Vermicomposting as an alternative for reusing by-products from the olive oil industry

A study was conducted to examine the feasibility of vermicomposting differe nt by-products (wet, semidry and dry cakes, cake pulp, concentrated mill wa stewater) from the olive oil industry. Of all assayed by-products, only the dry olive cakes, alone or mixed with cattle manure and the semidry olive c akes previously composted were suitable for vermicomposting. Vermicompostin g for 56 days diminished C/N ratios, improved chemical properties and reduc ed appreciably the phytotoxicity of the suitable substrates.