Management of municipal solid wastes and production of liquid biofertilizer through vermic activity of epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida

Background Animal and municipal solid wastes (MSW)create environmental pollution. It is one of the most challengingproblems which require attention. Efforts weremade for the conversion and eco-management of animaland municipal wastes into safe and hygienic products by anepigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. The excess use ofchemical fertilizer and synthetic pesticide has changed thetexture of soil and its fertility.Result The chemical analysis of different combinationsof MSW and animal wastes before and after vermicompostingshowed, that there was significant decrease in totalorganic carbon, C/N ratio and pH in the final vermiwash.The significant increase in the level of total Kjeldahlnitrogen, total potassium, total phosphorus and total calciumwas observed after vermicomposting in all the preparedcombinations of MSW with different animal dungs.Conclusion It was recorded that due to the vermicactivity, the MSW and animal wastes get changed intonutrient rich, ecofriendly, and biofertilizer. The observationsreveal that by vermicomposting not only ecofriendlymanagement of MSW can be achieved but also potentvermiwash can be made which are helpful in increasing theproduction of crops.