Abstract

WASTE MANAGEMENT OF LIGNITE FLYASH THROUGH VERMICOMPOSTING BY INDIGENOUS EARTHWORMS EISENIA FETIDA.

Dr. Bishnu Charan Pradhan

Abstract

Fly ash is an amorphous ferroalumino silicate, an important solid waste around thermal power plants. It creates problems leading to environmental degradation due to improper utilization or disposal. However, fly ash is a useful ameliorant that may improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and is a source of readily available plant macro and micronutrients when it is used with biosolids. In view of the environmental problems generated by the large scale production of flyash, increasing attention is now being paid to the recycling of flyash as a good source of nutrients. To reduce the cost of disposal of flyash and best utilization, it was planned to convert the flyash into a valuable vermicompost. This study explored the potential role of indigenous earthworm Eisenia fetida to convert the flyash into best manure. Three combinations of cowdung and flyash such as 1:1 (T1), 2:1 (T 2) and 3:1 (T3) were prepared. Among the three T3 showed the best result in which higher N, P, K and lower OC were observed.

Keywords: Eisenia fetida, Vermicomposting , Liginite wastes, Flyash , Macro nutrients and management.