Vermicomposting for the management of domestic solid organic wastes

Abstract

There are possibilities for the recycling of solid organic wastes, by composting or vermicomposting, decreasing the environmental impact of discarding of residues in sanitary landfills and in the environment. Current research evaluates vermicomposting of domestic organic wastes with two species of earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida. The vermicomposting process was undertaken during six months, retrieved every 60 days and vermicomposting and vermicomposters monitored and fed weekly. Weekly monitoring and adjustments during vermicomposting showed an environment (temperature, pH, humidity and luminosity) favorable to the production of vermicomposting. Availability of manganese and zinc was higher when the compost´s pH was more acidic. Availability of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium increased when pH was stabilized. Results show that vermicomposting may be employed together with basic soil to increase the capacity of exchange of cations soil-plants and adequacy of soil´s pH to the needs of nutrients of the plant since macro- and micro-nutrients necessary for its development are released. Current study contributes towards analysis of vermicomposting and its use on a small scale.