Effectiveness of a Windrow of Lawn Clippings for Massive Yield of Eudrilus eugeniae in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The valorization of agricultural organic residues produced in large quantities represented a major challenge in Côte d'Ivoire. In this context, vermicomposting, which transformed these residues into vermicompost, an organic fertilizer, constituted a sustainable solution for agriculture. However, the availability of earthworms remained a major constraint for the implementation of this process. Thus, this study, conducted in Yamoussoukro, demonstrated the effectiveness of a windrow of dry lawn clippings as an experimental system for producing significant biomasses of Eudrilus eugeniae, an epigenic earthworm species used to improve vermicompost profitability. The average temperature of 25 °C and the rainfall of 95 mm recorded between 2010 and 2019, corresponding to the favorable living conditions of Eudrilus eugeniae, made it possible to determine the implementation period of the windrow from July to October 2020. The windrow covered an area of 14 m² with a height of 10 cm and consisted of approximately 112 kg of dry lawn  clippings. During the three-month experiment, 50 rainless days were recorded, which required irrigation. In total, 384 liters of water were applied in 16 irrigation events, at a rate of 24 liters every three days, in order to maintain optimal moisture conditions. At the end of the three months, 3,600 earthworms were harvested. These worms enabled the inoculation of 18 composters at a density of 200 individuals per composter. The results confirmed the feasibility of this windrow system, which was adapted to tropical conditions and accessible to smallholder farmers, with the objective of improving the fertility of market garden crops.