Open AccessLeaf Litter Vermi Composting: Converting Waste to Resource
Author(s) -
Anamika Sharma,
Ashita Sharma,
Satveer Singh,
Adarsh Pal Vig,
Nagpal Avinash Kaur
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/889/1/012066
Subject(s) - vermicompost , compost , waste management , biodegradable waste , municipal solid waste , environmental science , nutrient cycle , organic matter , decomposer , nutrient , ecosystem , engineering , ecology , biology
Waste is not waste unless someone wastes it. Solid waste collection and its management is one of the burning issues of environment today in most nations worldwide. Although many methods have been proposed and implemented for proper solid waste disposal but some of these treatment and disposal strategies can cause severe environmental issues. The present manuscript intends to give an overview of studies on use of garden leaf litter waste around us as a substrate for vermicompost formation. Vermicomposting is aerobic process in which detritivorous earthworms play an important role in decomposition of organic waste converting it to nutrient rich medium for plant growth known as vermicompost. They do so by interacting with wide range of microorganisms and variety of other fauna acting as decomposers and this interaction results in stabilization of organic matter leading to alteration of its physical and biochemical properties. In recent years, vermicomposting technique has advanced considerably because it is eco-friendly, economically feasible and socially acceptable approach for waste management. In simple words, it is a way of converting waste to wealth. Furthermore, the end product of vermicomposting (Vermicast) - the nutrient rich compost is an efficient soil conditioner.