20th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Comparison of waste eliminating abilities of two worm types
Michael S. Herron*, Robyn Neathery, and Amit Shrestha
Dr. Mark Campbell, Faculty Mentor
Vermicomposting is a viable way to utilize organic wastes and to make environmental friendly compost. The compost formed by this process is helpful to increase productivity of farm land or serve as a nutrient additive for house plants. To see common composting worms produced the best compost, we analyzed two earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eisenia hortensis. Among these types, it was proposed that the Eisenia fetida would make the best compost. Both species were kept in the same environment and given the same type of food for a period of 1.5 months. After 1.5 months, samples were collected and analyzed for nutrient and PH levels. The total amount of compost produced and the reproductive rates for each worm type were also taken into account. It was concluded that the Eisenia fetida created vermicompost that was richer phosphate than the Eisenia hortensis. Other indicators of good compost were not significantly different.
Keywords: vermicompost, organic waste, compost, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia hortensis, redworm, worm composting, vermiculture
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 6-3
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15 pm