Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures

Abstract

The study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of vermicompost mixtures to optimize nutrient extraction. Three compost mixtures (chicken plus horse (CH+H), chicken plus cattle (CH+C), and cattle plus horse (C+H)) were selected for quality evaluation at three extraction times: 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed differences (p < 0.05) in nutrient concentration of compost teas in different compost mixtures. The interaction between treatments and extraction time showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on nutrients except in P, K, Ca, and EC. The nutrients were higher at 48 h after extraction. The pH was observed to increase slightly with extraction time. C+H had more percentage of moisture content (44.79%) than other mixtures. This mixture was the most preferred by worms, i.e., it had the greater size and number of worms. The results suggested that the presence of oxygen in extraction and high temperatures affects ammonium availability in compost tea as they trigger nitrifying bacteria. Due to the decrease in some nutrients’ concentration (NO3, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu) at 72 h, it was concluded that 48 h is the best time to extract nutrients from compost mixtures to produce good quality compost using aerobic extraction method.