Vermicomposting: The Biodegradation of Swietenia macrophylla, Acacia crassicarpa, Pterocarpus indicus, and Mangifera indica using African Night Crawlers (Eudrilus euginae)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Laiya National High School has several species of trees inside the school campus. However, leaf litter has turned out into waste and second most leading garbage problem after the plastics. Everyday almost 15 sacks of organic wastes are collected from the school ground including the leaves of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Acacia (Acacia crassicarpa), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus), and Mangga (Mangifera indica).On the other hand, because of this major problem, the researchers introduced the vermicomposting by using Eudrilus euginae or African Night Crawlers. Biodegradation of leaves can be done within 6 to 8 weeks through the help of these invertebrates.Vermiculture involves the mass production of earthworms for waste degradation, and composting with 'vermicast' production.

METHODS

The researcher seeks to investigate theproject through experimentation and observation in order for them to gain the data they need. This method will be very helpful in finding the result of the study.

RESULTS

Based in the data gathered results done by the researchers, using vermiculture can help to lessen the amount of leaf litter in the school campus. After observing four different set up that contains leaves, legumes, and African Night Crawlers, they found out that the population of Eudrilus euginae increased on set-up that contains Acacia crassicarpa. Meanwhile, earthworm action enhances natural biodegradation and decomposition of wastes (between 60 to 80 percent under optimum conditions), thus significantly reducing the composting time by several of weeks. Within 5 to 6 weeks, Acacia crassicarpa will decompose because of the Eudrilus euginae. There are multiple benefits of vermicomposting, first to the environment. It will help to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and decreasing the amount of wastes in our surroundings. Second, to theorganic farmers, it will be a good fertilizer to the soil because vermicomposting improves soil aeration, enriches the soil with micro-organisms and improves nutrient recycling.

DISCUSSIONS

Eudrilus euginae act in the soil as aerators, grinders, crushers, chemical degraders and biologic stimulator. They secrete enzymes, protease, lipases, amylases, cellulases and chitinases which bring about rapid biochemical conservation of the cellulosic and the proteinaceous materials in the variety of organic waste which originate from the leaves of Mahogany (Swietenie nacrophyll), Acacia (Acacia crassicarpa), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus), and Mangga (Mangifera indica).