Nutrient recovery from pineapple waste through controlled batch and continuous vermicomposting systems

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Date
2021Author
Zziwa, Ahamada
Jjagwe, Joseph
Kizito, Simon
Kabenge, Isa
Komakech, Allan John
Kayondo, Henry
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The largest portion of pineapple peels and pulp generated from production points is disposed of haphazardly
contributing to a number of environmental and health challenges. However, these wastes contain valuable plant
nutrients that could be recovered to boost soil fertility, and increase agricultural production. This study evaluated
the variation in physico-chemical parameters in batch and continuous vermicomposting systems as potential
pathways for nutrient recovery from pineapple waste. The study compared the efficiency of waste reduction and
nutrient recovery for batch (B), and continuous (C) vermicomposting systems during a 60-day period. The
substrates were pineapple peels (PW), and cattle manure (CM) fed in a ratio of 4:1 (w/w). Control reactors were
fed with 100% CM in both the feeding modes. Results indicated that waste degradation was 60%, and 54% while
earthworm biomass increased by 57% and 129% for BPW, and CPW, respectively. pH significantly decreased
with time in both systems. Total phosphorous increased with vermicomposting time with that of B being
significantly higher than C systems. Nitrogen, potassium, and sodium significantly increased in the control experiments
while the three elements significantly reduced for BPW, and CPW owing to high leachate production in
the latter. The N, P, K, and C retention in vermicompost was 24.2%, 90.4%, 67.5%, 41.1%, and 32.6%, 91.2%,
79.3%, 46.1%, for BPW and CPW, respectively. Continuous systems produced higher earthworm biomass and
retained more nutrients in vermicompost than batch systems, and can therefore, be recommended as better
systems for pineapple waste vermicomposting.
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- Natural Sciences [675]