Vermiconversion of biogas plant slurry and parthenium weed mixture to manure

Purpose Parthenium hysterophorus is one among the mosttroublesome weeds at the global level. It is mainly controlledby chemical methods. The scientific community isin search of new but non-destructive approaches for itsmanagement. Vermicomposting is one among the promisingtechnologies for the management of organic fraction ofsolid wastes. This study was undertaken to assess thevermicomposting of parthenium weed mixed with biogasplant slurry under laboratory conditions.Method Six different combinations of biogas plant slurryand parthenium were fed to worms in vermibins undercontrolled laboratory conditions for 60 days. Variousphysico-chemical parameters before and after vermicompostingwere evaluated. Worm biomass production wasalso monitored periodically during the experimentationperiod.Results The EC, TCa and NPK content increased significantlyafter vermicomposting, accompanied by substantialreduction in organic carbon content. C: N ratio wasreduced to less than 20. Heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Ni, Cu, Crand Pb) concentration was higher in vermicompost than ininitial waste mixtures. Parthenium weed addition to wormfeed was not supportive to the worm growth and fecundity.It was inferred from the results that vermicomposting maybe an efficient biological approach to convert partheniumspikedbiogas plant slurry into nutrient-rich manure.