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International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology Research Article 10 min read

Assessment of Cocoon Production of Eudrilus eugeniae through Bioconversion of Distillery Solid Waste with Elephant Dung

Moorthi M*
* Corresponding author
ISSN: 2639-216X  10.23880/izab-16000192  Received: November 26, 2019  Published: December 17, 2019
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Keywords
Distillery Sludge Elephant Dung Cocoon Eudrilus eugeniae
Abstract

The dumping of organic wastes from the distillery industries leads serious threats to environment. The organic wastes disposal cause unpleasant odour, soil pollution, and distribution of vector borne diseases in human beings and highly infectious viral diseases which affects different animals. Bioconversion of distillery solid waste with elephant dung has been renowned and efficient technology used for reducing pollutants, making noble fertilizer and maintaining pollution free environment. The present study aimed at the bioconversion of distillery sludge combined with elephant dung using earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae Lin. and assessment the cocoon production. The three treatment combinations (T1-SD, T2- ED and T3-SED) were selected and introduced the earthworm E. eugeniae for bioconversion. The physico-chemical characteristics were subjected for the initial day and final day (60 days).The results showed that the values of pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, total calcium and total magnesium were increased with a declining trend of total organic carbon and C/N ratio from its initial value. From the results it was inferred that the organic wastes were effectively converted into a nutrient loaded vermicompost. The cocoon production of E. eugeniae was observed in all the treatments at different time intervals (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days) were the higher level of cocoon production in SED combinations 114+38 to 152±9.2.Vermi- bioconversion is a appropriate method of using worms to transform organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer, a healthy and a soil remediation from the pollution.

Introduction

The human society is dependent upon the agriculture for the fundamental needs like food, clothing and shelter. Due to the intensive farming system, the depletion of soil nutrients occur to a greater degree which creates an imbalance in nutrient availabilities, loss of soil fertility and drastic reduction of crop production. Nowadays, organic waste management and recycling processes become more essential towards fulfilling partial requirement of plant nutrients and sustainable soil health through enhancing the physico-chemical properties and the microbial diversity. In addition, a steady rise in fertilizer prices and increase in farm energy costs make burden to the farmers and these have necessitated organic waste recycling through eco- friendly technologies for sustainable agriculture. Distillery industry is one which produces enormous quantity of liquid and solid wastes that can be a great source of energy for recycling through green technologies. This not only be proved to be manure but also to a certain extent a solution to the problem of pollution [1].

Disposal of organic waste can be done by many methods like land filling, incineration, pyrolysis, recycling, conversion to biogas and composting. In terms of both organic waste management and environmental protection, vermin-bioconversion can be the most suitable method. In general, composting is the most widely applicable process of handling biodegradable organic wastes, which provides a way not only of reducing the amount of waste that needs to be disposed- off, but also concretes way to convert it into a product that is useful for agriculture. As a natural process, composting has many advantages. It is an effective and environmentally acceptable method for organic waste disposal which helps to recycle valuable nutrients to soil and plants ecosystems. Appropriate techniques of composting organic wastes with suitable additives can greatly improve fertilizer value of manures and at the same time it accomplishes protection of the environment [2].

Vermicompost, a by-product of earthworm facilitated organic waste re-cycling, is rich in plant nutrients and growth promoting substances and considered as an inseparable component of sustainable farming. Several factors, such as soil, temperature, substrate moisture, waste substrate, besides stocking rate of earthworm density influence to the extent of success of vermicomposting processes [3].

Earthworms voraciously feed on organic wastes and while utilizing only a small portion for their body synthesis they excrete a large part of these consumed waste materials in a half digested form. Since the intestines of earthworms harbor wide ranges of microorganisms, enzymes, hormones, etc., these partially digested materials decompose rapidly and transformed into a form of vermicompost within a short time [4]. The present study focused on the assessment of the cocoon production of E. eugeniae through vermi-bioconversion of distillery solid waste with elephant dung.

Materials and Methods

The earthworm African night crawler (E. Eugeniae Lin.) was obtained from a vermicomposting unit of A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mannampandal, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India. The clay soil was collected from nearby the agricultural land. The elephant dung was obtained from at Mayuranathar temple for this study. Distillery sludge was collected from distillery unit, Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India. From the collected substances, the small portions were dried, powdered and subjected for physico-chemical characterization. The experimental setup adopted by pot culture methods and quantity of composts were used in 20kg.

  • T1: Treatment of soil (clay) 60% with distillery sludge 40% (SD 60:40 ratio)
  • T2: Treatment of elephant dung60% with distillery sludge 40%(ED 60:40 ratio)
  • T3: Treatment of soil(clay) 30% +elephant dung 30% + Distillery Sludge 60% (SED 30:30:40 ratios) The earthworm was identified and further confirmed by the method suggested in manual of Julka, et al. [5]. The E. eugeniae being an epigeic form; it came up over the surface only for feeding and spent the remaining time under the soil. So that earthworm beds were designed to feel at home by placing small twigs at the bottom of the pot and small stone over it up to 10cm. Earthworm beds formed by concrete rings to be constructed to a height of 13cm and a width of 25 cm and length 40 cm (round) to be fixed. The 25 young clitellated earthworms, weighing 250-300mg were introduced in the earthworm treatments beds (T1-SD, T2-ED and T3- SED).

Analytical Methods

The following standard analytical methods were adopted for initial and final analysis of clay soil and elephant dung by the following standard methods used.

The pH was analyzed in sample-water suspension at 1:10 ratio by using pH meter [6]. Electrical conductivity (EC) was analyzed in sample-water suspension at 1:10 ratio by using Electrical conductivity meter [6]. Total organic carbon (TOC) was made by chromic acid wet digestion method [7]. Total nitrogen (TN) was analysed in compost and Vermicompost. For nitrogen analysis Macro-Kjeldahl method was made [8]. Total phosphorus (TP) was observed using colorimetric method with molybdenum in sulphuric acid by vanadomolybdate yellow color method and total potassium (TK) was analysed by flame photometric method [9]. Available nitrogen was analysed by alkaline permanganate method [10]. Available phosphorous was measured using colorimetric method (0.5M NaHCO3 extract) [11]. Available potassium was analysed using flame photometry (N-NH4OAc extract) [12]. Total calcium (TCa) and total magnesium (TMg) were analysed by triple acid digestion and extraction (HNO3:H2SO4:HCIO4 at 9:2:1) - versenate method [13].

Cocoon Production

The cocoons were collected by mesh (0x5 mm) sieve every day, using gentle washing, and their number was calculated per individual basis. The collected cocoons were separated in other soil medium.

Statistical Analysis

Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed using SPSS (version 22) to test the level of significance of the difference between various treatments with respect to the physico-chemical parameters.

Results and Discussion

The pH in the SD combination was nearby neutral (7.1± 0.5 to 7.1± 0.5), in ED combination, it was alkaline in nature 8.4±1.1 to 7.8±1.2 and in SED combination was nearby neutral 7.6±2.3 to 7.2±2.5. At end of the experiments, the pH in all the treatments was nearby neutral range was recorded (Figure 1 & Table 1). The pH of all the vermicomposts was almost neutral and stabilized at matured stage (45 days) which may be due to the buffering nature of humic substances [14].

Figure 1: pH and EC (dsm-1) values in different combination of Vermicompost.
Click to enlarge
Figure 1: pH and EC (dsm-1) values in different combination of Vermicompost.
S. NoParametersClay SoilElephant dungDistillery sludge
1pH7.28.24.6
2EC(dsm-1)0.50.81
3C/N Ratio222228
4TOC%414254
5TN%0.50.50.4
6TP%0.40.50.3
7TK%0.60.60.6
8TCa%0.40.20.3
9TMg%0.20.30.2

Table 1: Physico chemical parameters of clay soil, elephant dung and Distillery sludge.

The EC (dsm-1) was gradually increasing in all the treatments from the initial stage to the final stage (0.8±0.1 to 1.05±0.5 in SD combination; 1.08±0.5 to 1.2±0.4 in ED combination and 1.5±0.9 to 1.7±0.5 in SED Combination (Figure 2 & Table 2). This was due to the absorption of soluble salts by earthworms and enhanced microbial activities of the substances [15].

Figure 2: C/N ratio and TOC% values in different combinations of Vermicompost.
Click to enlarge
Figure 2: C/N ratio and TOC% values in different combinations of Vermicompost.
S. NoParametersClay Soil + DistilleryElephant dung + DistilleryClay Soil + Elephant dung + Distillery
Sludge (T1)Sludge (T2)Sludge (T3)
InitialFinalInitialFinalInitialFinal
(0 day)(60th days)(0 day)(60th days)(0 day)(60th days)
1pH7.1± 0.57.1± 0.58.4±1.17.8±1.27.6±2.37.2±2.5
2EC (dsm-1)0.8±0.11.05±0.51.08±0.51.2±0.41.5±0.91.7±0.5
3C/N Ratio21.5±5.215.2±3.222±5.618±1.523±5.114±3.1
4TOC%43±5.934±5.244±7.238±5.346±5.728±3.5
5TN%0.6±0.011.7±0.50.5±0.10.9±0.21.8±0.32.9±0.5
6TP%0.5±0.011.5±0.50.8±0.11.1±0.31.1±0.52.5±0.5
7TK%0.8±0.021.9±0.50.7±0.10.9±0.21.4±0.52.6±0.5
8TCa%0.5±0.011.6±0.50.5±0.10.6±0.11.2±0.51.9±0.5
9TMg%0.2±0.11.1±0.30.3±0.10.5±0.10.7±0.51.2±0.5
P Value0.002*0.001*0.001*
Significant * P < 0.05Non-significant** P>0.05

Table 2: Physico chemical parameters in different combination of Vermicompost.

The total organic carbon ranges were slowly reduced from its initial stage (Figure 2 & Table 2). Significantly lower TOC% of all the treatments suggested enhanced Generally, TN content in the vermicomposting range from 1.8 to 2.9%. The increasing trend of TN may be due to the mineralization of the organic present. Similar results were also shown by Carbera, et al. [20]. The other nutrients TP% and TK% levels in treatments indicate that a higher mineralization rate occurs during the process of vermicomposting. Earthworms turn the insoluble and particulate organic matter into soluble forms with the help of solubilizing microorganisms present in the gut making it more available for the future plantations [1].

Figure 3: TNPK% values in different combinations of Vermicompost.
Click to enlarge
Figure 3: TNPK% values in different combinations of Vermicompost.

by Eisenia fetida. Thus the solid wastes, SED combination was recycled into a nutrient-rich vermicompost successfully in this project with the help of the earthworm, E. eugeniae.

Figure 4: TCa and TMg values in different combinations of Vermicompost.
Click to enlarge
Figure 4: TCa and TMg values in different combinations of Vermicompost.

Cocoon Production

The cocoon productions of E. eugeniae were observed in all the treatments on 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. The high level of cocoon productions was recorded in SED combination (36±8.8 to 42±9.2) with when increased experimental days (Figure 5 & Table 3). The similar results were observed in SD (22+8.6 to 33±7.8) and in ED (28+6.6 to 35±6.9) from initial to 60th day. Viljoen, et al. [21] reported the fibrous tips at both ends of the cocoon in the African epigeic worm, E. eugeniae. While cocoons are produced by cross-fertilization between two adult worms in many species, in others there may be self- fertilization or parthenogenesis. The shape, size, development time and hatching success of cocoons differ greatly among earthworm species. The highest and lowest size and weight of cocoons were found in the giant anecic worm Eutyphoeus gammiei and the smallest epigeic earthworm Dichogaster modiglianii respectively [22].

Figure 5: Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae Lin. Cocoon production in different combination of Vermicompost.
Click to enlarge
Figure 5: Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae Lin. Cocoon production in different combination of Vermicompost.
S.oTreatmentsD0y15304560PercentageP < Value
NaDaysDaysDaysDays(%)0.05
1Cocoon production in Clay Soil + Distillery (T1)015±5.120±7.322±8.633±7.823%0.0001*
2Cocoon production in Elephant dung + Distillery (T2)022±5.127±5.328±6.635±6.928%0.0001*
3Cocoon production in Clay Soil + Elephant dung+
Distillery (T3)		027±6.732±7.936±8.842±9.234%0.0001*
Significant* P < 0.05 Non significant** P>0.05

Table 3: Cocoon production in different combination of Vermicompost.

In short, the bioconversion of distillery sludge as vermicomposts provides a sound solution for their disposal as well as the problem of pollution. The physico- chemical properties observed that the values of pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium, total calcium and total magnesium were increased with a declining trend in total organic carbon and C/N ratio from its initial value. Finally, the organic wastes were effectively changed into a nutrient loaded Vermicompost, the higher level of cocoon productions in SED combination. The disposal of solid wastes as manures help in meeting the nutrient requirement of crops as well as sustaining soil health by maintaining soil organic matter status. Thus it proves that the bioconversion techniques are economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sensible one to the industrialists and for the farmers.

References

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@article{moorthi2019,
  title   = {Assessment of Cocoon Production of Eudrilus eugeniae
through Bioconversion of Distillery Solid Waste with
Elephant Dung},
  author  = {Moorthi M},
  journal = {International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology},
  year    = {2019},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {6},
  doi     = {10.23880/izab-16000192}
}
Moorthi M (2019). Assessment of Cocoon Production of Eudrilus eugeniae
through Bioconversion of Distillery Solid Waste with
Elephant Dung. International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology, 2(6). https://doi.org/10.23880/izab-16000192
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Assessment of Cocoon Production of Eudrilus eugeniae
through Bioconversion of Distillery Solid Waste with
Elephant Dung
AU  - Moorthi M
JO  - International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology
PY  - 2019
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
DO  - 10.23880/izab-16000192
ER  -