Abstract

  Utilization of organic wastes in the production of biofertilizers (by vermicompost method) with analysis of their micro and macro nutrients was done to ascertain their efficiency in farming against synthetic fertilizer. In this bio-conversion process, earthworms feed on the farm wastes products. Farm wastes (Water melon, Cucumber, Orange, Garden egg and Pawpaw) were blended with Cow dung manure and Pig slurry in the ratio of 5: 1 and vermicomposted for 30 days in an earthen pot using Eisenia fetida earthworm species. Temperature, pH and moisture content were daily monitored. Both the vermicompost and the synthetic fertilizer were used for the cultivation of Spinach (vegetable green) and fruited pumpkin (ugu). The analysis of the micro and macro mineral nutrients of the vermicompost and the synthetic fertilizer were done using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results of the vermicompost of all the samples showed that the micro nutrients of the four vermicompost samples A-D plus N.P.K ranged as follows Fe (0.06 ± 0.01-38.03 ± 0.04mg/kg), Cu (35.30 ± 0.14 -59.59.53 ± 0.04mg/kg), Zn (0.6 ± 0.01-9.65 ± 0.07mg/kg), Mn (0.13 ± 0.04-30.05 ± 0.07mg/kg) while macro mineral nutrient are as follows Mg (1.02 ± 0.030-3.53 ± 0.04mg/kg), Ca (1.02 ± 0.01-22.55 ± 0.07mg/kg), N (20.05 ± 0.07-27.23 ± 0.04mg/kg), P (10.06 ± 0.08-30.10 ± 0.14mg/kg), K (10.02 ± 0.02-37.05 ± 0.07mg/kg). Generally the four vermicompost samples had high content of micro and macro mineral nutrients than N.P.K due to the action of the earth worm which helps in converting of organic matter into mineral nutrient. They also had a better performance in terms of growth rate compared to samples planted with normal N.P.K fertilizer and control soil samples, due to nutrient balance in organic manure which affects plant growth and development compared to chemical fertilizer. Vermicomposting can be used as a wastes product management strategy and at same time, obtain biofertilizers which are environmental friendly.

Keywords: Organic Waste; Biofertilizer; Vermicompost; Micro and Macro Mineral Nutrient, Growth Rate

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Citation

Citation: Obianuju Ozioma Ezeorji., et al. “Utilization of Organic Wastes in the Production of Biofertilizer (by Vermicompost using Eisenia fetida Earthworm) with Analysis of their Micro and Macro Mineral Nutrient and their Effects on Growth Rate of Fruited Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 4.2 (2020): 111-120.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Obianuju Ozioma Ezeorji., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.