Influence of Trichoderma viridae and Pleurotus sajarcasu in Enhancing Vermicomposting of Cellulose and Lignin-Rich Organic Materials

Abstract

In the present experiment, the efficiency of two common cellulose degrading micro flora viz. Trichoderma viridae and Pluerotus sajarcasu in degrading three relatively cellulose rich organic wastes were assessed under different combinations. Microorganisms procured from market contained 10x105 no. of organism count per g of material. The microbes were inoculated after reduction of initial flush of heat in the composting medium. This was followed by introduction of earthworms and maintenance of 40-50% moisture in the substrates covering a period of 60 days of incubation. Most of the organic wastes contain compounds, which are comparatively resistant to microbial degradation. Use of some suitable microorganisms with proven efficiency of degrading such resistant components helps in hastening the rate of composting However, for using these microbes in vermicomposting, they are required to be compatible to earthworm gut environment also. For preventing immobilization and encouraging mineralization of nitrogen during the composting of such slowly degradable organic wastes, use of small amount of nitrogenous fertilizer, may appear to be effective and further studies may be carried out in this regard.