INTRODUCTION Vermicompositing technology is one of the best options available for the treatment of organic rich solid wastes.

The term vermicompositing is coined from the latin word vermis meaning to be worms . vermicompositing refers to composting or natural conversion of biodegradable garbage in to high quality manure with help of earthworms. Earthworms play a vital role in soil biology. They serve as versatile natural bioreactors to harness energy and destroy soil pathogens. High lighting the role of earthworms, Charles Darwin called them the unheralded soldiers of the soil. From then on different experimental studies have been carried out to study the role of earthworms in maintaining the soil fertility and also in the degradation of the organic matter present in the soil. Different scholars have tried the possibilities of utilizing earthworms for the breakdown of organic wastes such as animal wastes, vegetables and sludge. (Dr.C. Viswanathan, Professor, Urban Engineering and Management Program). 1.1 Biology of Earthworms: The earthworm is a tube shape segmented invertebrate. Its body holds its shape because it is full of liquid called coelomic fluid found between the body wall and to alimentary canal. If one were to view a cross section of the worm body it would resemble a target with the center representing the internal organs and the outer circle representing the body wall. Earthworm has a long, cylindrical body with a pointer head. In some species the posterior end is slightly flatter, while in others the body is cylindrical throughout. The rings that surround the moist, soft body allow the earthworm to twist and turn, especially since it has no backbone with any true legs. Bristles (Setal0 on the body move back and forth allowing the earthworm to crawl. Earthworm breathes through its body.

1.2.1 Epigeic Earthworms are surface dwellers serving as efficient agents in segmentation of organic matters on the soil surface. 1.2.2 Anecies The feed on the organic matter mixed with soil and live deep in soil and make permanent burrows. 1.2.3 Endogenic The earthworms live within the soil surface and derive their nutrition from the organically rich soil they digest. (Reference by Govindhan 1998).

1.2 Composting Earthworms: 1.3.1. Identification of Edurilus eugenial (African Night Crawlers) The African night crawler can be a good composting worm, but is very sensitive to change in its environment. The entire contents of some worm have been known to move out in less than a day if the prevailing conditions are not suitable for them. These worms also perform much better in warmer climates and are not recommended for areas where the temperature falls below 100c. The other common name for this worm is the giant height crawler. (Reference by Ronald and Download 1977) and (Earthworms and R.W.Scins and B.M.Gerard page no 146). 1.3.2 Morphology of Edurilus eugenial: Length (32) 90 140 (185) mm, diameter 5 -8 mm. segment number 145 196 (211), setal closely paired. (litellum annular between segments (XIII, XIV XVIII) less strongly developed ventrally. Male and prostatic pores paired, combined, large immediately in front of furrow 17/18 between setal lines above. Penial setal absent. Female and spermathecal pores paired, combined proderately sized transverse slits are centred at or just median to setal lines. Presetal on segment XIV, gizzard IN segment V, two midventral sub oesophagael pouches in segments X and XI with paired stalks. The calciferous glands are laterodorsal in segment XII.

Tests holandric is paired in segment X and XI. Paired ovaries is in segment XIII with the oviducts and lor antal ends of the oviducts modified to form (paired) spermathacae (R.W.sims and BMN. Gerard page No:146) Vermiculture, derived from the Latin word vermis means involves the mass production of earthworms for the waste degradation and composting with vermicast production. Eathworms are a major sail fauna on earth, constituting 80 percent of the soil inverterbrate emaqulation in many ecosystem, especially in the tropical ecosystems. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle named them Intensive of Earth. There are about 3920 named species of earthworm so far reported worldwide. In India, so far 509 species referable to 67 genera and 10 families have been reported. (Ragiv K. Sinha, Sunil Heart, Sunitha Agarwal). 1.3 Vermicompost: Vermicompost a by product of earthworm mediated organic waste recycling, is rich in plant nutrients and growth promoting substances having shown to promote and sustain crop yields. Vermicompost is considered as in seperable component of sustainable farming. The ability of earthworm is to recycle organic wastes in to organic manure by biological degradation process is widely recognized. Various factor such as soil temperature, substrate moisture, waste substrate, besides stocking rate of worms(density) play a vital role in success of vermicompositing. The information on stocking rates of earthworms is necessary for effective recycling of organic residues in vermic composting . The present study was undertaken to determine the optimum introduction density of earthworms for recycling of crop wastes and the effect of density and waste substance on population growth of earthworms. (R.S.Giraddi) Vermicompositing is an eco-biotechnology process that transforms energy rich and complex organic substances into stabilized humuns like product of vermicompost. Concluding that in vermicompositing process incalculate, Earthworms maintains aerobic condition in the organic wastes, converts a portion of the organic material into warm biomass and respiration products and expel the remaining as partially stabilized product. Since the potential of some epigenic earthworm to recycle the organic waste material into value added products is well documented. The end product, vermic compost is considered as an excellent product. Since it is homogenous, has desirable aesthetics, has reduced level of contamination and tends to hold more

nutrients over long period without impacting the environment. Rapid urbanization regulates in an ever increasing accumulation of urban solid waste. In India, domestic waste is mostly of organic nature and contributes 70 80 % to the total solid urban waste. However, it can be used as a potential resource for the transformation from expensive disposal problem to stabilized vermicompost production for sustainable land restoration practices. (S.Suthar,S.Singh) Vermicompositing is the bio-oxidation on a stabilization of organic matter through the joint action of earthworms and microorganisms. Although earthworms are the main drive of the process by conditioning the substrate and altering its biological activity, the composition and activity of soil microbial communities are responsible for the biochemical communities are responsible for the biochemical degradation of the organic matters, largely determining the turnover progress. (Dominguez,2) All cells contain the fatty acids that can be extracted and exterified to form theFatty Acid Methyl Ester. When the FAMEs extracted from an organic matters sample are analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometer, the resulting profile of fatty acids constitutes a finger print of the microorganism in the sample. Microbial communities can be compared by extracting FAME from different sample and using multivariate statistical technique to analyze the differences. (Marta lores, Maria Gomez Brandin) Animal manures were collected in forms in vessels, for vermicompositing, we performed a two factorial experiment in plastic containers with each combination of manure, cow manure and earthworms species (Edrilus eugeniae). The animal and soil with dry leaf mixture another medium the savage species. Edrilus eugeniae inoculated in two medium. The gray were maintained at 300c and 90% relative humidity in a scientific incubation and after 1 month were removed and vermicompost were sampled for FAME analysis. Since earthworm species used in this study are epigenic with rapid got transit times, all the manures were completely processed at the end of the vermicompositing process. (Marta Lores, MariaGomez, Brandon) The concept of vermicompositing started from the knowledge that certain species of earthworm grow and consumes a wide range of organic residues very rapidly, converting them into vermicompost, a humus like soil building substrate in short time. Different varieties of earthworm have been recommended to be used in vermicompositing by various workers, such as

deep burrowing and surface dwelling and it has been established that the epigenic forms of earthworms are the most suitable form for vermicompositing, however inspite of various studies on vermicompost technology; very little scientific information has so far been available on the effect of depth substrate leap on vermicompost. This study was particularly carried out to evaluate the variation effect of depth of the solid waste materials as this will enable the optimization of the depth up to which the solid wastes can be leaped up to avoid reasons. (N.B.Singh, Dr. A.K.Khare) In the present day major environment like air, water, soil are getting polluted due to the various natural and anthropogenic activities like dumping of soil wastes without proper treatment, discharging wastes in to water bodies etc., more seriously, the dumping of wastes without proper treatment, proper supervision and control leads to fly breeding and other infectious diseases in the society. It is estimated about 1.0 to 1.1 Kg of solid waste is generated per day by a person in a well developed city. (V.Karthikeyan, G.L. Sathyamoorthy and , R.Murugesan). 1.4 Building Soil Fertility: Prior to implementation a farmers meet was organized by creating awareness on tha production and application of vermiculture as well as the vermicompositing as an enterprise. More than hundred farmers have applied vermicompost in their fields and are not saving up to fifty percent of chemical fertilizers, but have also got -10 15 % more yield, for example, a progressive farmer is producing vermicompost in bulk applying up to 50 60m per month for paddy and vegetable crops. According to the farmers, vermicompost is 4 5 times effective than the conventional compost. (Ninawe) 1.5 Looking in to Future: Mass rearing and manufacturing worm culture and tapping of organic wastes for their maintenance has good scope for developing it as a cottage industry. Thus the ill effect of farming reduces and use of fertilizers and pesticides reduces. (A.S.Ninawe)

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE R.S. GIRADD, Department of Agriculture Entomology University of Agriculture Sciences, Karnataka, India. A Field Experiment was conducting during 2005 to study of earthworm stocking rates on vermicompositing of two crop wastes. S.Suthar, S.Singh. Department of Zoology, J.N. Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, India. The Composting potential of two epigenic earthworms was studied in 2002 to breakdown the domestic waste under laboratory conditions, the experimental container with P.Samsibarius showed maximum mineralization and decomposition rate than that of P.Oxeavatus. Martha Loresa, Maria Gomez-Brandon-Domingo Decez-Diazh, Jorge Dominguezh. Study investigated the possibilities of finger printing different organic wates and the vermicompost produced by different each worms species. K.Karthikeyan, G.L.Sathyamoorthy and R.Murugasan, Civil Engineering, Thiagarajar Poly College, Salem, Tamilnadu, India. The study reveals that the market waste can be converted into bio-compost by adapting the vermicompositing technology using cow dung as inoculants in 1:1 substrate which will yield optimum macro nutrients value. The process will reduce from the waste in a short span of time. N.B.Singh, Dr.A.K.Khare, Dr.DS.Bhargava, S.Bhattacharya. The growing awareness about the vermicompositing technology is recycling different types of organicwastes, the effect of substrate depth on was studied. A.S.Ninawe, Director, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Block-2 The production of vermicompost, a valuable resource for improving soil fertility, vermicompost is becoming increasingly popular among farmers as a source of soil fertility and also a source of income generation.

R.S.Giraddi, K.P.Gundannavar, P.S.Tippannavar and N.D.Sunitha Department of agriculture sciences, Dharwad. Studies on comparable reproduction biology of earthworms, the result obtained in the study indicated that E.Guguenic is the prolific breeder ascompared to P.excavatus. Rajiv K.Singha Hercut, Sunitha Agarwal, Ravi Asadi, Emilio Carratero School of environment engineering, Griffitch University Nathar campus, Brishane, Australia The practice of vermiculture is atleast a century aid but it is now being received world wide with diverse ecological objectives such as waste management, soil detoxification and regeneration and sustainable agriculture. M.S.Kitturmath, R.S.Girraddi, B.Basvara-Department of Agriculture Entomology, University of Agriculture Science, Dharwad, India. Nutrient changes during earthworm, E.eugenic medicated of agro industrial wastes. Dr.C.Viswanathan, Dr.Ing.Josef Trankler Asian Institute of Technology, School of Environment, resource and development. as a eco tool in sustainable solid waste management. Albanell E.Plaixats, J.and Cabrero, T.(1988) chemical changes during Eisenia-foetida of sheep manure mixed with cotton industrial wastes. Biology & Fertility of soils, 6(3): 266-269. Castings of Eisenia foetida from sheep manure alone and mixed with cotton wastes were analyzed for their properties and chemical composition every 2 weeks for 3 months and compared with the same manures in the absence of earthworms. The results showed that earthworms accelerated the mineralization rate and converted the manures into casting with a higher nutritional value and degree of humanification. Allievi L.Citterio, B. and Ferrari.A(1987) of rabbit manure: Modifications of microflora. Comfort Production, Quality and use.

In order to study the modification of microflora during the authors first determining the number of microorganisms of the various groups, during and after the process carried out an rabbit manure, on full scale, in a small earthworm farm, comparing it with those resulting from a parallel spontaneous maturation process of the same material. During the preliminary maturation process, before in order to render the material tolerable for earthworms, important changes, such as decrease in counts, were observed. The substantial decrease of fecal bacteria almost totally limited to this stage is particularly important. Applehof, M.Ed-1981 workshop on the role of Earthworm in the stabilization of organic residues Vol.1 proceedings. Beech Leaf Press: Kalamazoo, Michigan. Comment: Proceedings of a workshop Athanasopoulos, N.1993 use of earthworm biotechnology for the management of anaerobically stabilized effluents of dried vine fruit industry. Biotechnology Letters,15(12) : 1251 1286. Anaerobically stabilized effluents of dried vine fruit industry were successfully treated in earthworm filters. The species L.rubelus was used. At COD loadings of up to 0.2 Kg COD/m-2d the reactors responded well for an operation period of 15months when experiments ceased. COD removal was 95% for loadings of 0.10 and 0.15 Kg COD/m-2d. earthworm biomass seems to be in its upper bearing capacity of approximately 2 Kglm-2 and did not increase seriously with time. Temperature change did not have any counter effect on the process. Balasubramanian P.R. and Bai R Kasturi, 1995, Recycling of cattle dung, biogas planteffluent and water hyacinth in vermiculture. Bioresource Technology. The efficiency of recycling cattle dung, anaerobically digested cattle dung (biogas plant effluent) and water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipesl by culture of the earthworm Megascolex sp. Was studied. The growth of the earthworms was increased by 156, 148 and 119% in soil supplemented with water hyacinth, cattle dung and biogas plant effluent respectively. The growth rate of the earthworms was increased significantly by raw cattle dung and water hyacinth over that by biodigested slurry. Benitez E.Nogales, R.Elvira, C.Masciandaro, G. Ceccanti B, 1999

Enzyme and Earthworm activities during Environment Quality 28(4) : 1099-1104.

of carbaryl-treated sewage sludge. Journal of

The feasibility of pesticide contaminated refuses was evaluated. A mixture os sewage sludges was amended, at a ratio of 1:1 (v/v), with a garden refuse artificially contaminated with carbaryl, a carbamate insecticide commonly used in farming and gardening. Ten clitellated earthworms were then placed in this material. We determined the evolution of earthworm biomass and changes in enzyme activities during an 18wk period of sewage sludge . The carbaryl produced a chronically toxic effect on the eart, measured by weight gain and sexual maturity. The growth was slower in the presence of pesticides. In addition, carbaryl treatments showed inhibited enzyme activity in the first week of the process, slowing down organic matter biodegradation. The dynamics of the process can be followed by combining easily detectable parameter related related to the global microbial metabolism: a traditional chemical and biochemical index, were calculated. In particular, this last seemed more useful in characterizing the process even a longer maturation time (10-18wk). Benitez E.Nogales, R.Elvira C.Masciandaro, G.and ceccanti B.1999, enzyme activities as indicators of the stabilization of sewage sludges composting with Eisenia foetida. Bioresources Technology, 67(3):297-303. Evolution of earthworm biomass and changes in enzymes activities during 18weeks of sewage sludge were studied. With time, hydrolase ( beta-glucosidase, urease, BAA-hydrolysing protease and phosphatase) and dehydrogenase (DH-ase) activities decreased as available organic compounds ( water soluble carbon) decreased. A high correlation among all enzymes activities and between each activity and the water soluble carbon (WSC) led to the conclusion that both hydrolytic and dehydrogenase activities could be feasible indicators of the state and evolution of the organic matter. The potential metabolic index (DH - ase/\ NSC) enabled distinguishing between hydrolytic and maturation phases in a sewage sludge process. Butt, K.R. (1933) Utilisation of solid paper-mill sludge and spent brewery yeast as a feed for soil-dwelling earthworms. Bioresource Technology, 44:105 107. The potential for using paper-mill sludge enhanced with spent yeast from the brewing industry as feedstock for soil-dwelling earthworms was investigated. Using one such feed

comprising a 66:1 mixture, by mass, of wet paper waste and dry yeast extract, the lobworm (Lumbricus terrestris) was grown from the hatching stage (50 mg) to maturity (3 4g) within 90 d, with an acceptability level of mortality. These large earthworms have potential value as agents in soil amelioration projects if they can be encouraged by using the type of superior feed described. Carlie, W.R. and Wilson, D.P. (1993) Microbial activity in media containing wormworked duck waste. Acta-Horticulture, 342:1-13. Enhanced growth of horticulture species was observed in media containing worm worked duck waste as a nutrient source. This enhanced growth could be due to the release of nutrients by microbial activity in the media. Microbial activity was monitored in peat media containing varying proportions of WWDW. Activity was primarily measured by determination of CO 2 evolution from media. Microbial activity was greater in media containing WWDW than in media containing inorganic sources of nutrients, and was directly proportional to the amount of WWDW in the media. No direct correlation was evident between microbial activity and the availability of major plant nutrients in WWDW amended media, although available nitraennitrogen levels increased slightly during storage. Ceccanti, B. and Masciandaro, G. (1999) Researches study of municipal and papermill sludges. Biocycle, 40 (6): 71 72. To evaluate the potential of as an economical/environmental alternative in sludge

management, pilot and field scale tests were conducted at the CNR Instituto per la Chimica del Terreno in Pisa, Italy. The work dealt with feasibility of transforming problematic wastes through the action of worms and the agronomic value of the vermicompost. The vermicompost produced is a high quality humic product to be used in the field as a soil organic amendment. At the present time, an industrial plant to process sludges through earthworms is being planned by a company in Lucca, Tuscany in central Italy. Cegarra, J. Fernandez, F.M. Tercero, and Roig, A. (1994) Effects of Zoologischen Museum and Institut, 89 (SUPPL. 2): 159 167. on some

components of organic wastes: Preliminary results. Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen

Rabbit msnure (M), M with 50% of city refuse (M + CR) and M with 10% of ferric phosphate (M + Ph) were left to transform with and without worms (W) (Eisenia foetida). Ash, Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metal contents along with conductivity and pH were determined every month, (T). During the first three months, the W-effect was significant on ash for M + CR and C + Ph, on total organic carbon for M and M + Ph, on 0.1 N KOH extractable carbon (C-ex) and hydro soluble carbon (Ch) for M, on fulvic acid carbon (C-fa) for M + CR, on phosphorus for M + Ph and on pH for M + CR. The T-effect was also significant on all the parameters studied, except on C-ex for M and M + Ph and on C-fa for M + Ph. The W x T effect was significant on ash and C-fa for M + CR, on C-t and nitrogen for M, on pH for M and M + CR and on the conductivity also for M + CR and M + Ph. Solubility of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) in hydro soluble fractions was lower, in general terms, than in 0.1 N KOH extractable fractions and fulvic acids. No very important changes in the solubility were observed along the time. A slight increase of polymerization degree of humic substances along with a decrease of ammonium-N and an increase of nitric-N were also detected during the process. Chan, P.L.S. and Griffiths, D.A.(1998) The Wastes, 24:57-69. This paper reports the results of a study of of pre-treated pig manure in Hong Kong using the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Pig manure was first composted, supplemented with 4% calcium sulphate and then washed before feeding to worms. Worms feed untreated pig manure died within 24hrs. Worms castings had a stimulating effect on the growth of Glycine max (soybean), with an increase in root length, Lateral root number, shoot length, and inter nodal length of seedling palnts. Local fish feed on boiled worm biomass tissue extracted with iso proponal, ethanol or isobutanol did not die. The boiling and solvent extraction are necessary to enhance the storage of worms. The results showed that fecund earthworm species such as Eisenia foetida are suitable agents for bio recycling pre treated pig manure; the worms grow rapidly and produce a humus rich worm cast which is odor free. Edwards, CA. (1988) Breakdown of animal, vegetable and industrial organic wastes by earthworms. In Earthworms in Waste and Environmental Management (eds, CA. Edwards & E.F.Neuhauser). Academic Publishing: The Hague, The Netherlands. of pre-treated pig manure. Biological

Comment: summary research undertaken at Rothamstead Experimental Research Station, U.K. with particular attention to the suitability of Eisenia {etida to treat a range of agricultural wastes and some vegetable wastes. The source of these wastes include: pig; cattle; horse; chicken; duck; turkey; rabbit; mushroom cornpost; processed potato waste; spent brewery yeast; and , paper pulp. An overview of optimum environmental conditions for this species is presented. Some data on growth, reproduction and population dynamics is presented. Touches on a comparison between systems for breeding earthworms. Edwards, CA. (1998) The use of earthworms in the breakdown and management of organic wastes. In Earthworm Ecology (ed., CA. Edwards). St. Lucie Press: Boca Raton, Florida. Comment: Key note paper presented at ISEE 5. An updated overview into the state of play for vermiculture, and in particular, with much reference to Edwards earlier work. Edwards, CA., Burrows, I., Fletcher, K.E. and Jones, B.A. (1985) The use of earthworms for composting farm wastes. In Composting of Agricultural and Other Wastes (ed. J.K.R. Gasser). Elsevier Publications: Amsterdam. Comment: An earlier study with more detailed data than the 1988 overview, above. Elvira, c., Goicoehea, M., Sampedro, L., Mato, S., and Nogales, R. (1996b) Bioconversion of solid paper-pulp mill, sludge by earthworms. Bioresource Technology, 57: 173-177. Bioconversion of solid paper-pulp mill sludges and primary sewage sludge for 40 days at a ratio of 3:1 dw.dw was studied in containers with and without earthworms (Eisenia Andrei). This mixture was a suitable medium for optimum growth and reproduction of earthworms. Regardless of the presence of earthworms, degradation occurred during the bioconversion period, but the presence of earthworms accelerated the mineralization of organic matter, favored the breakdown of structural polysaccharides and increased the humification rate. Consequently, the C!N ratio and the degree of extractability of heavy metals were lower in the worm-worked end product.

Elviara, c., Sampedro, L., Dominguez, J. and Mato. S. (1997) Vermicompositing of waste water sludge from paper-pulp industry with nitrogen rich materials. Soil-Biology and Biochemistry, 29 (3/4):759-762. The of pulp mill sludge mixed with sewage sludge, pig slurry and poultry slurry at different ratio was studied. Eisenia Andrei (Bouche, 1972) showed high growth rates and high mortalities in all the mixtures considered. Elvira, c., Sampedro, L., Benitez, E. and Nogales, R, (1998) of sludge paper mill and dairy industries with Eisenia Andrei: a pilot-scale study. Bioresource Technology, 63:205-211. We studied with Eisenia Andrei of sludges from a paper mill mixed with cattle manure and in a six month pilot-scale experiment. Initially, a small-scale laboratory experiment was carried out to determine the growth and reproduction rates of earthworms in the different substrates tested. In the pilot-scale experiment, the number of earthworms increased between 22 and 36- fold and total biomass increased between 2.2 and 3.9 fold. The vermicomposts were rich in nitrogen and phosphorus and had good structure, low levels of heavy metals, low conductivity, high humic acid contents and good stability and maturity. These sludges could be potentially useful raw substrates in larger commercial systems, and would reduce the cost related with exclusive use of different types of farm wastes as feed for earthworms. Frederickson, J., Butt, K.R., Morris, R.M. and Daniel, C. (1997) Combining vermiculture with traditional green waste composting systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 29 (3/4):725 730. Freshly- shredded green waste (yard waste) was composted for 16 weeks using a mechanically turned windrow system. The rate of organic matter stabilization was determined by measuring the reduction in the volatile solids contents of the waste. Samples of the fresh material were also vermicomposted using Eisenia Andrei (Bouche) and rates of growth and reproduction obtained which were comparable to published rates for other wastes. Vermicompositing for 8 weeks produced a material with a significantly lower volatile solids content compared for composting for a similar period (p < 0.01)., A Combined composting and system was

investigated by extracting partially composted samples from the compost windrow every 2

weeks and feeding to E.andrei. Growth and reproduction were found to be positively correlated to the volatile solids contents of the waste (p < 0.01). Vermicompositing was partially composted waste (2 weeks), for a further 6 weeks, reduced volatile solids content significantly more than for composting fresh waste for 8 weeks (p < 0.001). It is concluded that E.andrei is capable for attaining good rates of growth and reproduction in fresh green waste and that can result in a more stable material (lower volatile solids content) compared to composting. Combining with existing composting operations can also accelerate stabilization compared to composting alone. The duration of pre-composting will determine the subsequent rate of growth and reproduction of E.andrei. To ensure that the systems operates at maximum efficiency, pre-composting should be kept to a minimum, consistent with affective sanitization of the waste. Gandhi, M., Sangwan, V., Kapoor, K.K. and Dilbaghi, N. (1997) composting of household wastes with and without earthworms. Environment and Ecology, 15 (2): 432 434. The composting of household waste by a traditional Indian composting procedure was compared to in order to select a more efficient method of composting. Vermicompositing converted household waste in to compost within 30 days, narrowed the C/N ratio and retained more N than traditional methods. Greenscene, (no date) Report on the Pachetts Pies Trial. Unpublished report foe the southern Sydney Waste Board, NSW. Greenscene Australia: Avalon, NSW. Comment: Results of an unsuccessful Australia. Gunathilagaraj, K and Ravignanam, T. (1996) of sericulture wastes. Madras Agricultural Journal, 83 (7):455 457. of sericulture wastes was studied in the laboratory during in the 1995 using Perionyx excavates. increased the N content of mulberry [Morus indica] leaf litter and silkworm larval litter. P Content was increased in cow dung and sericulture wastes by . It also enhanced the K, Mn, Zn and Fe content of the mulberry leaf litter. Hiami, J. and Huhta, V. (1986) Capacity of various organic residues to support adequate earthworm biomass for . Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2:23 27. trial on fatty pork pie pastries, in Sydney

The potential of different kinds and combinations of wastes to support the biomass of Eisenia fetida capable of processing a given amount of waste in a period of ca. 1 month was tested. Mixed miscellaneous wastes and activated sewage sludge mixed with or embedded in sieved pine bark was capable of maintaining the required biomass for a long period. Wastes were converted in to odourless casings of good physical structure, provided that a sufficient population was present from the beginning and fresh waste was added regularly. A horizontally working worm bed compost was designed to replace the usual Load on top arrangement. Haimi, J. and Huhta, V. (1988) Comparison of composts produced from identical wastes by vermistabilisation and conventional composting. Pedobiologia, 30: 137 144. The aim of the study was to make out what is the effect of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Sav.) s.1. on decomposing organic residues, (1) when identical waste materials were kept with and without worms at room temperature , and (2) when identical materials were stabilized with worms at room temperature, or composted outdoors with conventional methods. Several characters of the resulting composts were measured. Miscellaneous wastes or sewage sludge with pine bark were used as test materials. CO2 production in fresh sludge + bark was monitored. Provided the initial biomass was sufficient, worms were able to process the waste in a period of one month, producing a homogenous mass of castings. A worm less sludge + bark mixture in the laboratory remained in a compact clump, while a well managed garden compost was considered humidified and aerated in three months. Physical and chemical analysis revealed only minor differences between worm-worked and worm less wastes: thus vermicompost could be considered superior to ordinary compost only with regard to its physical structure. Hand, P., Hayes, W.A.Satchell, J.E. and Frankland,J.C(1988). The vermicompositing of cow slurry. In Earthworms in waste and Environmental Management (eds, CA.Edwards & E.F.Neuhauser). Academic publishing: The Hague, The Netherlands. The suitability of cow slurry as a substrate for vermicompositing by eisenia fetida was investigated. Particular attention was given to the effects of the earthworm on the decomposting and stabilization of the slurry, and to the interactions between E.fetida and the microflora of the substrate.

A comparision of two methods of vermicompositing showed that top-feeding of slurry was more efficient in promoting earthworm growth and cocoon production than the mixing of slurry with solid materials. Paper tissues waste was more effective as a bedding material than peat or soil. The presence of E.fetida increased the nitrate-nitrogen content of the substrate, but had no significant effects upon the other chemical and microbial constituents measured. Specific nutritional interactions were observed between E.fetida and micro-organisms. The earthworms were found to be feeding directly upon the cells of certain microorganisms. Other species were found to be toxic to E.fetida. the seeding of vermiculture beds with the bacterium acinetobacter calcoacetius stimulated earthworm growth and comsumption of the substrate. Hartenstein, R.(ed) (1978) Utilization Of Soil Organisms In Sludge Management. National Technology Information Service: Springfield, Virginia. Comment: Proceedings of a seminar, highlighting research into the use of compost worms for the treatment of sewage sludge. Lotzof, M.(1998) Successful biosolids benefication with Vermitechs large-scale Commercial vermiculture facility in Redlands. Waste disposal and Water management in Australia Sep/Oct : 3-13. The success of a large-scale commercial vermiculture facility that can process large quantities of waste weekly reported on in this article. The vermitech operation in Redlands, Queensland, has development a cost effective system that can consistently stabilize a large range of organic wastes on a large commercial scale. Mitchell, A.(1997) Production of Eisentia fetida and vermicompost from feed-lot cattle manure. Soil Biology and Biochemistry,29(3/4): 763-766. Significant reductions in total mass of feedlot cattle manure were obtained by the intensive activity of earthworms. The process yielded two products: residual vermicompost, and an increase in earthworm biomass. The most successful manure application was to a vertical

surface, and this resulted in a reduction of 30% of the initial manure(dry) mass and the production of live earthworm to 4.9% of the initial manure mass (dry weight). The increase in earthworm biomass represented extraction of respectively 7,18,7 and 2% of initial total carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus from the manure. The production of vermicompost from manure resulted in a pH shift toward neural, a reduction in electrical conductivity, large increase in oxidation potential, and significant reductions in water soluble chemical species, which constitute possible environment contaminants(A). Neuhauser, E.F.Loehr, R.C and Malecki, M.R.(1988). The potential of earthworms for managing sewage sludge. In Earthworms in waste and Environmental Management (eds, C.A. Edwards & E.F.Neuhauser). Academic publishing: the Hague, The Netherlands. Comment: Describes research engaged to identify the fundamental factors that effect the performance of the vermistabilisation process and determine design and management relationships for earthworms in managing the treatment of sewage sludge. This study utilized five composting work species: Eisenia(etida: dentrobaena Veneta: Eudrilus eugeniae: Perionyx excavates: and Perionyx Hawayana. E.) Etida had the highest reproductive rate, where reproduction and biomass increase are used to indicate suitability for sludge management. Nogales, R., Thompsin, R. Calmet, A.Benitez., E.Gomez, M. and Elvira, C(1998) Feasibility of vermicompositing residues from olive oil production obtained using two stage centrifugation. Journal of Environmental science & Health part toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering. 33(7): 1491 1506. A laboratory study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of using vermicompositing to stability the waste product-dry olive cake, for use as a soil amendment. Dry olive cake (C) is obtained from a new two stage centrifugation process used to extract olive oil from olives. Cattle manure (M) was examined as a comparison an as a co-compositing agent. Anaerobic sewage sludge (ANS) and aerobic sewage sludge (AES) were also assessed as co-composting agents. Different ratios of cake to co-composting agent.

3.MATERIAL METHODS The cow dung was procured from a local cowshed. It is one medium A and another medium red soil with sericulture is collected from the local area. Edrilus euganiac used in this study was obtained from Prof.Dr.M.N.Budhar, Agriculture regional research station, Paiyur, Krishnagiri, tamilnadu. The bed prepared from 30 * 25 * 4 cm3 my village are used for the study. The Earthworm edrilus cultured in both medium for 30days from Feb 23rd to march 23rd of 2009. (COWDUNG + REDSOIL + SERICULTURE WASTE A COWDUNG + REDSOIL)+POULTRY WASTE-B 3.1 IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE EARTHWORMS The following are the environment conditions which are vital and may affect the breeding, cocoon production and hatching at young earthworm. 3.1.1. TEMPERATURE In vermicompositing, the temperature are kept generally kept below 350C most worm species used in vermicompositing require moderate temperature from 10-350C while tolerance and reference vary from species temperature requirements are generally earthworms tolerate cold and moist conditions for better than hot and dry conditions. 3.1.2.MOISTURE Earthworm needs plenty of moisture for growth and survival. They need generally moisture in range 60-75%. The soil should not be wet else or it may create an anerobic conditions and drive the earthworm from the bed. It is very important to monitor the dry bedding material before putting them in the bin, so that the overall moisture level is well balanced. 3.1.3 pH The earthworms are pH sensitive and generally most of them survive at pH range from 4.5 to 9 the alternation of pH in the worm bed is due to the fragmentation of the organic matter under a series of chemical reactions. The soil pH is a major factor limiting the abundance and distribution of earthworms.

3.2 BEDDING MATERIAL It is important to provide earthworms E.eugenic with an envirionment that is close to the moisture content of the earthworm themselves available bedding material made from them things like tray, Newspaper, Cow dung, redsoil with dry leaves provide excellent moisture retention and preparation is relatively simple. 3.3 BEDDING PREPARATION 3.3.1 BED 1: MEDIUM A Some shredded and soaked newspaper (as a source of cellulose and to retain adequate moisture) needed the cow dung, making them all in the tray. Earthworm (E.Eugenic) are placed in the tray along with bedding material. The worms retract down I nthe bedding material layer to avoid the light for an hour to encourage the worms to move down into the new bedding material. 3.3.1 BED 2: MEDIUM B Some shredded and soaked newspaper (as a souce of cellulose and to retain adequate moisture) needed garden red soil and dry leaves are mixed well before making tham all in tray along with the earthworms are place in the tray is placed near the light for an hour to encourage the worms to move down to new bedding layer.