Composting of Municipal Solid Waste Using Earthworms and Ligno-Cellulolytic Microbial Consortia for Reclamation of the Degraded Sodic Soils and Harnessing Their Productivity Potential

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the reclamation degraded sodic soils are two serious environmental socio-economic problems experienced by developing nations. To overcome these problems, a technology has been developed for composting MSW using earthworm ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortia its utilization sustainable soils, as well harnessing their productivity potential. standardize on-farm under aerobic conditions, field experiment consisted seven treatment combinations, replicated thrice with sole in combination agricultural wastes (AW) treated earthworms (Eisenia foetida) lingo-cellulolytic microbes such Aspergillus spp., Trichoderma spp. Bacillus It was conducted at ICAR-CSSRI, Research farm, Shivri, Lucknow, India. results revealed that thermophilic phase achieved 60 days thereafter temperature decreased. Marked changes pH EC were found they changed from acidic to neutral. reduction total C, initial maturity, varied 4.45 14.14% increase P K 4.88 88.10% 12.00 35.71%, respectively. nutrient-rich quality compost based on lowest C: N ratio, highest nutrient contents, population (bacteria fungi) enzymatic activities obtained mix AW, enriched microbes. efficacy this evaluated potential sustaining rice-wheat cropping system harnessed through combined application reduced dose gypsum. indicated @10 t ha−1 conjunction quantity gypsum (25% GR) significantly (p < 0.05) improved physico-chemical soil properties, enhanced over use only This study proved can be an alternate solution useful disposal MSW, thereby improving health soils.