Wastepaper as substrates for African night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg)

Paper Details

Research Paper 06/07/2025
Views (359)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Wastepaper as substrates for African night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg)

Edwin C. Dela Cruz, Ashlie Tagle, Yolina T. Castaneto
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(1), 13-20, July 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

The study assessed the different wastepaper as substrates for Eudrilus eugeniae. The study was carried out at the Center for Environmental Resources Management and Sustainable Development (CERMSD), College of Forestry, Environment and Resources Management (CFERM), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. A Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used with six treatments and four replications. A study used different wastepaper such as bond, notebook, carton, newsprint mixed with goat manure in 1:2 ratio.  Results revealed that different wastepaper like bond paper, notebook, carton, newsprint can be successfully used as substrate for African night crawler. However, the different wastepaper had a substantial effect on the weight of vermicompost produced and the percent recovery, newsprint and goat manure in 2:1 ratio gave significantly highest weight of the vermicompost produced and highest percent recovery. Hence, this substrate is recommended for vermicomposting using goat manure. Laboratory analysis of   vermicompost as to its NPK content, nitrogen gave 0. 87% to 1.05%, for phosphorus amounted to 0.57135% to 1.06027%, and potassium measured 0.001471% to 0.001639%.  From the result the NPK content of the different treatments is low.  Regardless of the amount of nutrients contained in these substrates, these can help in enhancing soil fertility and is vital for plant growth and development. At the same time, through this process, the paper waste problem can be addressed while producing vermicompost that can be used as an organic fertilizer.

Aira M, Monroy F, Domínguez J. 2006. Changes in microbial biomass and microbial activity of pig slurry after the transit through the gut of Eisenia fetida and the effect on the survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Bioresource Technology 97(4), 548-554.

Atiyeh RM, Domínguez J, Subler S, Edwards CA. 2000. Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during processing by Eisenia andrei (Bouche) and the effects on seedling growth. Pedobiologia 44(6), 709–724.

Ayilara MS, Olanrewaju OS, Babalola OO, Odeyemi O. 2020. Waste management through composting: Challenges and potentials. Sustainability 12(11), 4456.

Castaňeto YT, Castaneto ET. 2005. Vermicomposting using waste papers as substrates for African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae). International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 5(6), 692–695. http://dx.doi.org/10.21275/v5i6.NOV164171

Domínguez J, Edwards CA. 2011. Biology and ecology of earthworm species used for vermicomposting. In: Edwards CA, Arancon NQ, Sherman R. (Eds.), Vermiculture technology: Earthworms, organic wastes, and environmental management, pp. 27-40. CRC Press.

Edwards CA, Arancon NQ. 2004. The use of earthworms in the breakdown and management of organic wastes. In: Edwards CA. (Ed.), Earthworm ecology, 2nd ed., pp. 345–379. CRC Press.

Gunadi B, Edwards CA. 2003. The effect of multiple applications of different organic wastes on the growth, fecundity and survival of Eisenia fetida (Savigny) in vermicomposting systems. Pedobiologia 47(4), 321–330. https://doi.org/10.1078/0031-4056-00192

Kabi F, Kayima D, Kigozi A, Mpingirika EZ, Kayiwa R, Okello D. 2020. Effect of different organic substrates on reproductive biology, growth rate and offtake of the African night crawler earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae). Organic Agriculture 10, 395–407.

Macabuhay MA, Abellera MT, Ticsay AE. 2016. Development of an automated production of African night crawler’s vermicast with Android application. In: Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 1.

Parayno P, Busmente MG. 2005. Integration of solid waste management tools in specific European and Asian communities (ISTEAC). Environmental Studies Institute. Retrieved from https://www.semanticscholar.org

Pramanik P, Ghosh GK, Ghosal PK, Banik P. 2010. Changes in organic-C, N, P, and K and enzymatic activities in vermicompost of biodegradable organic wastes under liming and microbial inoculants. Bioresource Technology 101(13), 4462-4470.

Rose EN, Pasion BJ, Camille E, Lourdes E, Marites C. 2022. Production of vermicast using various organic waste materials by African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) cultured on portable bin. The Quest: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 1(2).

Sarimong RT, Legaspi SJ. 2019. Yield and quality of vermicomposting using African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg) with different nitrogen sources and substrate combinations. IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation 27(1), 1–1.

Sharma K, Garg VK, Dhuria M. 2020. Bio-optimization of the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for efficient vermicomposting of chicken manure and waste paper using Eisenia fetida. Bioresource Technology 296, 122275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122275

Suthar S. 2008. Bioconversion of post-harvest crop residues and cattle shed manure into value-added products using earthworm Eisenia fetida. Ecological Engineering 32(3), 206–214.

Suthar S. 2009. Vermicomposting of vegetable-market solid waste using epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida: Impact on waste biodegradation and microbial and enzyme activities. Bioresource Technology 100(4), 1198-1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.06.020

Tababa J. 2023. Nature’s recyclers: The role of African night crawlers and black soldier flies in composting. Retrieved from https://agriculture.com.ph/2023/10/04/natures-recyclers-the-role-of-african-night-crawlers-and-black-soldier-flies-in-composting

Related Articles

Protective effect of polyherbal formula nalpamaram on the ethanol-induced toxicity in Hep G2 cell lines

S. Jyothilekshmi, Jini Joseph, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 137-142, November 2025.

Household socio-agricultural profiles and the adoption of crop protection strategies in human-wildlife conflict contexts: Insights from western Côte d’Ivoire around mount Sangbé National Park

Koffi Kouamé Christophe, Ouffoue Affoué Eugénie Naomie, Gagbé Dalié Sylvestre, Beda Alex, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 91-103, November 2025.

Influence of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on pollen germination and tube growth in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

Abhijit Limaye, Shreya Mulay, Jidnyasa Jangale, Rasadnya Joshi, Swapna Sathe, Kishor Bhosale, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 85-90, November 2025.

Genetic diversity of parasitoids and entomopathogenic nematodes of Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Senegal

Farma Fall Babou, Toffène Diome, Mama Racky Ndiaye, Mbacké Sembene, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 69-84, November 2025.

Environmental and socio-economic impacts of pollution by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms in the waters of Dams No. 2 and No. 3 in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Florent Y. Lankoande, Jerome T. Yameogo, Asseta Tabsoba, S. E. I. Bama, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 59-68, November 2025.

Evaluation of grains and haulms production of soybean varieties in production areas with high livestock potentiality in Benin

Assouan Gabriel Bonou, Alain Sèakpo Yaoitcha, Serge Aklinon, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(5), 51-58, November 2025.