Effects of Different Compositions of Rice Straw on Nutrient Profile of Vermicompost and Fecundity of Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to observe the effects of different compositions of rice straw on fecundity and population of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using 100%, 90%, 80%, 70% of cow dung with 10%, 20%, 30% rice straw in 80-litre plastic tubs containing 100 adult earthworms for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, the total number of cocoons produced in E. fetida was higher (541±2.65) in 90% cow dung with 10% rice straw. The organic carbon (%) was highest in 100% cow dung (28.22±0.20) and lowest in 10 % rice straw + 90% cow dung (21.49±0.67) but nitrogen % was highest in 10 % rice straw (1.466± 0.009) followed by 20 % rice straw (1.37± 0.015), 30 % rice straw (1.33± 0.0057) and control (1.28 ±0.01). The C/N ratio was maximum in control (22.05± 0.33), followed by 30 % rice straw (20.38± 0.54), 20 % rice straw (17.41± 0.62) and 10 % rice straw (14.66± 0.37). The total phosphorus (%) was highest in 10 % rice straw (1.363± 0.025), followed by 20 % rice straw (1.18±0.025), 30 % rice straw (0.81± 0.03) and control (0.72± 0.0055). A similar trend was observed in total Potassium, where 10 % rice straw (1.95 ±0.02) had the highest total potassium, followed by 20 % rice straw (1.84± 0.019), 30 % rice straw (1.76 ±0.035) and control (1.46± 0.025). Hence, the addition of rice straw has a significant effect on the total number of cocoons produced and population of E. fetida in comparison to the control. The organic carbon (%) and C/N ratio were recorded highest in the control group and lower in treatments having rice straw and cow dung, but nitrogen %, total potassium and total phosphorus % were highest in 10 % rice straw followed by 20 % rice straw, 30 % rice straw and control.
Authors: Tejpal Dahiya, Rajender Kumar Gupta, Ram Niwas
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415185102
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: