Vermicomposting of Musa flaviflora Simmonds Pseudostem with Eiseniafetida: A Preliminary Study from Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Vermicomposting uses the combined activity of epigeic earthworms and microorganisms to transform biodegradable residues into a more stabilized organic material (Edwards et al., 2010; Domínguez & Edwards, 2011). Banana pseudostems are moisture-rich lignocellulosic residues that may provide a useful local feedstock for this process. This preliminary study examined whether pseudostem of the wild banana Musa flaviflora could be vermiprocessed under ambient conditions at Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. Fresh pseudostem was chopped, mixed with cow dung at a 3:1 fresh-weight ratio, pre-composted for 7 days and then inoculated with Eisenia fetida. Moisture was maintained at approximately 60–70% during a 90-day processing period. At harvest, the material was dark brown, granular and earthy-smelling. Chemical measurements of the final product were N 1.8%, available P 0.9%, exchangeable K 1.1%, organic carbon 18.5% and a C:N ratio of 10:1. Approximately 18 kg of material were recovered from an initial 30 kg wet substrate mixture, equivalent to about 60% wet-mass recovery. These observations indicate that M. flaviflora pseudostem can serve as a substrate for E. fetida-mediated processing when blended with cow dung. However, the study used only one experimental unit and did not include controls, initial substrate chemistry, germination index, pH or electrical conductivity. The findings should therefore be regarded as proof-of-concept observations rather than evidence of agronomic effectiveness. Replicated treatment comparisons and multi-parameter maturity assessment are required in subsequent work.