Towards maximising output from vermireactors fed with cowdung spiked paperwaste

Paper waste, spiked with varying proportions of cowdung, was vermicomposted in 'low-rate` and 'high-rate' reactors. The former type of reactors had ea rthworm populations and feed loading rates similar to ones recommended by p revious workers. The 'highrate' reactors were operated with 12.5 times high er earthworm densities and feed loading rates. All the reactors were studie d for six months to assess the vermicast output, survivability, growth and reproduction of the earthworms hence the sustainability of the reactors - f or long-term, continuous operation. The studies revealed the viability of t he high-rate vermireactor concept. The highrate reactors consistently produ ced over 6.5 times more castings per unit digester volume with no adverse e ffect on the earthworm population, as reflected by (a) absence of mortality , (b) consistent growth in worm zoomass, and (c) normal rate of reproductio n. The studies also revealed that an increase in the cowdung fraction in th e feed from 14.3% to 20% (4:1 paper:cowdung blends to 6:1 blends) had littl e positive impact on the vermicast output or earthworm health. This indicat ed that spiking of paper feed with similar to 14% cowdung, or perhaps an ev en smaller fraction, might be adequate to support earthworms in the paper-f ed vermireactors. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.