VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 176
UTILIZATION OF FLORAL WASTE IN VERMICOMPOSTING AT VARIOUS TEMPLES OF DHAR CITY
Simran Suryavanshi1, Gurudutt Sharma2
1Research Scholar, Devi Ahilya University, Indore (M.P)
2Professor & Head of Department, PMB Gujarati Science College, Indore (M.P)
Abstract - Flowers are an important part of worship in temples of India. After worship, a huge number of flowers becomes waste. It generates pollution around the temples.
Vermicomposting is used as an ecofriendly method to manage the floral waste. The floral waste was collected from around 10 temples of Dhar city and was utilized in the process of vermicomposting. Factors like moisture content, temperature are considered very important during entire period. Earthworm species Eisenia fetida was used to prepare vermicompost.
Cow dung and floral waste were taken in a ratio of 30:70. Portable, UV stabilized, ecofriendly High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) Vermi beds were used for floral waste vermicomposting. Physico-chemical analysis of matured vermicompost was obtained as mentioned in Fertilizer Control Order,1985. The utilization of floral waste into vermicomposting resulted in an ecofriendly method of floral waste management. It was cost effective method and resulted as a source of income. Vermicompost can be sold at a rate of 10 rupees per kilogram.
Keywords: Vermicomposting, Earthworm, Floral waste, Eisenia fetida.
1 INTRODUCTION
India is a religious country. There are about 2 million temples in India. Nearly 20 million tons of floral waste is generated every day from various sectors including temples. This floral waste increases pollution of water, air, and land. The floral waste is organic in nature.
The organic nature of these wastes offers various biological management options such as vermicomposting instead of disposal to landfill sites, open dumping or any other environmentally risky waste management alternatives. (Sangwan et al 2002, Aalok et al 2008, Adhikary et al 2012). Vermicomposting is the process of conversion of organic wastes into finely degraded peat like substances using earthworms. Earthworm species convert this into better product and provide solution to the problem of organic waste degradation (Nagavallemma et al., 2006). There are about 40 temples in Dhar city and a lot of floral waste is generated around the temples which pollutes lake, ponds, other water resources and land near the temples. Vermicompost is a bio fertilizer enriched with all beneficial soil microbes and contains plant nutrients like N, P and K. It is a sustainable, cost effective, and ecological technology for efficient treatment of biodegradable wastes, and is thus widely adopted to recycle hazardous and worthless organic wastes into safe and valuable products (Garg et al. 2006). In this process, energy rich and complex organic substances have been bio-oxidized and transformed into stabilized products by combined action of earthworms and microorganisms (Edward et al, 1992). Vermicompost technology can be successfully applied in temples as a solid waste management strategy with flower as the major organic waste (Nisha,2016).
2 MATERIALS AND METHODS
A survey was done about the number of temples in Dhar. It was found that there are approximately 40 temples in Dhar. A regular visit to 10 selected temples was done for collecting primary data. A huge number of flowers are dumped as waste after worshiping.
This Floral waste was collected and used in vermicomposting. Physico-chemical analysis was done following Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) standards,1985.
2.1 Vermicomposting
2.1.1 Collection and Segregation of floral waste
The Floral Waste was collected from temples and non- biodegradable waste was removed from it. Only biodegradable waste such as flowers, leaves, coconut waste were segregated and shredded in small pieces.
VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 177 2.2 Pre- Composting
The Segregated floral waste was then air dried for 3 days. The air-dried sample was then subjected to pre-composting for 8 days.
2.3 Collection of Cow dung
Cow dung was used as inoculant ( Adegunloye et. al 2007). Cow dung was collected from Lakshmi Gaushala, Dhar.
2.4 Experimental animal - Earthworm
Earthworm species Eisenia fetida was selected for vermicomposting. It was purchased from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhar.
2.5 High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) Vermi bed
HPDE Vermi beds of size 12×4×2 was been set up at the backyard of temple. It is light weight, UV stabilized and water proof. It was supported with bamboo. Green shade was used for shading.
2.6 Experimental Design
For vermicomposting (VC), Cow dung and floral waste were mixed in 30:70 proportion. Each vermibed consists of 30% cow dung + 70% Floral waste + Earthworm (Eisenia fetida).
Alternate layers of Floral waste and cow dung are placed in vermi bed. This mixture was left for pre-composting. The moisture was maintained to 70 % for pre- composting.
After 10 days of pre-composting, adult Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were released in the HDPE Vermi bed at the rate of 2.6 kg worms per square meter. Water was sprinkled to maintain moisture content up to 70% throughout the process of vermicomposting. Watering was stopped on 45th day when the Vermicompost seems to be ready notified by a dark brown layer. The prepared vermicompost was sun dried for 3 days. After drying up to 20%, the vermicompost was sieved through 4.0 mm sieve tube. The earthworm was removed manually by hand sorting. The ready vermicompost was air dried by spreading in layers at floor.
Total weight and ime taken to prepare vermicompost is given in table 1 2.7 Physico-chemical analysis of vermicompost
The matured vermicompost sample of about 1 kg was collected in a polybag for Physico- chemical analysis according to Fertilizer Control Order (FCO,1985) parameters for vermicompost testing.
FCO standards are given in Table 2.
Physico-chemical analysis of prepared vermicompost (VC) is given in Table 3.
The Electrical Conductivity (EC), although this parameter is not incorporated in the FCO standard, the FCO standard schedule in city compost has been specified to be 4.0 ds/m. Estimation of total carbon was done following FCO standard (table 2). Estimation of total nitrogen was done as mentioned under Schedule – II, Part-B, 3 (v) of FCO,1985.
3 USE OF VERMICOMPOST
The vermicompost was used as bio fertilizer in plants of temple.
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the present study the prepared vermicompost appeared dark brown which indicated that the floral waste has decomposed successfully, as the earthworms consume the floral waste very rapidly. (Lakshmi Prabha et al, 2014). The dark brown color of test sample is similar with the FCO standard (Table 2) for the required color of vermicompost. There was no foul smell during the process of vermicomposting because of the oxygen rich hemoglobin circulation through earthworm’s skin. (Jadhav et al, 2013). More than 90% of the prepared vermicompost passed through 4.0mm sieve tube. (FCO, 1985). The moisture was maintained at 70% by regular sprinkling of water. In summer seasons there was much fluctuation noted in moisture content. Similarly, the temperature was maintained below
VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 178
34°C as the maximum temperature which earthworms can survive is below 35°C. (Taiwo and Oso ,2004). The study showed high bulk density (Table 2) because the porosity was increased. (Bhargava et al,1993). The bulk density of test sample was 0.88 g/cm3 (Table 3).
The pH value of tested sample was found to be 6.9, which was nearly neutral (FCO standard). The Electrical Conductivity (EC) was determined in a compost water sample and was noted to 3 34 dsm-1. The increase in Organic carbon was found which is beneficial for growth and productivity for plants (Nelson and Sommers 1982). The availability of Nitrogen was found significant due to presence of nitrogen fixing bacteria. (Parmelle et al, 1988, Tiwari et al, 1989). In the tested sample C/N ratio was found significant. The loss of carbon through microbial respiration lowered the C/N ratio. (Dash and Senapati 1986). In the test sample an average amount of phosphorus was present as P2O5 in worm’s Verm cast’s total potassium (K2O) was found quite high as compared to FCO standard, it was in good amount (Table 3). (Mackay et al 1982).
5 CONCLUSION
The present study proved that the vermicompost prepared with the utilization of floral waste with cow dung at 70:30 is a standard vermicompost. It not only helped in managing the temple’s floral waste but also proved as an example of best out of waste. It is cost effective. Temple floral waste can be successfully utilized in vermicomposting and results in a high value vermicompost for the use in plants as an organic fertilizer.
REFERENCES
1. Aalok, A., Tripathi, A. K., & Soni, P. (2008). Vermicomposting: A better option for Organic Solid Waste Management. Journal of Human Ecology, 24(1), 59–64. doi:10.1080/09709274.2008.11906100
2. Adegunloye, D. V., Adetuyi, F. C., Akinyosoye, F. A., & Doyeni, M. O. (2007). Microbial analysis of compost using Cow dung as booster. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 6(5), 506–510. doi:10.3923/pjn.2007.506.510 3. Adi, A. J., & Noor, Z. M. (2009). Waste recycling: Utilization of coffee grounds and kitchen waste in
vermicomposting. Bioresource Technology, 100(2), 1027–1030. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.024 4. Adhikary, S. (2012). Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: A review. Agricultural Sciences, 3,905-917
doi:10.4236/as.2012.37110.
5. Arancon, N. Q., Edwards, C. A., Babenko, A., Cannon, J., Galvis, P., & Metzger, J. D. (2008). Influences of vermicompost, produced by earthworms and microorganisms from cattle manure, food waste and paper waste, on the germination, growth and flowering of petunias in the Greenhouse. Applied Soil Ecology, 39(1), 91–99. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2007.11.010
6. Bansal, S., & Kapoor, K. K. (2000). Vermicomposting of crop residues and cattle dung with Eisenia foetida.
Bioresource Technology, 73(2), 95–98. doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(99)00173-x
7. Benítez, E., & Nogales, R. (1998). Vermicomposting of different types of waste using Eisenia foetida, a comparative study, Bioresour Technol. Bioresource Technology, 63(3), 205–211. doi:10.1016/s0960- 8524(97)00145-4
8. Bio fertilizers and Organic Fertilizers in Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985
9. Bhargava, B.S. & Raghupathi, H.B. (2001). Analysis of plant material for macro- and micro-nutrients.
Methods of Analysis of Soils, Plants, Waters and Fertilizers. 49-82
10. Dash, M. C., and Senapati, B. K.,1986. Vermi technology, an option for organic wastes management in India,in Verms and vermicomposting, Eds., pp. 157–172, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Orissa, India.
11. Dominguez, J., & Gmez-Brand, M. (2012). Vermicomposting: Composting with earthworms to recycle organic wastes. Management of Organic Waste. doi:10.5772/33874
12. Domínguez, J., Edwards, C. A., & Webster, M. (2000). Vermicomposting of sewage sludge: Effect of bulking materials on the growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia Andrei. Pedobiologia, 44(1), 24–32.
doi:10.1078/s0031-4056(04)70025-6
13. Edwards, Clive A., & Bater, J. E. (1992). The use of earthworms in environmental management. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 24(12), 1683–1689. doi:10.1016/0038-0717(92)90170-3
14. Elvira, C., Sampedro, L., Benítez, E., & Nogales, R. (1998). Vermicomposting of sludges from paper mill and dairy industries with Eisenia Andrei: A pilot-scale study. Bioresource Technology, 63(3), 205–211.
doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(97)00145-4
15. Garg, P., Gupta, A., & Satya, S. (2006). Vermicomposting of different types of waste using Eisenia foetida: a comparative study. Bioresource technology, 97(3),391–395.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech. 2005.03.009 16. Jain, N. (2016). Waste management of temple floral offerings by vermicomposting and its effect on soil and
plant growth. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research, 2(7), 89-94.
17. Nagavallemma, K. P., Wani S. P., Stephane Lacroix, Padmaja V. V., Vineela C., Babu Rao M and Sahrawat K. L., (2000). Vermicomposting: recycling wastes into valuable organic fertilizer, Int. Crop. Res. Insti. Semi- Arid Trop., 2(1), 1-20.
18. Nelson, D.W.,Sommers,L.E.,(1982). Total carbon and organic carbon and organic matter. In: Page, AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds). Method of Soil Analysis. Am.Soc. Agron. Madison.539-579.
19. Mackay, A.D., Syers, J.K., Springett, J.A., Gregg, P.E.H. 1982. Plant Availability of Phosphorus in Superphosphate and a Phosphate Rock as Influenced by Earthworms. Soil Biol. Biochem. 14, 281-287.
VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 179
20. Rout, R. N., & Jena, B. (2018). Indian Temple Flower Waste Utilization and sustainable management.
Journal of Advance Nanobiotechnology, 2(4), 21–27. doi:10.28921/jan.2018.02.23
21. Parmelle, R.W., Crossley, D.A.Jr.1988 Earthworm Production and Role in the Nitrogen Cycle of a No-Tillage Agro-Ecosystem on the Georgia Piedmont Pedobiologia.32,353-361.
22. Sampedro, L., Benítez, E., & Nogales, R. (1998). Vermicomposting of different types of waste using Eisenia foetida, a comparative study, Bioresour Techno. Bioresource Technology, 63(3), 205–211.
doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(97)00145-4
23. Sangwan, P., Kaushik, C.P., Garg V.K., (2002). Vermicomposting of sugar industry waste (press mud) mixed with cow dung employing an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida. Wast. Manag. Res. 28(1):71-75.
24. Sharma K, Garg VK (2019) Vermicomposting of waste: a zero-waste approach for waste management. In:
Taherzadeh MJ, Bolton K, Wong J, Pandey ZWA (eds) Sustainable resources recovery and zero waste approaches. Elsevier, pp 133–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64200-4.00010-4
25. Suthar, S. (2006). Potential utilization of guar gum industrial waste in vermicompost production.
Bioresource technology, 97(18), 2474-2477.
26. Tiwari, Subhash & Tiwari, B. & Mishra, R. (1989). Microbial populations, enzyme activities and nitrogen- phosphorus-potassium enrichment in earthworm casts and in the surrounding soil of a pineapple plantation. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 8. 178-182. 10.1007/BF00257763.
27. Tiwari, P., & Juneja, S. K. (2016). Management of floral waste generated from temples of Jaipur City through vermicomposting. International Journal of Environment, 5(1), 1–13. doi:10.3126/ije. v5i1.14561 28. Vodounnou, D., Kpogue, D., Tossavi, C., Mennsah, G., & Fiogbe, E. (2016). Effect of animal waste and
vegetable compost on production and growth of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) during vermiculture.
International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 5(1), 87–92. doi:10.1007/s40093-016- 0119-5
Table 1
Prepared Vermicompost
Table 2
Fertilizer Control Board Standards for Vermicompost:
VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 180 Table 3
Physico-chemical Analysis of Floral Waste Vermicompost (VC) and its comparison with standard parameters of vermicompost testing.
Fig.1. Segregation of Floral waste
VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 02, (IC-IMAF-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-II, January 2023 181
