Agrochemical indices of vermicompost obtained from different types of organic wastes of agricultural production

Abstract

Utilization of the increasing amounts of accumulated and newly formed volumes of manure is an urgent problem of agricultural production. In parallel, soil degradation is observed due to acute shortage and imbalance of organic fractions, macro- and micronutrients. Active restoration of soil structure and fertility requires application of balanced complex organomineral fertilizers. These problems may be solved by the introduction of vermitechnologies. The research goal was to study vermicompost obtained by processing sheep, cattle and poultry manure. Vermicomposting was carried out in closed room conditions at ambient temperature of 18-25°C and substrate moisture content of 60-80%. Worms of the family Lumbricidae: Dendrobaena veneta and Eisenia fetida were used as substrate processors. The vermicomposting process lasted for 2 months. Vermicompost samples were tested in the certified laboratories of the FGBU State Agrochemical Service Center Stavropolskiy and the Testing Center of the FGBU North Caucasus Interregional Veterinary Laboratory. It was found that the content of organic matter, basic nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and minerals may significantly vary depending on the primary substrate. At the same time, the indices of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and manganese content may differ 2 or more times depending on the type of the initial raw material. The test results show the compliance of the obtained types of vermicompost with the GOST (Russian National Standard) requirements for organic and mineral fertilizers which allows their use as balanced organomineral fertilizers for agricultural crops at soil application. The use of low-cost vermicomposting technology makes it possible not only to recycle production and life wastes but also to obtain complex organomineral fertilizers suitable for use in agricultural production at various levels.