Достижения в области переработки и управления отходами

Identification and Screening of Earthworm Species from Various Temperate Areas of Kashmir Valley for Vermicomposting

Abstract

Sehar T, Gowher Gull Sheikh, Zargar MY and Baba ZA

Earthworms are very important organisms in different ways, they are both environmentally and economically beneficial and hence their proper identification and screening for vermicomposting is very vital. The present study was carried out during the year 2011-2012 at Organic Farming Research Centre Wadura Campus, SKUAST Kashmir, with an objective to identify the local earthworm species from various areas of Kashmir valley and then screen for their vermicomposting potential. The earthworms were collected from three different locations (Wadura, Shalimar and Gulmarg) of Kashmir Valley using hand sorting method, cultured and then carefully examined. The worms were washed with water and preserved in 10% formalin solution. Based on Taxonomic characteristics, the species Eisenia Foetida, Apporectodea rosea and Apporectodea caliginosa were identified from Wadura Sopore, Eisenia foetida and Apporectodea caliginosa were identified from Shalimar Srinagar and Eisenia foetida and Approectodea caliginosa were identified from Gulmarg. Screening of the identified worms from each location was carried out on the basis of maturation of vermicompost and nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) to select the outstanding isolate. Since the isolate Apporectodea rosea from Wadura, Eisenia foetida from Shalimar and Apporectodea caliginosa from gulmarg selected for vermicomposting. Eisenia foetida in terms of reduction in the overall maturation period of vermicompost, therefore may be considered as the most outstanding one out all the isolates.