Exploring chemical analysis of vermicompost of various oil palm fibre wastes

Z. Nahrul Hayawin, H. P. S. Abdul Khalil (), M. Jawaid, M. Hakimi Ibrahim and A. A. Astimar
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Z. Nahrul Hayawin: Universiti Sains Malaysia
H. P. S. Abdul Khalil: Universiti Sains Malaysia
M. Jawaid: Universiti Sains Malaysia
M. Hakimi Ibrahim: Universiti Sains Malaysia
A. A. Astimar: Agro Product Unit, Engineering & Processing Division

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2010, vol. 30, issue 3, 273-278

Abstract: Abstract The aim of this work was to study the physical and chemical properties of different oil palm wastes, viz. empty fruit bunch (EFB), oil palm frond (OPF) and oil palm trunk (OPT). A study (84 days duration) was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of an exotic earthworm species (epigeic-African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus euginae)) for the decomposition of different types of oil palm wastes (EFB, OPT and OPF) into valuable vermicompost. The decrease in earthworm’s biomass gain for EFB, OPT and OPF may be due to exhaustion of worm feed in vermicomposters. The percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in vermicompost was found to increase while pH and total organic carbon declined as a function of the vermicomposting period. The vermicompost obtained showed an increase in heavy metal content for all the reactors, but levels were still in the range of nutrient in the vermicompost. The data reveal that vermicomposting (using African Nightcrawler) is a suitable technology for the decomposition of oil palm wastes, especially EFB into value-added material.

Keywords: Vermicomposting; Oil palm wastes; Heavy metal; African nightcrawler (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-010-9274-9

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