Transformation of Sandalwood Leaves ( S antalum album ) into Nutrient Rich Compound through Vermicomposting

It is significant to use renewable resources to maximize crop yields and minimize the environmental risks accompanying with chemical residues. Composting is an age old practice for the biological conversion of organic waste into a humus-like substance which can enhance physical, chemical and biological soil properties. Vermicomposting of leaf litter by Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugenia potentially play a substantial role in remediation of organic waste as well as building up of soil fertility for sustainable agriculture. Present study was based on the conversion of Sandal wood leaf waste into nutrient rich best source. Sandal wood leaf were chopped at fine level and later mixed with cattle dung in order to pre composting followed by addition of earthworm.Several factors were also analysed during process. It was found that physical factors viz. pH, temperature moisture content etc. were significantly fluctuating at initial time period but later it was stagnant at constant level. Volume of waste and density were also reduced at the end of process. Colour of waste also turned into black that was good for seed germination but bad for health of earthworm. Final product was found odour less. Present results revealed about favourable condition of addition of earthworm into leaf litter waste and also explore the capability of both earthworm species to degrade leaf litter after semi-digested condition. Keywords— Sandalwood leaf litter, vermicompost, physio chemical factors, earthworm.


INTRODUCTION
Existence of Greenery in our surround area create peaceful and healthy environment for mankind but with this advantage, some associate issue is also there such as leaf litter droppings make premises dirty (Alagesan and Dheeba,2010).Management of such leaf litters wastes requires manpower and other functional machinery (Chaudhary et al., 2004).Unattained and improper discarding of leaf litter near collection site such as civic places and in the grounds of educational institutions might lead to anaerobic decomposition of organic wastes under moist condition generate pollution.Such pollution cause adverse impact on living being health and eminence of life (Techobanoglous et al.,1993).Although decomposition is a part of composting which is a long standing natural process for recycling of organic waste but with appropriate approach it might be a noble substitute for solid organic waste.In composting process, the biological waste containing complex organic compound turn into feasiblesimple organic byproductcalled compost might be added to the soil without injurious effects on crop growth (Atiyeh et al., 2000).Such compost improvesfertility of soil, porosity, and water-holding capacity.It also provides nourishment of microbial community which play crucial role in fertility of soil.(Hari et al., 2004).With this great advantage there are some limitation also with this technique such as taking long time, loss of nitrogen etc. necessitate some upgradation.Vermicomposting is type of composting in which earthworm is used to transforms energy-rich and complex organic substances into stabilized humus-like product called vermicompost (Benitez et al., 2005).During vermicomposting along with earthworm, microorganisms present in their gut also provide assistance in degradation of consumed organic compound (Edwards and Bohlen, 1996).In recent years several researchers have been substantiated to disparate feeding nature of earthworms for stabilizing the wide variety of organic wastes (Atiyehet al., 2000;Manna et.al. 2003

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Collection and pre-decomposition of leaf litter
The leaf litter of sandal wood plant wascollected from Govt.Madhav Science PG College campus, Ujjain (M.P.) India.Collected leaf litters were chopped into small piecesand allowed to partial decomposition for 10 days (fig.no.1).A chopped leaf litter was mixed with cattle dung in 1:1 ratio.100 % leaf litters also taken as a control.

Collection and culturing of earthworm
The exotic earthworms Eisenia Foetida and Eudrilus eugeniawere collected from Vermiculture centre, Govt, Madhav Science PG College, Ujjain (M.P.).Thespecies were cultured at cattle dung inside the room.

Unchopped Sandalwood leaf
Chopped Sandalwood leaf Fig. 1: Collection and processing of Sandal wood leaf litter

Vermicomposting of leaf litters
Vermicomposting was done in plastic bins of 30 x 15cm size.Bins were kept inside the room and not covered(NRAES, 1992).Totally three replicate of each combination were prepared for the experimental purposes.
In experimental set contains 50 % chopped leaf and 50 % cattle dung in mixture form.In each bin a total of 2.0 kg of composting mixture (leaf litter and cattle dung) was taken.Initially bins materials were allowed to semi digested microbically.When temperature declined, then both earthworm species Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugeniawere released on thesurface of mixture at the rate of 20-20 worms (10 -10 of each species) per bin.Caution was taken to evadedirect Sun light, too cold or hot environment andnatural enemies.During the entire period water was sprinkled in order to maintain adequate moisture.Composting mixture was mixed upside down after regular interval of time.When the surface seems black granular indicated vermicomposting process almost completed.At this stage sprinkling of water stopped before seven days to harvest.Prepared vermicompost was collected and make in stack form so that the earthworms settle at bottom.The top layer of vermicompost was separated without disturbing the bottom layers.The harvested vermicompost was filtered through fine sieve in order to get fine uniform vermicompost.

Measurement of physical and chemical parameters:
During the composting process, sample was taken from both controls as well as in experimental bins for the analysis of some physicochemical parameters like Odour, heating, granule size, pH variation, colour, seed germination, health of earthworms, temperature variation, weight of biomass, density, porosity etc. (  RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Vermicomposting is the process to reduce organic waste by sustainable and eco-friendly (Domjnguez et.al.2000).These are the combined venture of microorganisms and earthworm in which organic waste passes through several physio-biochemical processes and lastly turn into valuable nutrient rich product (Bisesiet.al.,1990).Some parameters viz.pH, moisture content, temperature, etc. are play important role in culturing, maintenance of healthy earthworm populations for vermicomposting.Present efforts done to utilization of sandal wood leaf litters through vermicomposting with or without addition of cattle dung and also measured some physical parameters which are depicted in Table no Obtained result shows that, initial day in vermicompost bins found foul smell which lessened and finally vanished.
In the beginning period of composting process, organic waste contains complex compound which has partially degrade and generate volatile compound resulting pungent smell but during the course it has further metabolized as a result intensity of smell gets reduced and finally extinct.In early phase of composting, materials was heated and temperature went up to 60°C.After attain mature condition it decreased and set at constant level.The temperature regime was more fluctuating at starting phase but later set at constant point.The cause of rising of temperature isbio oxidation of carbon compound in organic waste.Once it depleted temperature also turn down (Allan, 1979).Rising of temperature at initial phase was noted by several researchers by using of different organic waste viz.card board, news paper, paper towel, municipal sewage waste, floral waste etc. (Atchley and Clark, 1979;Mckinley and Vestal, 1985;Shouche et.al., 2011).pHwas measured acidic to neutral range in the initial phase which was finally set at slightly alkaline condition.Composting is a microbial process in which microorganism utilized simple assimilatory carbon present in the form of carbohydrate.When such carbohydrate metabolized anaerobically or aerobically liberates organic acid which reduce the pH of organic waste (Elvira et.al. 1998;Haimi and Huhta 1986).We were also found low pH at initiation phase of composting but after depletion of carbohydrate, alternate energy sources are utilize which has nitrogenous compound as a result pH goes rise (Ndegwaet.al.2000).
Our result was also pact with this reason.
During composting it was also found that as soon as organic mixture passes through vermicomposting phase then their colour was also turn from greenish brown to dark brown and materials size also gets reduced.It was also explore from existing study that, at primary phase density of organic waste was high and porosity was low but at final stage it was less dense and more porous.Density and porosity of any organic waste is due to their compactness of polymer which binds with each other by tight bond.
During the phase of composting enzymes are secreted by composter (earthworm and microbes), which brakes the biological bond between polymers.These polymers converted into simplest form as a result prepared organic waste becomes less dense and more porous (Hegarty and Curran, 1986).Our finding is also concordance with finding of Shoucheet.al.(2011).Result also shown that the rate of germination of seeds in raw organic waste was 47% but after maturity of vermicompost, germination rate was increased up to 80 %.Germination of seed is mainly affected by certain chemicals like phyto hormone and organic acid (Taylorson, 1987) ,1972).As soon as organic waste consumed then the availability of organic materials decreased and as a result it become less active and thin due to shortage of food.
IV. CONCLUSION The present study was focussed to utilization of Sandal wood leaf litters through earthworm and also evaluates the changes in various physicochemical parameters viz.Odour, heating, granule size, pH variation, colour, seed germination, health of earthworms, temperature variation, weight of biomass, density, and porosity.Our study, also confirmed that both Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugenia were effectual degrader of sandal wood leaf litter.Examination of various physicochemical parameters during vermicomposting by Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugeniaat different time intervals showed favourable changes in pH, ,moisture content, temperature etc. which are showed to be an important criteria for monitoring the efficient and quick degradation of leaf litter into high quality organic manure.It has been also proved that at beginning phase of pre-vermicomposting, physical parameters are too harsh not to be tolerate by earthworm therefore it is necessary to wait for favourable condition so that earthworm acclimatize own self in new condition.It should be also necessary to pay attention at the end of process because at this stage, food availability for earthworm is totally lost therefore for their survival it should be shift into new semi digested organic waste which is earthworm's foods. V.