Studies on Vermicomposting of Sericultural Wastes: An Eco-Friendly Approach for Effective Management of Seri-Wastes

Abstract

Vermicompost is one of the most essential and efficient organic manure commonly applied to the mulberry field in most the advance sericulture countries. Vermicompost is the one of the beneficial biotechnology is the bioconversion of organic waste into useful form. In the current experiment, soil treated with vermicompost of three different treatments viz., Cow dung + Seri-waste (T-1), Cow dung +Seri-waste (T-2) and Cow dung +Seri-waste + Rice straw (T-3) were recorded different parameters. After the application of different treatment of vermicompost the best recorded treatment as a T-as 6.7 pH. The moisture retention capacity was recorded as 52% in T-1 and 74% and 62% respectively in T-2 and T-3, with electric conductivity as 2-3ms/cm. The soil texture of soil treated with T-2 (Cow dung +Seri-waste) showed best input as 50% as compared to T-1 and least in T-3 as 40% and 35% respectively. Application of different treatment of vermicompost on soil   recorded to be T-2 (Cow dung +Seri-waste) showed positive response and high availability of microorganisms that are beneficial for the mulberry plant. The germination percentage of seed of mulberry treated with different treatment was recorded to be highest of 90% in T-2 and root and shoot length of plant grown as 26cm and 12cm as compared to T-1 and T-3 as 19 cm and 8cm, 34cm and 10cm respectively. Similarly, the moisture percentage and moisture retention capacity of T-2 was recorded to be highest as 74.64% and 73.21% respectively. Therefore, the current experiment opens new avenues vermicompost substrate for promoting of by-product utilization seri-waste in sericulture. The resultant product could be utilized for agricultural and horticultural as well. The present results offer numerous scopes for further sustainable agriculture with special emphasis on sericulture industry.