ELP PROJECT REPORT FORMAT

1. TITLE PAGE

2. DECLARATION

3. CERTIFICATE

4. ABSTRACT (MAXIMUM OF 250 WORDS)

5. CONTENT PAGE

6. INTRODUCTION (NOT EXCEEDING 2 PAGES)

7. REVIEW OF LITERATURE (20 RECENT REVIEWS)

8. METHODOLOGY

9. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

10. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

11 REFERENCES (Follow APA style referencing)

12. APPENDICES
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An Experiential Learning project report on

NUTRIENT ENRICHED VERMICOMPOST USING AZOLLA, COW DUNG AND

CAMPUS WASTE

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of science

In

Agriculture (Hons.)

By

NAMES REGISTER NUMBER

Gokulanathan M J 18BAG0040

Vinnarasu A M K 18BAG0043

Charan V 18BAG0044

Suresh Kumar 18BAG0068

Vignesh A 18BAG0110
 2

VIT SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AND ADVANCED

LEARNING

May, 2022

An Experiential Learning project report on

NUTRIENT ENRICHED VERMICOMPOST USING AZOLLA, COW DUNG AND

CAMPUS WASTE

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of science

In

Agriculture (Hons.)

by

VVVVV
 3

VIT SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AND ADVANCED

LEARNING

May, 2022

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the Experiential Learning Project Report entitled “Nutrient
enriched vermicompost using Azolla, Cow dung and Campus waste” submitted by me, for
the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Vellore Institute of
Technology, is a record of bonafide work carried out by me under the supervision of Dr.
Sathiavelu.A.

I further declare that the work reported in this project report has not been submitted
and will not be submitted, either in part or in full, for the award of any other degree or
diploma in this institute or any other institute or university.

Place: Vellore Signature of the Candidates

Date: .05.2022
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VIT SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AND ADVANCED

LEARNING (VAIAL)

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled “Nutrient enriched vermicompost using
Azolla, Cow dung and Campus waste” submitted by Mr/Mrs. Vinnarasu AMK,
18BAG0043 in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the BACHELOR’S
DEGREE in AGRICULTURAL to the Vellore Institute of Technology is a record of bona-
fide project work carried out by her/him during the period of her/his study in this university
under our guidance and supervision and the project report has not previously formed the basis
for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other similar titles.

Guide 1

Dr. Sathiavelu.A

Guide 2

Dr. Sathiavelu.A

External examiner Dean

(Name & signature). Dr. Babu Subramaniyan

Vellore
Date:
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“Nutrient enriched vermicompost using

Azolla, Cow dung and Campus waste”

ABSTRACT

Vermicompost is an organic fertilizer it contains Nutrients-rich and water soluble which

enhances the crop growth, to enrich it further with Azolla. The present study was about to
enrich the nutrient content of vermicompost

CONTENT SHEET

SL. CONTENTS PAGE

NO. NO.

I. INTRODUCTION

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

III. METHODOLOGY

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

VI REFERENCES
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APPENDICES

LIST OF TABLES

SL. TITLE OF THE TABLES PAGE

NO. NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.

FIGURES (If any)

1.
2
3.
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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Organic farming is a production system, which avoids the use of synthetic chemical
fertilizer application to the plants. The continued use of organic fertilizer increases the soil
organic matter and biological activity by decomposition, these decomposition process
increases yield after a year of consumption by soil. Composting is one of the components of
organic farming, agricultural waste and other decomposing waste were used to make compost
and give as organic nutrient source to soil (Mukta et al., 2015). The inappropriate disposals of
waste affect health and environment hazards, deposition of toxic metals and salts to the soil it
affects the physical properties of soil. Researchers related this challenge with compost
making and give potential nutrient organic source to agriculture as Vermicompost (Hupenyu
et al., 2018). (Amir Khan et al., 2011) In nature's laboratory there are a number of
microorganisms and living organisms have the ability to convert the decomposition waste to
composting with organic nutrients for soil productivity. Vermicomposting is the process of
composting by earthworms; earthworms were used to enhance the process of waste
conversion. Vermicompost are produced through interaction between earthworms and
microorganisms, breakdown of organic waste in the digestive tract of earthworm species and
disposal from their body (Abduli et al., 2013). (Mukta et al., 2015) vermicompost play a vital
role in soil fertility and nutrient management and helps to hold a nutrient for longer period of
time without affecting the environment then contains higher percentage of nutrients necessary
for plant growth also affects the soil p H , microbial population and soil enzyme activities.
Azolla pinnata is a fern grown on water surface and multiplies at temperature range 15 0 –
300C with optimum temperature of 25 0C, having the qualities of green manure crop, quick
growth, large biomass production, higher content of nitrogen and easy decomposition in soil
also good source of potassium when applied to soil. Under nutrient deficient and strong light
conditions, it turns red in colour. During summer or winter, it also turns red or brownish red
(Ishtiyaq al., 2010). Azolla – a protein rich aquatic fern, needs minimal water for propagation
 8

and effective fodder for livestock. Hence, the present study is planned to Enrich the
Vermicompost with Azolla pinnata and waste leaves for better organic nutrient source to soil.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Ishtiyaq Ahmed Najar et al.,2010 study reveals that the earthworm E. Fetida feeds on A.
Pinnata, with successful growth and reproduction.Further Indicates that vermicomposting of
A. pinnata it could be an technology to convert the menace of A. pinata into value-added
product like vermicompost which being rich in nutrients can be used in
agriculture/floriculture locally itself.

Parastoo Sharifi et al.,2021 experiment results found that vermicompost and azolla
biofertilizer both at 5% level were suitable cow manure was unsuitable to be used in the
saline – sodium soils.

Sundararasu et al., 2014 effect of vermiwash was observed on the plant’s of brinjal showed
significant growth and yield. Vermiwash proves to be an effective fertilizer which contributes
to the growth of plants when sprayed directly.

MuddasirBasheer1 et al2013 studied that the use of Vermicompost resulted in increasing the
height of plants and also resulted in decreasing the incidence of diseases inTomato plants.

THOMAS A. LUMPKIN et al., 1980 Talley et al. (1977) achieved 1) rice yield increases of
112% over the control by incorporating one 60 kg N/ha layer of A. filiculoides into the paddy
soil.Watanabe (1977) reported a 13% increase in grain yield with incorporated A. pinnata, but
recently he has observed considerably higher yields (personal communication), possibly due
to a cumulative effect of slow nitrogen release from successive manuring with Azolla.

S. Mukta et al., 2015 application of vermicompost at the rate of 10 t ha-1

along with 50% chemical fertilizers showed the best performance in terms of yield and
quality of tomato as well as soil fertility management. The combined application of
vermicompost and chemical fertilizers would help to maintain the long-term soil productivity
for sustainable tomato cultivation.

M. Nayeem-Shah et al., 2014 neem leaf feed with animal manure of Vermicompost increases
the zoomass of earthworms.

Abduli et al., 2012 Vitamin C and total sugar content in tomatoes increase with using
vermicompost.As a result, vermicompost has a potential for improving plant growth and dry
matter yield when added to the soil.
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Setyaningrum et al., 2019 Addition of azzolasp of 20% increases the temperature

decomposition and speeds up the time to reach maximum temperature.

Amir Khan et al., 2011 vermicompost results in the increased growth of Pisumsativum plants
in a very short period of time.

Rakesh Josh et al2014 studied vermicompost can improve physical,chemical and biological
properties of soil and is an excellent organic fertilizer.

Gajalakshmi et al., 2004 The studies demonstrate that earthworms can survive, grow and
breed in the vermireactors fed with com-posted mango tree leaves.also indicate that even
better vermireactor efficiency may be possible by modifying the reactor geometry.

Samuel MunyakaKimani et al., 2020 bio-char and Azolla co-application significantly

increased rice grain yield,and the soil organic C, total N, pH, and EC values. In the presence
of Azolla, amendment with biochar significantly decreased both grain yield equivalent CH4
and N2O emissions.

Rakesh Thakur et al., 2015 Production of Azolla with vermicompost increases Azolla
Yield.replacement of buffalo dung with vermicompost in Azolla production increases Azolla
yield.

Using vermicompost, NADEP compost and pit compost made from agriculture and municipal
solid waste to green gram. Among the compost, maximum average crop length found in
vermicompost (13.73cm/crop) at 30 DAS and at 60 DAS higher crop length was found in pit
compost(40.34cm/crop) and minimum value found in vermicompost(37.20cm/crop) resulted
that vermicompost is more beneficial for higher growth and yield. Mangeshet al., (2018).

Mohbeet al., (2018) conducted field experiments with FYM, vermicompost, poultry draige,
goat manure in green gram. Poultry draige increased the plant height, number of primary
branches and yield with maximum root nodules on plants of green gram. Field experiment
revealed the influence of spacing and organic manures on growth attributes, yield attributes
and economics of green gram.

Plant height increased due to the spacing practice had a significant effect on plant height.
Application of vermicompost 4t/ha alone results in minimum in all the parameters compared
to FYM 10t/ha and poultry manures 2t/ha in green gram. Anumandlaet al.,(2021).

Rajkhowaet al., (2002) observed a significant increase in plant height and dry matter
production due to the application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha with 100 % recommended
-1

dose of fertilizer overcontrol. Singh et al., (2008) observed that all the growth
parameters,plant height, the number of leaves and dry matter accumulation in different plant
parts, nodule number and dry weight increased significantly with 5 t FYM ha-1 in urdbean.

Vermicompost is the highest cost of cultivation in economics and concluded with usage of
FYM 10t/ha in spacing 30 *10 cm gives optimum seed yield and low cost of cultivation in
economics is best for rain fed conditions of green gram. Anumandlaet al.,(2021).
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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Pre-decomposition process
A.pinnata collected from rice field of VIT Farm were allowed to dry
for 5 days under sunshine for draining extra water content and it
makes decomposing faster. Then the azolla is mixed with cow dung
and sun dry it for 2-3 days to make azolla and leaves decompose
faster, then the dried mixture is mixed with water(pre-decomposition)
in the containers. pre- decomposition makes the earthworm to feed
freely, in this pre- decomposition process methane present in the cow
dung is eliminated by continues stirring and mixing of azolla,cow
dung,leaf waste with water at regular interval for 15 days.
Earthworms collection
Eisenia fetida worms were collected in the Vermicompost unit of VIT
, it is cultured using cow dung as feed. Earthworm weighted and
added into each plastic containers.
Vermi reactors(process)
● Ten circular plastic tubs(30cm*30cm) were used as containers.
For each containers add this trial combinations.
i. Cow dung + Azolla + Dry Leaf litter = 1000g + 600g + 400g
ii. Cow dung + Azolla + Dry Leaf litter = 1000g + 1000g + 0g
iii. Cow dung + Azolla + Dry Leaf litter = 800g + 800g + 400g
iv. Cow dung + Azolla + Dry Leaf litter = 800g + 600g + 600g
v. Cow dung + Azolla + Dry Leaf litter = 700g + 700g + 600g

● In this the cow dung, Azolla mixture is placed and earthworms

are introduced in this tubs to start to feed the cow dung mixture.
● 25g of earthworms were weighed and put in each container.
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● Observing the activity of earthworms, the Azolla mixture is

suitable to feed.
● Then buttermilk, jaggery mixed and fermented water is prepared
to get more microbial activity in compost, apply it at the top of
the tray at regular interval for the movement of earthworms up
and down in containers.
● Collecting samples of vermicompost and observing the samples
on 15,30th days of composting.
● Observations were noted in terms

● Remove the earthworms present in the vermicompost container

by hand sorting method.
( picking it by hand.)
● Sieve it and let it shade dry to get an optimum moisture content
for nutrient analysis Testing.
Vermicast
● samples collected at the end of 15 and 30 were air-dried and
sieved separately at room temperature. They were analyzed for
pH, EC and total organic nitrogen, total organic carbon content
and total phosphorus.
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CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results revealed that there was a good appreciable difference between the Azolla
enriched vermicompost and VIT vermicompost, but the nutrient analysis shows the Nitrogen
content is significantly better in Azolla enriched vermicompost. Azolla has Nitrogen fixing
capability due to the presence of Nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azollae Anabaena and the Azolla
already absorbs all its nutrients from rice fields irrigated water for its growth and rapid
multiplication. Both Vermicompost are rich in
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CHAPTER V

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

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CHAPTER VI

REFERENCES

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composting. BioCycle, 38 (4): 57–59.

2.Edwards, C. A. and Burrows, I. 1988. The potential ofEarthworm composts as plant growth
media. In: Edwards,C.A., Neuhauser, E. (Eds.), Earthworms in Waste andEnvironmental
Management. SPB Academic Press, TheHague, The Netherlands, pp. 21–32.

3.Lunt, H. A. and Jacobson, H. G. 1994. The chemicalcomposition of earthworm casts. Soil

Sc., 58: 367-75.

4.Pramanik, P., Ghosh, G. K., Ghosal, P, K. and Banik, P. 2007.Changes in organic-C, N, P

and K and enzyme activities invermicompost of biodegradable organic wastes under
limingand microbialinoculants. J Biores Tech., 98: 2485-2494.

5.Gajalakshmi, S. and Abbasi, S.A. 2003. High-rateVermicomposting systems for recycling

paper waste. IndianJournal of Biotechnology, 2(4) October: 613-615.

6. Grapelli, A., Tomati, U., Galli, E. and Vergari, B. 1985.Earthworm casting in plant
propagation. Hort Sc., 20: 874876.

7. Dominguez, J., Edwards, C. A. and Subler, S. 1997. Acomparison of vermicomposting and

composting. BioCycle, 38 (4): 57–59.

8.Atiyeh, R. M., Lee, S., Edwards, C. A., Arancon, N. Q. andMetzger, J. D. 2002. The
influence of humic acids derivedFrom earthworm-processed organic wastes on plant
growth.Biores Tech 84: 7–14.

9. Mathur G N, Sharma Ramakant and Chaudhary P C (2013) .Useof Azolla (Azolla pinnata)
as cattle feed supplement. J KrishiVigyan 2(1):73-75
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10.Giridhar K, Elangovan A V, Khandekar P, Sharangauda andSampath K T (2012) .

Cultivation and use of Azolla as nutritiveFeed supplement for the livestock. Indian Farming
62 (2):20-22.

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12. Slocum, K., 2002. Pathogen reduction in vermicomposting. WormDigest 23, 27–28.

13. Szczech, M.M., 1999. Suppressiveness of vermicompost againstFusarium wilt of tomato.

Journal of Phytopathology—Phytopatho-logische Zeitschrift, 155–161.

14. K. Hashemimajd, M. Kalbasi, A. Golchin & H. Shariatmadari (2004) Comparison of

Vermicompost and Composts as Potting Media for Growth of Tomatoes, Journal of Plant
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ofvermicomposts; producedByearthworm and microorganisms from castle
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produced from plant waste onThe growth and nutrient status in vegetable
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13(1): 617-621.
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APPENDICES (If any)