A STUDY ON DECOMPOSITION OF TEMPLE WASTE USING FUNGAL FORMULATIONS AND EVALUATING THE SURVIVAL RATE OF EARTHWORMS

Proper management of organic waste is one of the most important problem of human society. Enormous quantity of organic wastes is generated on a daily basis, most of which is thrown in open areas, water bodies (rivers, streams or drainage systems) or on the roads which contaminates the environment. Therefore, pollution free, odor free and disease-free disposal and management of temple waste needs more attention. The present was designed to study the decomposition of temple waste using formulation, evaluation of survivability earthworms and to find out the best possible method of decomposition. A series of six experiments were conducted for the purpose of temple floral waste degradation using different setups (experimental trays) and having different combinations of temple floral waste, cattle dung, leaves and Trichoderma viride. First three sets were without Trichoderma viride while other three were treated with Trichoderma viride. Furthermore, experimental series were accompanied to assess the survival rate of Eisenia fetida using different sets and varied combinations of temple floral waste, cattle dung and leaves. However, significantly higher decomposition rate was observed in Set-IV (TW: D+ T. viride). Though, highest number of adults, cocoons and juveniles were observed in set-III (TW: D). It was concluded that temple waste alone is not a suitable substrate for vermicomposting and it should be blended with other suitable waste materials such as dung and Trichoderma viride in appropriate proportions. Moreover, in temple waste earthworms could not survive due to high amounts of pigmented constituents.