, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration, while phytotoxicity was analyzed against Lactuca sativa seeds. The results obtained showed that T1 was able to reproduce 912 units with an average length of 4,86 cm and generated 17,17 kg of vermicompost, T7 presented a higher concentration of nitrogen (2,64%) and organic matter content of 52,71%, the pH remained in neutral values (6,9-7,2), while the electrical conductivity was low (0,22-0,64 ds/m). None of the treatments showed toxicity to L. sativa seeds, but T1, T3, T4, T5, T7 and T8 showed phytostimulant activity on seed germination. Biological transformation of wastes is an important tool for waste management that influences E. foetida reproduction, yield, vermicompost quality and stimulates L. sativa germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to environmental stresses such as heavy metal pollution, herbicides, and climate change may cause adverse effects on biological animals such as earthworms, leading to conditions including intestinal ulcers. This study outlines the potential of a cerium‐based metal–organic framework (Ce‐MOF) in healing alcohol‐induced ulcers in earthworms. The Ce‐MOF was synthesized via a solvothermal technique and analyzed using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Ce‐MOF exhibited a one‐dimensional channel and demonstrated multi‐enzyme‐like activity. It was examined on earthworms suffering from ulcers caused by alcohol use. Examinations at a macroscopic level, histological analysis, and transmission electron microscopy images showed significant harm to the intestinal lining in ulcerated worms. The ulcer treatment with Ce‐MOF substantially enhanced intestinal morphology, repaired the epithelial lining, and facilitated ulcer healing. Furthermore, Ce‐MOF decreased the death rate and enhanced the weight of earthworms in comparison to untreated groups. This study emphasizes the potential of Ce‐MOF as an innovative therapeutic agent for alcohol‐induced ulcers, emphasizing its prospective uses in regenerative medicine and tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperaccumulator plants are a botanical curiosity that have allowed the development of agromining of metals, with a special focus on nickel. In nickel agromining, this element is recovered from ashed hyperaccumulators cultivated on metal‐rich soils. In order to explore bio‐based approaches for the decomposition of hyperaccumulator biomass and nickel recovery that do not include burning, we performed a vermicomposting experiment using the earthworm species Eisenia andrei and the biomass of Bornmuellera emarginata (which contained almost 1% of nickel). We conducted our experiment for 12 weeks and assessed the decomposition process of the hyperaccumulator biomass, changes in earthworm number and biomass, and changes in nickel concentration and mobility. Despite the initial mortality and an increase of Ni concentration in earthworm tissues, E. andrei was able to decompose B. emarginata biomass. This process also showed a massive colonization of the biomass by a fungus during the first weeks of the assay. Our results indicate that the vermicomposted hyperaccumulator biomass had a higher nickel concentration than the starting material but the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid‐extractable nickel decreased. At the same time, due to earthworm activity, the nickel was redistributed and diluted in the vermicompost bedding, reducing the interest of this approach for agromining, but opening the perspective of using the vermicomposted hyperaccumulator biomass as an organic amendment in nickel‐deficient crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of integrated dose of manures and fertilizers and harvesting stages on growth and yield of Andrographis paniculata in the experimental farm as well as laboratory of Department of Forest Products, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan Himachal Pradesh during the year 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) factorial under field conditions with eight treatments and three replications. Among various organic manures and fertilizers combinations treatment T2 (NPK @ 60:45:30 kg/ha) excelled over other treatments for all the growth and yield parameters i.e. plant height (46.98 cm), plant spread (30.07 cm2), number of branches per plant (19.89), number of leaves per plant (92.39), fresh stem weight per plant (20.30 g), dry stem weight per plant (12.90 g), fresh leaf weight per plant (13.87 g), dry leaf weight per plant (7.47 g), fresh above ground biomass per plant (35.29 g), dry above ground biomass per plant (20.70 g), estimated fresh above ground biomass (26.12 q/ha) and estimated dry above ground biomass (15.32 q/ha) which was followed by T7 (Vermicompost @ 3.3 t/ha + PK @ 45:30 kg/ha) and minimum values were recorded in control i.e. (T1). However, in case of interaction effect between organic manures, fertilizers and harvesting stages maximum values for estimated fresh above ground biomass (30.82 q/ha) and estimated dry above ground biomass (18.95 q/ha) were recorded in treatment combination T2H2 (NPK @ 60:45:30 kg/ha at flowering stage). Economic analysis revealed that NPK (60:45:30 kg/ha) had the highest benefit cost ratio of 2.06 which was followed by Jeevamrit + PK (45:30 kg/ha) i.e. 1.59 and minimum value was recorded in control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is a member of Amaranthaceae family. This plant is annual and has seeds with high nutritional value. Quinoa seeds contain a high percentage of protein and essential amino acids, which are low in other plants. Using high-efficiency irrigation systems such as drip irrigation system, increasing water productivity and modifying the cultivation pattern and using alternative low-consumption plants are among the effective solutions for saving water consumption and sustainable development in the agricultural sector. The use of vermicompost, which is obtained as a result of the continuous and slow passage of organic materials through the digestive system of surface earthworm species and the removal of these materials from the worm's body, is a sustainable solution to maintain production and improve fertility. The soil is especially in arid and semi-arid areas that face a lack of soil organic matter. Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted as a split plot based on randomized complete block design in the research farm of University of Kurdistan located in Dehgolan in 1400. The experimental factors included 4 levels of irrigation equal to 50, 75, 100 and 125% of the water requirement of the quinoa plant were assigned to main plots and 4 levels of vermicompost fertilizer equal to zero, 5, 10 and 15 tons per hectare were assigned to sub plots. The irrigation method used in this experiment was drip-strip irrigation system. In this study, the irrigation cycle was considered constant and equal to seven days. The distance between irrigation strips in each plot was equal to 50 cm. The amount of irrigation water was measured by a volumetric meter installed on the main pipe. At the end of the growth period, by removing the marginal effect of two square meters from each plot, the aerial parts were harvested in order to obtain the seed yield. Nutrient elements in quinoa seeds include nitrogen by Kjeldahl titration method, phosphorus, potassium by flame diffusion method and with the help of film-photometer device, sodium and calcium and micronutrient elements such as zinc, iron, copper and manganese by absorption device. atomic, were measured. Results and discussion: The results of analysis of variance obtained from the data of this research showed that the interaction effect of different levels of irrigation x vermicompost on grain yield traits, concentration of nitrogen, calcium, zinc and iron elements was significant. However, the concentration of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium elements under the influence of independent effects of different levels of irrigation and vermicompost became significant at the probability level of 1%. The concentration of sodium and copper elements were significant only under the influence of different irrigation levels. The results showed that the highest grain yield (2374.51 kg.ha-1), zinc concentration (20.22 mg.kg-1) and iron concentration (400.92 mg.kg-1) in The treatment was 125% of plant water requirement and 15 tons of vermi-compost per hectare. Also, the highest concentration of elements phosphorus (0.35%), potassium (4.31%) and copper (4.63 mg.kg-1) was observed in the treatment of 125% of plant water requirement. The highest concentration of nitrogen (2.6%), sodium (1.37%) and manganese (55.61 mg.kg-1) of quinoa seeds was observed in the treatment of 50% of plant water requirement. Conclusion: The results of the present experiment showed that the application of different levels of vermicompost increases the concentration of elements in quinoa seeds. Due to the fact that vermicompost-containing substrates have a high percentage of nutrients and the release of these elements is gradual, therefore plant nutrition is more efficient and the result is an increase in the concentration of seed elements. On the other hand, due to the positive effects of vermi-compost in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil and increasing the maintenance of soil moisture at stress levels, it increases the concentration of quinoa seed elements compared to the treatment without the use of vermi-compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different culture media have various materials that impact root system architecture (RSA) and root system quality in plants. Finding the most compatible RSA of cucumber seedlings among the eight mixed culture media is critical to plant productivity. In this experiment, cucumber seeds were sown in eight mixed culture media, including a volume ratio of 30:10:60 of 1- perlite-vermicompost-coco peat as the control group, 2 - peat moss-vermicompost-palm peat, 3- cocopeat-vermicompost-palm peat, 4- perlite-vermicompost-palm peat, and 30:70 ratios of 5- peat moss- palm peat, 6- cocopeat -palm peat, 7- perlite -palm peat and 8- vermicompost-palm peat under greenhouse conditions. RSA of the seedlings was evaluated by GiA-Roots software via imaging at the fourleaf stage. The results showed that the minimum network length, network area, and network perimeter (821.6 cm, 7598.3 cm2, and 2102.3 cm, respectively) in the seedlings occurred on perlite-vermicompost-c oco peat (control) which lacked palm peat. The minimum network volume, number of connected components, and network depth were observed in the control. However, the maximum network length, network volume, number of connected components, network width, network area, and network perimeter (88862.8 cm, 2076390.9 cm3, 23. 2, 4567.4 cm, 332356.1 cm2, and 132068.9 cm, respectively) occurred in seedlings on peat moss-vermicompost-palm peat (30:10:60). Thus, a culture medium containing 30% peat moss, 60% palm peat, and 10% vermicompost improved RSA in cucumber seedlings. Palm peat was recommended as a sustainable resource to comprise culture media for cucumber seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IN THE CONTEMPORARY era, the disposal of plastic has emerged as a significant environmental concern, primarily due to the prevalence of non-biodegradable plastics in the environment. The decomposition of plastics through biological means is inherently slow, given the resistant nature of plastic polymers that are hard and insoluble in water. However, certain conducive conditions enable the degradation of microplastics by organisms such as earthworms. Earthworms play a pivotal role in this process through their gut microflora and mucous secretions, which actively contribute to the degradation of microplastics. This involvement triggers the production of microbial exoenzymes, stimulating microbial activity and leading to the depolymerization of plastics. Essentially, earthworms function as eco-engineers, fostering habitat conditions that enhance the rate of plastic biodegradation under specific environmental circumstances. Recent studies have introduced the concept of bioaugmentation as a potential approach to expand biological treatments for waste management, specifically targeting plastic biodegradation. This review comprehensively explores the role of earthworms' gut microflora and the associated microbial metabolic pathways involved in the degradation of plastics. The dire threat of plastic pollution to both human health and the environment is also acknowledged. In light of the current situation surrounding plastic pollution, there is a pressing need for a more critical and scientific approach for the remediation of pollutants. This review is dedicated to addressing this demand, emphasizing the urgency of adopting effective strategies for mitigating the impact of plastic waste on our ecosystems and, consequently, on human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TWO FIELD experiments were done in order to reduce the effect of water stress on head lettuce, therefore this study were conducted to impact the influence of vermicompost soil addition and foliar application of proline and melatonin on growth (fresh, dry weights, leaf area, relative water content, numbers of outer leaves, in addition chlorophyll a, b, and carotene contents), yield (head height, head diameter, head weight and total yield), and quality (total dissolved solids (TDS), total carbohydrates, crude protein, total sugar, crude fiber percentages, vitamin C, vitamin E, nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), proline, super oxidase dismutase, peroxidase and catalyse) of head lettuce (lactuca sativa) cv Kharga under water stress (100, 75 and 50% of full irrigation). The results showed the combined treatment of vermicompost and foliar spray with proline under 75% of full irrigation provided the highest vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigments, head yield and quality relative to other treatments including plants grown full irrigation without vermicompost and foliar spray with tap water treatments. These results suggest that yield and quality of head lettuce could be improved under abiotic stress including water scarcity through application of proline, melatonin and vermicompost, additionally these treatments could save water quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Chemical pollution resulting from pesticide usage has been a continuous issue since the 1960s, despite comprehensive European Union legislation designed to safeguard human health and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides. While regulatory risk assessments primarily focus on the active ingredients, recent research indicates ecotoxicological impacts of commercial preparations on non-target organisms, particularly within the soil ecosystem where key species such as earthworms play a vital role in maintaining soil quality and fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was the assessment of the long-term effects of the following respective commercial preparations: the insecticides Sumialfa (esfenvalerate) and Calypso (thiacloprid), as well as the herbicides Frontier (dimethenamid-p) and Filon (prosulfocarb) on the earthworm Eisenia andrei in standardized soil during long-term exposures of 7, 14, and 28 days. To study the possible effects on different levels of biological organization, enzymatic biomarkers: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES) glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx); non-enzymatic biomarkers: multixenobiotic resistance activity (MXR), levels of glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reproductive success were investigated. While Calypso appeared to be the least toxic substance, all pesticides showed significant effect on multiobiomarker response in E. fetida. That being said, the response of MXR activity was significantly altered by all tested pesticides indicating MXR being the most sensitive endpoint of the present research. Recovery of MXR was observed after 28 days, however, only in case of exposure to Filon, while the recovery of CAT activity was recorded after 28 days as well, subsequent to Sumialfa exposure. Reproductive success was negatively impacted regarding the Frontier and Sumialfa exposure at the highest concentration (100 mg/kg) reflected in reduced number of cocoons, while only the exposure to Frontier (100 mg/kg) reduced the number of juveniles. Based on the results, it is important to include commercial pesticide formulations in pesticide risk assessments. The toxicity classifications of the studied pesticides suggest the potential detrimental consequences to the key soil species in terrestrial ecosystems at various concentrations. Future studies should include other soil species as well as investigation of higher levels of biological organization, i.e., behavioral endpoints, to determine the potential risks to terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the influence of various biofertilizer sources on turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivation in Eastern Nepal. The research was conducted at G.P Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Centre, Sundarharaicha, Morang, Nepal, from April 2023 to January 2024. The experiment utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments including T1: Recommended dose (RD) of NPK, T2: Goat manure (GM), T3: Organic manure (OM), T4: Poultry manure (PM), T5: Vermicompost (VC), T6: Farmyard manure (FYM), T7: Control, replicated three times. Turmeric cultivation practices were implemented following standard agronomic procedures. The recommended dose of synthetic fertilizer, NPK, exhibited the highest enhancement across multiple vegetative and reproductive growth parameters of turmeric, with notable increases in plant height, leaf number, tillers per plant, primary and secondary fingers per clump, fresh rhizome yield, dry yield, and dry recovery percentage. Among the organic sources, goat manure and poultry manure also showed promising results in enhancing turmeric yield and quality. Specifically, NPK recorded the highest fresh rhizome yield at 21.30 tons ha-1, while goat manure and poultry manure yielded 20.35 tons ha-1 and 18.69 tons ha-1, respectively. In contrast, the lowest fresh rhizome yield was observed in the control group, indicating minimal enhancement in yield without fertilizer supplementation. The results highlight how organic farming methods may be a good substitute for traditional chemical fertilizers in the context of sustainable turmeric production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) family fabaceae is one of the most important leguminous crops grown all around the world. The crop was found to suffer from collar rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolsii Sacc. in severe form in many regions of Gujarat where groundnut-chickpea cropping sequence is present. So, for its management different biocontrol agents were evaluated under pot condition. Among them antagonists found best in inhibition in dual culture experiment were selected for pot culture experiment. The seed treatment of Trichoderma spp. isolate 3 was found most effective with incidence of 22.79 per cent. Pseudomonus fluorescence was observed as second most effective bioagent in reducing disease incidence with 61.76 per cent followed by Bacillus subtilis with 74.85 per cent disease incidence. Similarly, organic amendments viz., farm yard manure, neem cake, vermicompost and poultry manure enriched with effective bioagents were evaluated in pot culture experiment and found that all were effective in reducing per cent disease incidence. Among them farm yard manure enriched with Trichoderma spp. isolate 3 showed maximum reduction of disease incidence of 5.09, followed by neem cake, vermicompost and poultry manure enriched with Trichoderma spp. isolate 3 by recording disease incidence of 8.08, 8.91 and 31.54 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the sporadic number of scientific studies on vermicomposting apple pomace waste, this research conducts a comparative analysis of vermicomposting processes using Eisenia fetida, focusing on apple pomace both independently and in combination with wheat straw and/or manure (experiment 1: 60% apple pomace and 40% cattle manure; experiment 2: 60% wheat straw and 40% cattle manure; experiment 3: 80% apple pomace, 10% wheat straw, and 10% cattle manure; and experiment 4: 100% apple pomace). After a 240-day substrate transformation period, all four variations of vermicompost produced demonstrated favorable sensory properties, along with high microbiological and physicochemical quality. Throughout the vermicomposting process, the pH of all vermicomposting mixtures changed, converging towards approximately neutral values by the process's conclusion. There was an increase in dry matter content, as well as total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, along with organic matter. Notably, the levels of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) in both the vermicomposting materials and resulting vermicomposts remained significantly below the maximum permissible levels stipulated by Republic of Serbia and European Union legislation, which is directly linked to the ecological origin of the raw materials used. The microbiological quality of the final vermicomposts was deemed satisfactory. Over time, there was a decrease in the counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria as well as Escherichia coli. The counts of sulfite-reducing clostridia in all substrates remained below 102 CFU/g, while Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in either the composting materials or the resulting composts. The vermiculture of apple pulp exhibited advantageous characteristics, notably a shortened vermicomposting period (150 days) compared to other agricultural waste. This reduction in processing time contributes an additional layer of advantage to the overall quality and efficiency of the resulting vermicompost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winemaking is one of the most relevant socio-economic activities in the world, particularly in countries such as Portugal, generating substantial amounts of by-products across its various phases. Managing these by-products presents significant environmental, ecological, and economic challenges. Vermicomposting, the use of earthworms to process and transform organic wastes into nutrient-rich end-products, provides a viable alternative for waste management within the wine sector. This bioprocess also produces vermicompost that enhances soil health and fosters optimal conditions for plant growth, thereby promoting resilient and sustainable viticulture practices. This review explores the various by-products produced by the vine and wine industry, highlighting the potential of vermicomposting. Remarkably, grape marc, the primary solid waste of the winemaking process, has been the most commonly vermicomposted material. In contrast, other vineyard and wine cellar by-products have been comparatively underutilized and understudied in this context. However, we hypothesize that all vine and wine industry by-products have vermicomposting potential, allowing for the production of fertilizers and soil amendments. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy, ensuring that all materials stemming from viticulture and wine production are valued and reused, thereby contributing to enhanced sustainability and the preservation of resources like soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted to assess the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) var. Calcuttia Single using a randomized complete block design with eight treatments including vermicompost, farmyard manure, poultry manure, charcoal, NPK fertilizer, and their combinations in triplicates. Measurements of vegetative and reproductive parameters were recorded at 35, 55 and 85 DAT. Results revealed that compared to the control, poultry manure and vermicompost, singly or combined with NPK, significantly enhanced both vegetative and reproductive traits. Poultry manure resulted in the tallest plants (126.21 cm), the highest number of branches (29.93), and the largest flowers (14.11 cm diameter), with the earliest flowering (51.33 days). Vermicompost showed effectiveness in plant height (117.37 cm), number of branches (28.80), plant spread (81.43 cm) and flower number (40.47). The control plot exhibited the least effectiveness in all parameters. These findings highlight the significant role of organic fertilizers in enhancing the growth and yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) var. Calcuttia Single. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers plays a crucial role in farming practices in Nepal, depending on their availability. Applying fertilizers like compost, vermicompost, goat manure, and NPK has shown significant effects on various aspects of plant growth and yield. This study was conducted in Diktel, Khotang district of Nepal, from March 14th to June 7th, 2023, aiming to evaluate how different organic and inorganic sources affect the growth and yield of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.). The experiment followed a one-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications, involving five treatments: T1: 100% Compost manure, T2: 100% Vermicompost, T3: 100% Goat manure, T4: 100% NPK, and T5: Control. The results clearly showed that both vegetative and reproductive traits were significantly varies among several treatments utilized in the experiments at 0.1% level of significance. Compost application consistently showed better results across most growth and yield parameters assessed. Growth parameters included plant height, leaf count per plant, leaf length, and leaf width, while yield parameters included beetroot diameter, beetroot length, root yield, and leaf yield. Organic compost manure particularly stood out, displaying significantly larger beetroot diameter (4.85 cm) and greater beetroot length (9.3 cm). Additionally, compost manure led to notably increased root yield (13.95 t/ha) compared to the control treatment, which recorded a lower root yield (6.28 t/ha). Overall, all treatments outperformed the control in terms of growth and yield parameters. These findings suggest that organic compost manure is the most favorable choice for achieving high-quality beetroot production in the hilly regions of Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic composting of food waste (FW) from rural China using a composting device results in a substantial financial burden on the government. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of mitigating this cost using vermicomposting of composted FW. The specific aims were to elucidate the effects of composted FW on earthworm growth and reproduction, reveal the changes in the physical and chemical properties of earthworm casts during vermicomposting, identify the microbial community structure associated with vermicomposting, and perform a financial analysis based on the yield of earthworms and earthworm casts. Mixing composted FW and mature cow dung in an equal ratio achieved the highest earthworm reproduction rate, where 100 adult earthworms produced 567 juvenile earthworms and 252 cocoons in 40 d. Earthworms reduce salt content of vermicomposting substrates by assimilating Na+ and promoting humification by transforming humin into humic and fulvic acid, thus producing earthworm casts with a high generation index > 80%. When composted FW was added to a vermicomposting substrate, a distinctive microbial community structure with alkaliphilic, halophilic, and lignocellulolytic microorganisms dominated the microflora. The dominant bacterial species was Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, and the dominant fungal species changed from Kernia nitida to Coprinopsis scobicola. Furthermore, microbial genes for refractory organic matter and fat degradation were observed in Vibrio cholerae, Kernia nitida, and Coprinopsis scobicola. Financial analysis showed that vermicomposting has the potential to reduce the cost associated with FW disposal from $ 57 to $ 18/t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several Acacia species are aggressive invaders outside their native range, often occupying extensive areas. Traditional management approaches have proven to be ineffective and economically unfeasible, especially when dealing with large infestations. Here, we explain a different approach to complement traditional management by using the waste from Acacia management activities. This approach can provide stakeholders with tools to potentially reduce management costs and encourage proactive management actions. It also prioritizes potential applications of Acacia waste biomass for agriculture and forestry as a way of sequestering the carbon released during control actions. We advocate the use of compost/vermicompost, green manure and charcoal produced from Acacia waste, as several studies have shown their effectiveness in improving soil fertility and supporting crop growth. The use of waste and derivatives as bioherbicides or biostimulants is pending validation under field conditions. Although invasive Acacia spp. are banned from commercialization and cultivation, the use of their waste remains permissible. In this respect, we recommend the collection of Acacia waste during the vegetative stage and its subsequent use after being dried or when dead, to prevent further propagation. Moreover, it is crucial to establish a legal framework to mitigate potential risks associated with the handling and disposal of Acacia waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The potential effect of microplastics is an increasingly growing environmental issue. However, very little is known regarding the impact of microplastics on the vermicomposting process. The present study explored the effect of non-biodegradable (low density polyethylene; LDPE) and biodegradable (polybutylene succinate-co-adipate; PBSA) microplastics on earthworm Eisenia fetida during vermicomposting of cow dung. For this, earthworms were exposed to different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%) of LDPE and PBSA of 2 mm size. The cow dung supported the growth and hatchlings of earthworms, and the toxicity effect of both LDPE and PBSA microplastics on Eisenia fetida was analyzed. Microplastics decreased the body weight of earthworms and there was no impact on hatchlings. The body weight of earthworm decreased from 0 to 60th day by 18.18% in 0.5% of LDPE treatment, 5.42% in 1% of LDPE, 20.58% in 2% of LDPE, 19.99% in 0.5% of PBSA, 15.09% in 1% of PBSA and 16.36% in 2% of PBSA. The physico-chemical parameters [pH (8.55–8.66), electrical conductivity (0.93–1.02 (S/m), organic matter (77.6–75.8%), total nitrogen (3.95–4.25 mg/kg) and total phosphorus (1.16–1.22 mg/kg)] do not show much significant changes with varying microplastics concentrations. Results of SEM and FTIR-ATR analysis observed the surface damage of earthworms, morphological and biochemical changes at higher concentrations of both LDPE and PBSA. The findings of the present study contribute to a better understanding of microplastics in vermicomposting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated batch-fed vermicomposting of cow manure, with a specific focus on assessing the effects of tylosin on the weight of earthworms and the overall quality of the resulting manure. Five reactors, including three concentrations of tylosin (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) and two control reactors, were employed. Residual tylosin concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quality parameters such as pH, temperature, volatile solids (VS), organic carbon content (OCC), electrical conductivity (EC), ash content, C/N ratio, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and microbial content were evaluated. The toxicity and maturity of vermicompost were assessed by determining the germination index (GI). The study also monitored variations in the earthworm's weight. The results demonstrated a decreasing trend in VS, OCC, C/N, and fecal coliforms, along with increased pH, EC, ash content, and TKN during the vermicomposting process. Furthermore, investigations revealed significant reductions in the reactors with tylosin concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, resulting in the removal of 98%, 90.48%, and 89.38% of the initial tylosin, respectively. This result confirms the faster removal of tylosin in reactors with lower concentrations. Degradation of tylosin also conforms to first-order kinetics. The findings showed a significant influence of tylosin on the weight of Eisenia fetida earthworms and the lowest antibiotic concentration led to the highest weight gain. Finally, the high percentage of germination index (90–100%) showed that the quality and maturity of vermicompost is by national and international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehending the growth and reproductive capabilities of vermicomposting worm species across diverse wastes from various sources is crucial for the effective utilization of earthworms in sustainable waste management systems. This study evaluated the growth and reproductive potential of three epigeic earthworm species in a substrate comprising brewery sludge mixed with cow dung. Following the introduction of sexually matured earthworm species into the experimental substrate, E. fetida released 165 ± 0.88 cocoons at a reproduction rate of 32.8 ± 0.67 cocoons/worm, E. andrei released 164 ± 1.48 cocoons at a cocoon production rate of 32.19 ± 1.38 cocoons/worm, and D. veneta released 110.25 ± 1.2 cocoons at a cocoon production rate of 22.7 ± 1.5 cocoons/worm. The incubation period for E. fetida and E. andrei ranged between 3 and 4 weeks, while D. veneta required a relatively longer period of 5 to 7 weeks. After the introduction of newly hatched hatchlings into the test substrate, a similar pattern of biomass increment was observed between E. fetida and E. andrei, with both species exhibiting progressive growth up to the 5th week. In D. veneta, successive biomass increments were recorded up to the 7th week, after which the biomass of each experimental species gradually declined. The current study demonstrated that all experimental earthworm species exhibited robust growth and reproductive performance in brewery waste mixed with cow dung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]