Physiochemical Analysis of Sandalwood (Santalum Album) Leaf Litters Degraded by Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugenia

Abstract

The decay of leaf litter by microflora and fauna furnish nutrient supply to the soil and also uphold ecological sustainability. Applying of proper technique and exploring of result provides information for the betterment of agricultural system. Vermicomposting of Sandalwood (Santalum album) leaf litters were studied with an emphasis of physio-chemical deviation during the process and also compared with 100 % cattle dung. Obtained result explore that temperate of 50 % leaf litter (LL) and 100 % cattle dung (CD) was slightly elevated (37ºC ±1 ºC and 35ºC ±1 ºC respectively) at beginning phase and later came down to ambient level (20ºC±1 ºC). The total organic carbon (TOC) exhausted 44 % in 50 % LL Vermicomposting mixture while 70 % in 100 % CD during the process. At the final stage, TOC found more in 50% LL as compared to 100% CD. Nitrogen content was found 1.02±0.1 in 50 % LL and 0.88±0.1 in 100 % CD at the initial phase but after completion of Vermicomposting, their level was increased up to 40 to 44 %. pH was also measured during vermicomposting and found 7.2±0.1 in 50% LL while 8.4±0.1 in 100% CD at the initial phase. The at the end of process pH raised and set up to 8.2 ±0.1 in 50% LL while in 100% CD it was found 8.0 ±0.1.