Assessment of Earthworm Species for Organic Waste Conversion to Vermicompost Yield and Quality

The three different species of earthworms namely Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavatus  and Lampito mauritti separately and their four combinations were evaluated in banana stem and cow dung as feeding materials for their multiplication, time taken for vermicomposting, yield and NPK content of vermicompost under subtropical environment in Nepal during January to October 2013. Among the 3 species Eisenia solely or in combination with other species showed consistently efficiecy in its reproduction, turnover of vermicompost, yield and NPK content of vermicompost. The multiplication ratio was higher (2.29) in Eisenia followed by Lampito (1.89).  Eisenia the shortest turnover time (106 days), higher production of vermicompost (5.1 Kg) and higher total NPK content (2.1, 1.8 and 1.9%) of vermicompost were found in Eisenia followed by Lampito. Perionyx was the least efficient in all aspects. Eisenia dominated the functioning of other two species. The recycling of degradable organic waste into bio-fertilizer through vermicomposting system would potentially address the shortage of organic manure, and substitute import of chemical fertilizers in Nepal. Key words: Vermicmpost; earthworm species; banana stem; cowdung