Enhanced Production of High Quality Vermicompost Using Traditional Microbial Consortium and <i>Eisenia fetida</i>

The present research demonstrates the enhanced production of high-quality vermicompost using locally available bamboo leaves, spent mushroom substrate, and traditional microbial consortium along with <i>Eisenia fetida</i>. The study examined the different combinations of substrate materials for the conversion into high-quality vermicompost. Enhanced vermicompost production (up to 81.73% conversion of the substrate into product) was observed in this study. The nitrogen and phosphorous contents were found to be increased up to 3.32 and 5.05 fold, respectively, in the vermicompost product. Meanwhile, 1.46–2.06 fold decreases in humification index and 5.45 fold decreases in C/N value were observed. These are, in fact, indicating the maturity and high quality of the vermicompost product. Further, highly reduced quantities of the trace elements and heavy metals were found in the vermicompost product. The maturity and stability of the vermicompost products were further supported by SEM and FT-IR analyses. FT-IR analysis revealed decrease in cellulose and hemicellulose intensities and partial mineralization in the vermicompost products. These are directly indicating the high-quality of vermicompost produced in this study. The findings suggest that the vermicompost generated from locally available waste mixtures along with traditional microbial consortium is a potential alternative in the place of normal compost to use it for different agricultural practices.