Physical, Chemical and Biological Changes of Enriched Insect Biomass Compost at Different Stages of Decomposition

Abstract

Changes in physical, chemical and biological changes during different stages of insect enriched compost were determined with compost enriched with insect biomass such as silkworm pupae, silkworm moth, uzi fly and fruit fly. There were higher in moisture and temperature during initial weeks of composting and thereafter it decreased with time. The pH of the decomposing materials decreased with the time of decomposition of silkworm pupae, moth, uzi fly and fruit fly residue except farm yard manure. There were losses of N in FYM+ silkworm pupae and FYM + silkworm pupae with the effect an initial increase in C:N ratio was observed which decreased later on due to decomposition. Per cent major, secondary and micronutrients content increased during composting of silkworm pupae and moth residues as compare to all composts. The microbial population and enzymatic activities were higher between 30 and 60 days of composting during various compost which was enriched with selected insect biomass. Whereas, higher were observed in pupa and moth composts compared to fruit fly an uzi fly compost.