suthar

Production of vermifertilizer from guar gum industrial wastesby using composting earthworm Perionyx sansibaricus (Perrier)

Surendra Suthar

Published online: 6 July 2007

� Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Abstract Efforts have been made to convert the guar gum

industrial waste into a value-added product, by employing a

new earthworm species for vermicomposting e.g. Perionyx

sansibaricus (Perrier) (Megascolecidae), under laboratory

conditions. Industrial lignocellulosic waste was amended

with other organic supplements (saw dust and cow dung);

and three types of vermibeds were prepared: guar gum

industrial waste + cow dung + saw dust in 40: 30: 30 ratio

(T1), guar gum industrial waste + cow dung + saw dust in

60: 20: 20 ratio (T2,), and guar gum industrial waste + cow

dung + saw dust in 75: 15: 10 ratio (T3). As compared to

initial concentrations, vermicomposts exhibited a decrease

in organic C content (5.0–11.3%) and C:N ratio (11.1–

24.4%) and an increase in total N (18.4–22.8%), available P

(39.7–92.4%), and exchangeable K (9.4–19.7%) contents,

after 150 days of vermicomposting. A vermicomposting

coefficient (VC) was used to compare of vermicomposting

with the experimental control (composting). P. sansibaricus

exhibited maximum value of mean individual live weight

(742.8 ± 21.1 mg), biomass gain (442.94 ± 21.8 mg),

growth rate (2.95 ± 0.15 mg day–1), cocoon numbers

(96.0 ± 5.1) and reproduction rate (cocoons worm–1 day–1)

(0.034 ± 0.001) in T2 treatment. In T3 maximum mortality

(30.0 ± 4.01 %) in earthworm population was observed.

Overall, T2 vermibed appeared as an ideal substrate to

manage guar gum industrial waste effectively. Vermicom-

posting can be proposed as a low-input basis technology to

convert industrial waste into value-added biofertilizer.

Keywords Earthworm � Vermicomposting � Perionyx

sansibaricus � Industrial waste � Cocoon � Cow dung �Saw dust

1 Introduction

Agriculture, food-processing, pulp and paper, or any cel-

lulose-based industry produces massive quantities of solid

and liquid waste materials. Disposal and environmental

friendly management of these industrial wastes has become

a serious global problem. The traditional disposal methods

such as open dumping and or/land filling practices of these

materials is not only increasingly expensive, but imprac-

tical as open space becomes limited. Therefore, in recent

years the focus has been to develop low input eco-friendly

technologies to manage industrial waste resources. Some

agro-industrial wastes contain a large amount of plant

nutrients. These materials can be utilized efficiently as soil

conditioner for sustainable soil fertility management by

converting the waste to a resource.

Some species of epigeic earthworms can live in decay-

ing organic waste materials and convert it to odor free, fine

particulate materials high in available nutrient (Marsh

et al., 2005; Suthar 2006; 2007a). Earthworm accelerates

the transformation of organic waste material into more

stabilized forms by aeration and bioturvation, by their

excreta and qualitative or quantitative influence upon the

telluric microflora (Vinceslas-Akpa and Loquest 1997).

The utility of epigeic earthworms for successful degrada-

tion of organic wastes is well documented for different

industries such as: paper and pulp (Elvira et al. 1997;

1998); dairy (Gratelly et al. 1996); sugar processing (Kale

1998; Reddy and Shantaram 2005); winery and distillery

(Nogales et al. 2005); wood and wood chips (Maboeta and

S. Suthar (&)

Environmental Biology Lab, Post Graduate Department

of Zoology, S.G.N. Khalsa (PG) College, Sri Ganganagar,

Rajasthan 335 001, India

e-mail: [email protected]

123

Environmentalist (2007) 27:329–335

DOI 10.1007/s10669-007-9032-9

van Rensburg 2003); textile mills (Kaushik and Garg 2004;

Garg and Kaushik 2005); oil (Benitez et al. 2002) and

power (fly ash) (Gupta et al. 2005). However, compared to

thermal composting, vermicomposting with earthworms

often produces a product with a lower mass, lower pro-

cessing time, humus content, phytotoxicity is less likely,

more N is released, fertilizer value is usually greater, and

an additional product (earthworms), which can have other

uses is produced (Lorimor et al. 2001). Therefore, vermi-

composting seems to be more appropriate and an efficient

technology to convert industrial waste to a valuable com-

munity resources at low input basis.

However, the composting efficiency and biology of only

a few epigeic earthworm species has been studied e.g.

Eisenia foetida (Maboeta and van Rensburg 2003; Kaushik

and Garg 2004; Gupta et al. 2005), E. andrei (Elvira et al.

1997, 1998; Nogales et al. 2005; Benitez et al. 2002) and

Eudrilus eugeniae (Kale 1998). Unfortunately, the poten-

tial of some commonly distributed tropical earthworms

for industrial waste degradation has not been explored.

Perionyx sansibaricus (Perrier) is an epigeic earthworm,

considered endemic to Indian soils, and commonly dis-

tributed in many natural soil ecosystems. Recently Suthar

(2007a) reported on the vermicomposting potential of this

species to address issue of waste generated from different

industries i.e. crop residues, animal dung from dairy,

household waste, municipal waste.

The guar gum is an agricultural based industrial product. It

is mainly acquired from a cereal plant i.e. Cyamposis tetrag-

onoloba Linn. There are more than 2000 guar gum industrial

units only in Rajasthan State, India producing guar gum

for use in pharmaceutical and chemical industries. These

guar gum industries are producing a great quantity of lingo-

cellulogic waste material, that could be transformed from an

expensive disposal problem to suitable vermistabilised humus

for food production and soil restoration.

The objectives of this study were, to test the potential

of a new earthworm species for vermicomposting i.e.

P. sansibaricus (Perrier) to manage industrial waste

resources and to establish an appropriate technology (ver-

mitechnolgy) to manage the lignocelluloses waste gener-

ated from a guar gum industry. Ultimately, we wanted to

produce vermicompost of high nutritive value, with a

sustainable population of earthworm.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Earthworm culture

The Perionyx sansibaricus (Perrier) (Oligochaeta, Megas-

colecidae) used in this study were collected from a

sewage sludge situated in Nehru garden, Jodhpur city,

India. Collected worms were brought to the laboratory in

plastic circular containers, and were cultured on partially

composted organic material (cow dung mixed with leaf

litter of Mangifera indica). When the population reached a

sufficient size (after one months), the earthworms were

used for experimentation.

2.2 Industrial waste and other supplement material

The industrial waste was collected from Rajasthan Guar gum

Ltd., RICCO Industrial Area, Jodhpur, India. It was collected

in large plastic containers and brought to the laboratory. The

main characteristics of guar gum industrial waste were: 7.10

pH, 454.46 g kg–1 organic C, 28.17 g kg–1 total N,

15.6 g kg–1 available P, 3.92 g kg–1 exchangeable K, and

16.2 C:N ratio. The excess moisture was removed by shade

drying for about 3 days. After shade drying, material was

dried at 60�C in hot air oven, chopped and sieved (<2 mm).

The Cow dung was obtained from Boranada Dairy Farm,

Ghanchi Colony, Jodhpur, India. The saw dust used was

collected from Jodhpur Timbers, RICCO industrial area,

Jodhpur, India. These materials were chopped and sieved and

shade dried prior to use in vermicomposting trials.

2.3 Vermicomposting experimental

Plastic circular containers (28 cm diameter and 30 cm in

depth) with pierced lids for aeration were used for labo-

ratory screening of guar gum industrial wastes. The guar

gum industrial waste was mixed with the supplements (saw

dust and cow dung) in different ratios to provide three

treatments (Table 1). The organic substrate served as

bedding as well as food for the earthworms. Experimental

beddings were kept in triplicate for each treatment, and

same another triplicate for each treatment without earth-

worms served as the experimental control. All beddings

were kept for 2 weeks prior to experimentation for thermal

stabilization, initiation of microbial degradation and soft-

ening of waste. Twenty 4-wk old clitellate, P. sansibaricus

(live weight of individual �300 mg) were collected from

the stock culture and released into different containers

containing 750 g (on dry weight basis) of substrate mate-

rial. The moisture level of containers was maintained about

65–70%, throughout the study period by periodic sprin-

kling of adequate quantity of tap water. To prevent mois-

ture loss, the experimental pots were covered with paddy

straw. Containers were placed in a humid and dark room at

a temperature 26.3 ± 0.39�C (average of the temperature

recorded during experimental duration ± SEm). Vermibeds

were analyzed for chemical changes (organic C, total N,

available P, exchangeable K and C:N ratio) after each

30 day interval up to 150 days. Different growth parame-

ters like earthworm biomass; total cocoon production and

330 Environmentalist (2007) 27:329–335

123

total mortality in different experimental containers were

measured at the same interval.

The vermicomposting coefficients for different chemical

parameters were calculated by following formula (Suthar 2006):

2.4 Chemical analysis

The chemical parameters of the bedding material (Table 2)

and vermicompost produced during experiment were ana-

lyzed by using standard methods. Organic carbon was

determined by the partially-oxidation method (Walkley and

Black 1934). Total Kjeldhal nitrogen was measure by

following method as described by Anderson and Ingram

(1993). Potassium was determined after extracting the

sample using ammonium acetate and analyzing of with a

Perkin-Elmer model 3110 double beam atomic absorption

spectrophotometer (AAS).

2.5 Statistical analysis

One-way ANOVA procedures were applied to the data to

determine significant differences. Duncan’s multiple-ran-

ged test was also performed to identify the homogeneous

type of the treatments for the various assessment variables.

These variables included chemical properties and earth-

worm growth parameters (earthworm weight gain, indi-

vidual growth rate, total cocoons numbers, cocoon

production rate, and total population mortality.

3 Results and discussions

3.1 Chemical changes during vermicomposting

As summarized in Table 3, the vermicomposting process

caused significant changes (P < 0.01) in the chemistry of

the three treatments, after 150 days of experimentation. As

compared to the initial values (Table 2), pH of the substrate

declined in the order 10.53% (T3) > 6.39% (T2) > 2.83%

(T1). As compared to control bedding vermicomposted

material showed about 664.9, 231.1 and 1383.1 % more

reduction in pH values of the T1, T2 and T3 treatment,

respectively. It is concluded that the shifting in pH could be

attributed to microbial decomposition during the process of

vermicomposting. Elvira et al. (1998) suggested that pro-

duction of CO2 and organic acids by microbial decompo-

sition during vermicomposting lowers the pH of substrate.

Similarly, Ndegwa et al. (2000) pointed out that shifting of

pH could be related to the mineralization of the nitrogen and

phosphorous into nitrites/nitrates and orthophosphates and

Table 1 Composition of experimental bedding

Treatment Treatment description Guar gum industrial

waste (g)

Cow dung

(g)

Saw dust

(g)

T1 GIWa (40%)d + CDb (30%) + SDc (30%) 300.0 225.0 225.0

T2 GIWa (60%)c + CDb (20%) + SD (20%) 450.0 150.0 150.0

T3 GIWa (75%)c + CDb (15%) + SD (10%) 562.5 112.5 75.0

a Guar gum industrial waste (GIW)b Cow dung (CD)c Saw dust (SD)d The figures in parentheses indicates the percent content in the initial substrate material

Table 2 Chemical composition (g kg–1) of different treatments (n = 3, mean ± SEm) used for experiment

Treatment pH Organic C Total N Available P Exchangeable K C:N ratio C:P ratio

T1* 8.12 ± 0.8 481.9 ± 1.1 15.4 ± 0.1 2.5 ± 0.0 11.5 ± 0.2 31.3 ± 0.1 192.0 ± 1.4

T1* 8.29 ± 0.2 463.3 ± 0.5 19.8 ± 0.1 2.6 ± 0.2 15.6 ± 0.4 23.4 ± 0.4 175.5 ± 1.2

T3* 8.45 ± 0.3 436.4 ± 0.8 20.1 ± 0.1 2.8 ± 0.2 18.6 ± 0.3 18.9 ± 0.1 154.6 ± 0.6

* Refer to Table 1, for explanation of treatments

VC ¼ Total increase=decrease in during vermicomposting ðtreatmentÞTotal increase=decrease in during composting ðcontrolÞ

Environmentalist (2007) 27:329–335 331

123

bioconversion of the organic material into intermediate

species of the organic acids. In T3 mortality of worms

occurred and highly contributed to the pH shift possibly due

to higher content of ammonium N. Earthworm tissues may

be efficient source of nitrogen when cells lyses.

Vermicomposting decreased organic C content in the

three treatments. Comparatively organic C loss (as com-

pared to the initial levels (Table 2)) was 11.3% in

T2 treatment, 10.42% in T1, and 4.98% in T3 treatments.

Vermicomposting efficiency of P. sansibaricus was also

evaluated by using a vermicomposting coefficient (VC).

VCcarbon was highest in T3 (Table 4). Vermicomposting

refers to the breakdown of organic matter by earthworm

and subsequent microbial degradation. Earthworm modify

substrate conditions, which consequently affects carbon

losses from substrates through microbial respiration in the

form of CO2 and even through mineralization of organic C.

Body fluids and excreta, secreted by earthworms, (e.g.

mucous, high concentration of organic matter, ammonium

and urea) promote microbial communities in vermicom-

posting sub-system. Earthworm activity significantly

decrease organic C levels in waste and accelerates waste

stabilization process (Suthar 2006, 2007a; Garg and

Kaushik 2004).

At the end of the experiment, the total N content in

vermicompost was higher than that in the initial material.

Comparatively the maximum increase in total N content

occurred in T3 (22.81%), followed by T1 (18.42%), and T2

treatment (22.81%) (Table 3). Vermicomposting coeffi-

cient for total N (VCnitrogen) was highest in T1 treatment

(Table 4). Earthworms enrich the vermibed with nitrogen

through excretory products, mucous, enzymes, and growth

stimulating hormones and even by decaying earthworm

tissue after their death. Studies revealed that decomposition

of organic material by earthworms accelerates the N min-

eralization process and subsequently changes the N profile

of the substrate (Elvira et al. 1997; Benitez et al. 2002;

Suthar 2007a). However, the greater concentration of total

N in T3 treatment was not related to decomposition or

nitrification activity. It was related more likely to the

higher earthworm mortality that enriched the bedding with

N content due to decaying earthworm tissue. In general,

earthworm contains about 60–70% (of dry mass) protein in

their body tissue, and this pool of N returned to the soil

upon mineralization. Satchell (1967) reported that over

70% of the N in the tissues of dead earthworm was min-

eralized in less than 20 days. However, decomposition

activities and nitrogen enrichment by earthworms also

depend upon the quality of the substrate material.

After vermicomposting, all vermibeds showed higher

concentrations of available P in end product. Available P

was highest in T2 treatment (92.42% increase) followed by

T1 (54.98%) and T3 (39.72%) (Table 3). According to LeeTa

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123

(1992) the passes of organic residue through the gut of

earthworm, results in phosphorous converted to forms,

which are more available to plants. The release of phos-

phorous in forms available to plants is mediated by phos-

phatages, which are produced in earthworm’s gut. Further

release of P may occur by P-solubilizing bacteria in casts.

Recently Suthar (2007a) reported about 36–115% incre-

ment in available P content, after inoculation of wastes

(some agriculture and municipal waste resources) with

earthworms. Earthworm gut flora provides enzymes

required for P metabolism. These enzymes release phos-

phorous form ingested waste material. However, the ver-

micomposting coefficient for phosphorous (VCphosphorous)

was highest in T2, which clearly indicates the suitability of

this industrial waste treatment for better recovery of plant

metabolites.

Potassium increase for different vermibeds was regis-

tered in the order: T2 (19.67%) > T1 (15.53%) > T3 treat-

ment (9.39%), after 150 days of vermicomposting

(Table 3). The vermicomposting coefficient for potassium

(VCpotassium) was highest in T2 (Table 4). It is clear that

plant nutrients in organic material are released by the

combined action of earthworm and microorganisms during

mineralization process, in vermicomposting system. Del-

gado et al. (1995) reported higher potassium content in

vermicompost produced from sewage sludge. The present

result is similar to those by Suthar (2007a), who reported

excellent increase in exchangeable content in vermicom-

post. The C:N ratio is considered as an important indicator

of compost maturity. In this study maximum decrease in

the value of C:N ratio was noted in T1 (24.35% decrease)

followed by T2 (23.59%), and T3 (11.08%). The C:N ratio

in end product reflects the decreasing of C and simulta-

neously enhancement of higher proportion of total N and

ionic protein content in the vermicompost. It is concluded

that in vermicomposting sub system, the loss of carbon as

carbon dioxide due to respiratory activities of earthworms

and associated microflora, and simultaneously increment in

N-content of substrate through earthworm’s activities (i.e.

production of mucus, enzymes and nitrogenous excre-

ments) lowers the C:N ratio of the substrate (Kale 1998;

Garg and Kaushik 2005; Suthar 2007b.

3.2 Earthworm growth, cocoon production

and mortality during experimentation

Vermicomposting is also considered in terms of production

patterns of earthworm biomass and numbers of cocoon.

Vermicomposting converts a portion of the organics matter

(OM) into worm biomass and respiration products, and

excrete some of the ingested on as partially stabilized

product i.e., vermicompost. For this study, mean individual

live weight (F = 85.92, P < 0.01), mean growth rate of an

individual (mg/day) (F = 93.75, P < 0.01), individual

biomass gain (F = 99.97, P < 0.01), total cocoon numbers

(42.24, P < 0.01), and reproduction rate (cocoon worm–1

day–1) (F = 17.39, P < 0.01) varied substantially among

different treatments. As summarized in Table 5, the live

weight (742.80 ± 21.1 mg) of earthworms as well as

growth rate (mg wt. worm day–1) 2.95 ± 0.15 were highest

in T2 treatment. P. sansibaricus exhibited highest weight

gain in T2 followed by T1 and T3 (Table 5). The weight

gain for individuals in T2 treatment was �45 and 84%

higher than for those in T1 and T3, respectively. Studies

revealed that the factors relating to the growth of earth-

worms may also be considered in terms of physiochemical

and nutrient characteristics of waste feed stocks (Kale

1998; Edwards et al. 1998; Suthar 2007b). Organic waste

palatability for earthworms is directly related to the

chemical nature of the waste material that consequently

Table 5 Individual biomass, mean growth rate and mortality in different treatments (n = 3, mean ± SEm)

Treatment Mean individual biomass (mg) Net weight gain

earthworm–1 (mg)

Mean growth

of individual

(mg day–1)

Total population

mortality (%)Start End

T1* 304.2 ± 2.7 610.8 ± 10.3b 306.6 ± 7.6b 2.0 ± 0.1b 16.7 ± 2.4b

T2* 299.9 ± 1.0 742.8 ± 21.1c 442.9 ± 21.8c 3.0 ± 0.2c 5.0 ± 4.1a

T3* 302.8 ± 3.0 546.0 ± 12.3a 241.2 ± 10.1a 1.7 ± 0.1a 30.0 ± 4.0c


Mean values followed by different letters are statistically different (ANOVA, Duncan multiple-ranged test; P < 0.05)

Table 4 Vermicomposting

coefficient (VC) for different

chemical parameters

* Refer to Table 1, for

explanation of treatments

Treatment VC Carbon VC Nitrogen VC Phosphorous VC Potassium VC C-to-N VC C-to-P

T1* 1.05 1.15 1.20 1.03 1.10 1.14

T2* 1.02 1.14 1.44 1.08 1.08 1.41

T3* 1.06 1.05 1.13 1.03 1.01 1.05


123

affects the earthworm growth and reproduction parameters.

Garg and Kaushik (2005) concluded that growth perfor-

mance of Eisenia foetida was related directly to the quality

of the feed stock. Numbers of cocoons produced during

vermicomposting varied significantly among the different

beddings. In T2 treatment the cocoon numbers for

P. sansibaricus (96.0 ± 5.10) (Table 6) were �80 and

146% higher than for worms in T1 and T3, respectively.

Despite noticeable differences between T1 and T3 but they

were not statistically different (F = 0.068). The cocoon

production rate (cocoon worm–1 day–1) was highest

(0.034 ± 0.15) in T2. The difference in cocoon production

rate between T1 and T3 was not statistically significant

(F = 0.348). Edwards et al. (1998) and Suthar (2006)

concluded that the important difference between the rates

of cocoon production in the two organic wastes must be

related to the quality of the waste. The variability in

earthworm biomass gain and reproduction rate different

treatments was probably related to the palatability, micro-

biology as well as the chemistry of the feeding stuff. The

difference in cocoon production patterns among different

treatment suggest a physiological trade-off (Streans 1992)

related to N-limitations. Recently Suthar (2007a) demon-

strated that earthworm growth and reproduction rate is

related to initial N-content of the substrate. Present results

are confirmatory.

3.3 Treatment for optimum results of industrial waste

treatment

During the process of vermicomposting, the suitability of

the tested substrate mainly depends on fold increase in

essential plant nutrients, lowering of toxicants, earthworm

biomass as well as reproduction performance, and even less

mortality in tested earthworm species. Of the five chemical

parameters measured, three were highest in T2 vermibeds

as reflected by the vermicomposting coefficient (Table 4).

Moreover, the earthworms’ individual live weight and

biomass gain, cocoon numbers, and individual reproduc-

tion rates were also highest for the T2 bedding. This clearly

indicates that the biochemical environment in this bedding

was more acceptable than that for the other two treatments.

T2 treatment was found to be an ideal for humification and

mineralization of plant metabolites. We suggest that

nitrogen; organic matter content and microbial populations

in this vermibed enhance conditions for earthworms. Result

also suggests that proportions of amendment materials

(cow dung and saw dust) were more acceptable to earth-

worms in terms of palatability. Guar gum industrial wastes

contain a relatively high concentration of ammonia that

adversely affects earthworms. Ammonium levels could be

tempered by supplementing the waste with materials of

high C:N ratio such as saw dust.

4 Conclusions

Recycling of guar gum industrial waste through vermi-

composting not only accelerated the mineralization of

complex nutrients into more available forms for plants. The

waste when amended with sawdust or cow dung for a

mixture there was a good growth media for earthworms.

These organic supplements create a favorable chemical

environment which consequently affects the waste reduc-

tion by increasing efficiency of earthworm. Vermicompo-

sting transfers energy rich and complex organic substances

into a product which has a relatively high content of

humus-like compounds for sustainable plant production

and land restoration practices.

Acknowledgements The author is grateful to three anonymous

reviewers for valuable comments and careful revision of the manu-

script.

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Table 6 Reproduction pattern of P. sansibaricus (mean ± SD, n = 3) in different treatments

Bedding Total number of

cocoons produced

Cocoon production

(cocoon worm–1)

Net reproduction rate

(cocoon worm–1 day–1)

T1* 53.3 ± 8.4a 3.2 ± 0.5a 0.02 ± 0.004a

T2* 96.0 ± 5.1b 5.1 ± 0.1b 0.03 ± 0.001b

T3* 39.0 ± 5.4a 2.8 ± 0.5a 0.02 ± 0.003a


Mean Value followed by different letters is statistically different (ANOVA; Duncan multiple-ranged test, P < 0.05)


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