Optimum weather conditions for efficient vermicomposting of coconut leaves by Eudrilus sp. in coastal tract of Kerala
| dc.contributor.author | Murali Gopal | |
| dc.contributor.author | Alka Gupta | |
| dc.contributor.author | George V. Thomas | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2014-07-10T07:01:07Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2014-07-10T07:01:07Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2004-12 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Production of vermicompost from coconut leaves by earthworm as well as harvesting of earthworm biomass for further use have been developed by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) as one of the important alternate uses of coconut leaves. The vermicomposting by Eudrilus sp. normally takes three months for completion and is carried out through- out the year in cement tanks. A study was undertaken during 2002 - 2004 to record the influence of prevailing weather conditions on the efficiency of coconut leaf vermicomposting in the coastal tract of Kerala. It was observed that vermicompost turnover, Eudrilrts number and worm biomass harvested were negatively correlated to atmospheric temperature (-0.87. -0.74, -0.74 respective y, N=8) and positively to relative humidity (0.89, 0.79, 0.79 respectively). Rainfall, though did not have a direct correlatio 1, , softened the leaf tissues, which improved the vermicomposting efficiency. The optimum weather condi- tions for efficient vermicomposting of coconut leaves was observed to be 28 - 32 OC temperature (max.) and relative humidity (forenoon) of the range 90 - 95 %. Increase in temperature above 32 OC combined with fall in relative humidity below 90% reduced the efficiency of the process. The favourable weather conditions for effective verrnicomposting coincided with the monsoon and post-monsoon periods (June to Aug. and Sept. to Nov.) and the adverse conditions were summer and pre- monsoon periods (Dec. to Feb. and March to May). The income from the sale of earthworms and compost, for a farmer, was estimated to be high (approximately Rs. 6,5721- per unit area) during the conducive weather circumstances when compared to the unfavourable situation (Rs. 3.6851- per unit area). | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Journal of Plantation Crops 32(Suppl.) December 2004: 486-490 | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3976 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | Coconut leaves | en_US |
| dc.subject | Eudrilrrs sp. | en_US |
| dc.subject | weather | en_US |
| dc.subject | vermicomposting | en_US |
| dc.title | Optimum weather conditions for efficient vermicomposting of coconut leaves by Eudrilus sp. in coastal tract of Kerala | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |