Articles
Research on organic waste from some horticultural farming vermicomposting
Article number
1457_90
Pages
719 – 728
Language
English
Abstract
Vermicomposting is the decomposition of plant matter and food waste through the joint action of earthworms and mesophilic microorganisms.
It involves using epigeic earthworms that digest and recycle organic waste into worm castings, a good organic fertilizer.
The research examined vermicomposting of horticultural waste from ecological and conventional orchards using two species of red composting worms (Eisenia sp.), the California red worm and a native Romanian species.
The horticultural species studied were plum, apple, walnut, and vine.
The research objectives were: identification of horticultural waste that can be composted with earthworms (Eisenia sp.); obtaining vermicompost from horticultural waste from organic and conventional orchards; physico-chemical characterization of the vermicompost (N, P, K, M.O., pH, humidity), and phytopathological characterization of both the horticultural waste and in the resulting vermicompost, to test the possibility of reducing the presence of pathogenic fungi with the help of earthworms, as well as identifying the presence of beneficial fungi in the vermicompost.
All horticultural species tested in this study could be composted using earthworms.
The average time for all vermicompost trials to reach maturity was 6 months.
The vermicompost had good texture, color, and structure.
Significant differences in composting time were observed between horticultural species rather than between earthworm species.
The phytopathological analyses found that both earthworm species can eliminate spores of the pathogenic fungi Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp., and Venturia sp., but not those of Penicillium sp.
The presence of the genus Trichoderma in the resulting vermicompost demonstrates earthworms’ ability to enhance plant disease resistance by enriching the compost with microorganisms from their own microbiome.
Both worm species reproduced more successfully on eco-leaves.
The vine had the best results overall.
All populations have grown; at least they have doubled in size.
It involves using epigeic earthworms that digest and recycle organic waste into worm castings, a good organic fertilizer.
The research examined vermicomposting of horticultural waste from ecological and conventional orchards using two species of red composting worms (Eisenia sp.), the California red worm and a native Romanian species.
The horticultural species studied were plum, apple, walnut, and vine.
The research objectives were: identification of horticultural waste that can be composted with earthworms (Eisenia sp.); obtaining vermicompost from horticultural waste from organic and conventional orchards; physico-chemical characterization of the vermicompost (N, P, K, M.O., pH, humidity), and phytopathological characterization of both the horticultural waste and in the resulting vermicompost, to test the possibility of reducing the presence of pathogenic fungi with the help of earthworms, as well as identifying the presence of beneficial fungi in the vermicompost.
All horticultural species tested in this study could be composted using earthworms.
The average time for all vermicompost trials to reach maturity was 6 months.
The vermicompost had good texture, color, and structure.
Significant differences in composting time were observed between horticultural species rather than between earthworm species.
The phytopathological analyses found that both earthworm species can eliminate spores of the pathogenic fungi Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp., and Venturia sp., but not those of Penicillium sp.
The presence of the genus Trichoderma in the resulting vermicompost demonstrates earthworms’ ability to enhance plant disease resistance by enriching the compost with microorganisms from their own microbiome.
Both worm species reproduced more successfully on eco-leaves.
The vine had the best results overall.
All populations have grown; at least they have doubled in size.
Publication
Authors
A.M. Tomescu, A.C. Butcaru, C.A. Mihai, A.G. Peticilă
Keywords
Eisenia sp., earthworms, pathogenic fungi
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