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Abstracto

Comparative study of characteristics of biocompost produced by millipedes and earthworms

Prabhas C. Thakur, Prem Apurva and Shailendra. K. Sinha

Plant wastes can be degraded by millipedes (Arthropods of class Diplopoda) to produce compost called Milli-compost similar to Vermi-compost. A comparative study of composts produced with the help of millipedes (Harpaphe haydeniana) / earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) / without millipede and earthworm was undertaken. Physico-chemical parameters of composts were evaluated. It was found that contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium were more in Milli-compost and Vermi-compost as compared to ordinary compost. Contents of nutrients in Milli-compost were more than Vermi-compost. Increase in water holding capacity and pore space between particles of Milli-compost and Veri-compost and decrease in bulk density were also observed. Milli-compost production technology may prove to be beneficial for agriculture in near future.