The population size of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae necessary for good stabilization of cashew residues was studied in this experiment. Thus, cashew apples and leaves separately and their mixtures with cow dung were mineralized with 5, 10, 15 and 20 individuals of the African nightcrawler E. eugeniae. Total organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), C:N ratio, pH, total potassium (K) and total available phosphorus (P) were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of the vermicomposting. The cocoons and earthworms numbers at the end of the experiment were also investigated. The pH was in the good range when mixing cashew residues with cow dung. C/N ratio showed good stabilization of the wastes CaA CD, CaL CD, and CaA CaL CD with 5, 10, 15 and 20 individuals of E. eugeniae at 2 or 3 months of vermicomposting. The results of this study may help in recycling cashew residues into organic fertilizer through vermicomposting when using the earthworms species E. eugeniae.
Cite this paper
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