Growth status of the local earthworm lampito mauritii (kinberg) cultured in municipal solid waste materials

In every day dumping of municipal solid wastes (MSW) as a result of urban extension, over population, industrial developments and commercialization (vegetables, fruits and supermarket waste) caused a serious cause to the environment air, water (ground and stream water contamination) and land (soil pollution: heavy metals, heat generation). In the present investigation an attempt has been made to convert the municipal solid waste (MSW) into manure using the earthworm Lampito mauritii under cultured in conditions. The different experimental media were prepared on dry weight basis by mixing the municipal solid waste (MSW) and bedding material (BM); T1 ratio – 20% BM + 80% MSW, T2 ratio – 40% BM + 60% MSW, T3 ratio – 60% BM + 40% MSW, T4 ratio – 80% BM + 20% MSW, control (BM alone – C) were also maintained. The growth rate (biomass) and reproduction (number of cocoons and hatchlings) of L. mauritii was increased in all experimental media BM + MSW mixtures (T1 – T4 rtio) and control (C). The result showed that the unutilized and enormously available MSW can be vermicomposted to convert into valuable organic manure utilized for sustainable agriculture.