Selection and evaluation of optimal medium for Eisenia fetida in sustainable waste recycling

Abstract

Present study explored the optimal medium for survival, growth, and reproductive performance of Eisenia fetida using kitchen waste, cow dung mixtures, and rice straw in a volume of 3834. Experimental setups involved various combinations of different experimental set such as set I:kitchen waste alone (3 kg); set II kitchen waste:dung (2 kg:1 kg); set III kitchen waste:dung (1 kg:2 kg) set IV Kitchen waste: Dung: Rice straw (1 kg:1 kg:1 kg) and set V:dung alone (3 kg) to evaluate earthworm survival rates. Eisenia fetida were introduced three days after setup initiation, with temperatures maintained between 20 °C–28 °C and moisture levels at 50–60%. Jute cloth covers prevented external intrusion and earthworm escape. The study monitored earthworm weight, cocoon production, hatchlings, and waste in a 90 day experiment, collecting adult earthworms, cocoons, and juveniles for observation. Results revealed that specific ratios of kitchen waste and cow dung significantly influenced earthworm survival, reproduction and vermicompost quality. The study highlights the significance of optimizing waste recycling processes using earthworms and emphasizes the need for suitable mediums to improve waste conversion efficiency and vermicompost quality.