Author(s):

B Hema and S Meena

Abstract: In the present paper, the chemical changes due to vermicomposting with partially decomposed cow dung (PCD) and fly ash (FA) mixture was described. Vermicomposting was carried out with different combinations of PCD and fly ash viz., PCD: FA (1:1), PCD: FA (1:2), PCD: FA (1:2:5), PCD: FA (1:3), PCD: FA (2:1), PCD: FA (2:5:1) and PCD: FA (3:1). Eisenia fetida (red earthworm) was released to these mixtures for vermicomposting at the rate of six per kg of material. 60 per cent moisture was maintained gravimetrically throughout the study. Variations in temperature during the process of vermicomposting was monitored regularly by using temperature sensor. Samples were taken periodically at an interval of 14 days for studying the morpho - chemical changes that occurred during different stages of vermicomposting using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X – ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analysis. The result of FTIR showed that certain functional group like gaseous water molecule (3900 – 3750 cm^-1), free alcohol (3800 - 3700 cm^-1) and aliphatic ether groups (1880 cm^-1) disappeared with increasing period of vermicomposting. Similarly with the increase in period of vermicomposting, increase in carboxylic acid group at the wavelength of 3380 -3370 cm^-1 and increase in aromatic group or acid polymers at 1000 - 1020 cm^-1 were observed. Due to the conversion of alcohol and ethers into acids during vermicomposting which may decreases the pH of the vermicompost sample and also increase the nutrient availability by chelating the nutrients in its aromatic structure. SEM with EDAX of before and after vermicomposting of fly ash with PCD showed that there was a decline in heavy metal concentration with the period of vermicomposting. It is concluded that fly ash as fly ash based vermicompost can be utilized as manure for crop production.

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