Potential of Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) in lignocellulosic solid waste management and quality vermifertilizer production for soilhealth

Purpose The aim of this study was to recycle and reusethe enormously available unutilized lignocellulosic solidorganic waste resource, cashew leaf litter (CLL) admixedwith various animal dungs, cowdung, sheepdung andhorsedung by employing predominantly available indigenousepigeic earthworm—Perionyx excavatus (Perrier,1872) and produce quality vermifertilizer.Methods Four different combinations of each [(100 %dung alone, 3:1 (75 % dung 25 % CLL), 2:2 (50 %dung 50 % CLL) and 1:3 (25 % dung 75 % CLL)]vermibeds were allowed for vermicomposting processunder laboratory conditions. After 60 days, the wormworked vermicompost and worm unworked normal compostwere harvested and characterized. The earthwormactivity—growth, reproductive performance (cocoon productionand hatchling number) and recovery of vermicompostwas also studied.Results The obtained results clearly showed that vermicompostfrom CLL admixed with cowdung at 2:2 ratio hadlower pH, organic carbon, C–N ratio, C–P ratio, lignin,cellulose, hemicellulose and phenol content, and highernitrogen, phosphorus, potassium dehydrogenase and humicacid content than the raw substrates and worm unworkednormal compost. In addition, pronounced and betterearthworm activity was found in the above combination.Conclusion Through vermitechnology way of producingagronomic valid vermicompost using natural wasteresources like CLL and animal dungs can be used as bioorganicfertilizer. These vermiresources have vast anddiversified potential for maintaining sustainable soil health,fertility, productivity, waste degradation, soil reclamation,land restoration practices and environment health.