ABSTRACT
Vermicomposting of Flower Waste: Optimization of Maturity Parameter by Response Surface Methodology
Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)
Author: Dayanand Sharma, Kunwar D. Yadav
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
DOI: 10.26480/mjsa.01.2017.15.18
In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop an approach for the optimization of quantity of flower waste and cow dung to determine maturity during the vermicomposting of flower waste. The effect of maturity parameters such as C:N ratio, Germination index and CO2 evolution rate were studied using central composite design (CCD). Eisenia foetida was used in different combination of flower waste and cow dung during the vermicomposting of flower waste. Results of study showed significant effect of both variables and their interactions with process parameters during vermicomposting process. The optimum results obtained from response surface methodology was nearly equal between predicted and experimental analysis. The optimum variation of process parameter was pH 7.07-7.12, electrical conductivity 3.28 -3.42 mS/cm, total organic carbon 33.72-34.06%, C: N ratio 14-15, phosphorous 4.95-5.21 g/kg and potassium 13.99-14.31 g/kg. The results suggest that compost obtained from the vermicomposting of flower waste and cow dung contains sodium, potassium and phosphorous which are beneficial for the plant growth. Flower waste compost is suitable for organic manure which reduces the quantity of waste by converting into valuable products.
| Pages | 15-18 |
| Year | 2017 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Volume | 1 |
