Composting of sugarcane waste by microorganism and subsequent vermicomposting: A practical implementation study

Abstract

The sugarcane waste can be processed in usable composed fertilizer towards a good source of additional income for farmers as sugarcane trash is produced in large quantities because of the cash-crop nature of sugarcane. The microbial processing can produce good quality organic fertilizer from sugar cane trash. The large amount of raw trash material remains more on the farm, so it can be used to prepare fertilizer naturally. The compost conversion will reduce the air pollution caused by burning of sugarcane trash at the farm, and also, the trash burning destroys soil organisms. Herein, a practical implementation of vermicomposting has been studied to generate the compost fertilizer from sugarcane trash. A prototype composting tray, measuring 30 cm by 80 cm, was developed for the experiment. The bottom layer of the tray is filled with cow dung and sugarcane trash, occupying 80% of the tray. It was sprinkled with water to moisten the contents. Two kilograms of Eisenia foetida worms were introduced for vermiculture. The vermicompost obtained was further applied for growing the crops.