UTILIZATION OF BIODEGRADABLE KITCHEN WASTES INTO ORGANIC

FERTILIZER USING EARTHWORMS (LUMBRICUS TERRESTRIS)

ABSTRACT

One of the effective means to at least lessen the occurrence of our present garbage
disposal problem is through the use of methods that are non-toxic, less expensive, lees-
harmful, and yet equally effective. This project aims to provide for a natural and effective
way of disposing garbage.

During the experiment, kitchen wastes were collected. The materials were
shredded and placed in garbage bags with small holes. The temperature inside the bags
was allowed to lower.

Three set-ups were prepared and were covered with plastic. The first box
contained pure carabao manure, the second box contained 70 percent carabao manure and
30 percent processed kitchen wastes and the third box contained pure processed kitchen
wastes. Lumbricus terrestris was placed in each set-up. The boxes were placed in a
lighted area while maintaining their moisture. After drying, the Lumbricus terrestris were
gathered. The resultant product, called “earthworm castings,” were then sun-dried and
passed through a fine sieve to remove foreign materials.

Results showed that the castings from kitchen wastes and manure was highest in
percentage total nitrogen, third highest in percentage total P2O5, and highest in
percentage and highest in percentage total K2O.

It was concluded that organic kitchen wastes could be converted into a

competitive organic fertilizer using Lumbricus terrestris. The organic fertilizer produced
by using earthworms can compete in terms of nutrient contents with other organic
fertilizers.

INTRODUCTION

A good alternative in solving our garbage problem is vermicomposing, the

process in which organic wastes are decomposed naturally with the use of earthworms.

This project focuses on the efficient decomposition of organic kitchen wastes

using Lumbricus terrestris and converting these wastes into organic fertilizer that can
compete in terms of nutrient with other organic fertilizers.

This project provides additional research material in using earthworms as agents

for decomposition of organic wastes. It aims to provide better and simpler means of
waste disposal while producing something useful –organic fertilizer.
 This project only tested the macronutrient contents of the harvested earthworm
castings and compared them with those of other organic fertilizers. This proposal,
however, did not include tests for macronutrient contents and other qualities of the
castings produced. Also, this proposal did not test whether different waste materials
produce different nutrient content for the castings.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Vermicomposing is the culture of earthworms in a composting system. The

earthworms ingest organic matter as well as soil. As these materials pass through the
earthworm’s body, they are mixed with digestive enzymes and reduced by the grinding
action within the animal. The organic matter comes out of the earthworms as castings that
contain plant nutrients. To work well, the earthworms prefer a well-aerated but moist
habitat. They thrive well where farm manure or plant residues had been added to the soil.
Most of them thrive best where the soil is not too acidic (Brandy, 1990).

Apelhof, as cited by Blackgold Vericompost Manufacturing Corporation (BVMC,

1987), reported that the Lumbricus terrestris, one of the 3000 species of earthworms
presently identified, caught the interest of agriculturist and other earth worm enthusiasts.
The Lumbricus terrestris or the African night crawler has a deep maroon shade, and
measures from 4 to 12 inches in length.

Composting produces essential nutrients for plant growth. These nutrients are
classified into macro and micronutrients. Relatively large amounts of macronutrients are
required whereas micronutrients are required in small amounts only. These elements must
be present in right proportions for when there is deficiency or excess of any element, this
may seriously affect plant growth. The plants would develop symptoms of starvation or
toxicity. The macronutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Every living
cell contains nitrogen and its abundance leads to green, succulent growth. Phosphorus
occurs in the protoplasm, with its great concentration in seeds thereby increasing their
production. Potassium influences the uptake of other elements and affects both
respiration and transpiration (Fitzpatrick, 1974).

METHODOLOGY

Kitchen wastes, composed mainly of vegetable and fruit peelings, were gathered,
shredded, and placed in garbage bags with small holes. Temperature build-up inside the
bags due to partial decomposition was measured and allowed to lower down for one
month until three consecutive declining of temperature were achieved.

Three set-ups measuring 15 x 18 inches were prepared and were covered with
plastic. One box contained pure carabao manure, the other box contained 70 percent
carabao manure and 30 percent processed kitchen wastes and the last box contained pure
processed kitchen wastes. About one hundred pieces of Lumbricus terrestris were placed
in each set-up. The boxes were placed in a lighted area to prevent the worms from
escaping since the worms are light sensitive. The set-ups were checked daily and watered
to keep moisture. Upon consumption of the contents of the boxes, as evidenced by the
appearance of brown granular structures, the set-ups were spread on newspapers under
the sunlight. The Lumbricus terrestris were gathered. The resultant product called
“earthworm castings,” were then sun-dried and passed through fine sieve to remove
foreign materials.
A laboratory analysis on the macrocontent of the earthworm castings was
conducted by the Solis Department of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, La Carlota
City, Negros Occidental. The nutrient contents were then compared with those of other
organic fertilizers.

RESULTS AND DICUSSIONS

During the production of earthworm castings, the Lumbricus terrestris placed in

the box, which contained pure processed kitchen waste, were found dead after one day.
The death of the earthworms can be attributed to the acidity of the kitchen wastes. As
organic matter decomposes, inorganic and organic acids are formed.

Carbonic acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are some of the acid formed by the
organic decaying process. High concentrations of these acids may have caused the deaths
of the earthworms in the set-up using pure kitchen wastes.

Both the castings harvested from the set-up that contained pure manure and from
the set up which contained mixture of manure and kitchen wastes were tested for their
Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium micronutrient value. The results were compared with
those of other available fertilizers.

SOURCE TOTAL K2O %TOTAL N %TOTAL P205

CASTINGS FROM 0.907 0.827 1.099

KITCHEN WASTES
AND MANURE

CASTINGS FROM 0.637 0.891 0.425

MANURE ONLY

KITCHEN WASTES 0.494 0.742 0.726

WITH TRICHODERMA

FARMER’S ORGANIC 0.794 1.626 0.958

FERTILIZER
 The results showed that the castings from kitchen wastes and manure ranked first
in percentage total nitrogen and K2O and ranked third in percentage total P2O5. But this
doesn’t mean that the castings produced would be very efficient in promoting plant
growth because nutrient content of most organic fertilizers are usually in slow availability
form when added in the soil. Nitrogen is held by soil colloids. Phosphorus compounds are
mostly unavailable for plant uptake, some being insoluble forms that in time become
quite unavailable for plant absorption.

Fortunately over time, potassium can be released to exchangeable form that can
be quickly absorbed by plant roots.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Earthworm castings form kitchen wastes mixed with manure can compete with
other organic fertilizers. Organic kitchen wastes can therefore be converted into
competitive organic fertilizer using Lumbricus terrestris.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The study made use of only one specie of earthworm – Lumbricus terrestris.
Other untested species may produce significant results. Also, the use of specific kitchen
wastes or other organic trash as earthworm feed is recommended. This may have an
effect on the chemical and physical composition of the castings and their use as an
organic fertilizer.