earthworms (e.g., mucus or casts), thus enhancing the decomposition efficiency of
FVW (Li et al. 2020).
As displayed in Fig. 9.4, the addition of EAS significantly increased the content
of total nitrogen in both substrate and bed compartments, except the bed compartment of the treatment for carrot. Similar results of the total phosphorus were also
revealed. The mineralization of the higher content of nitrogen and phosphorus in
substrate brought about by the addition of EAS, faster mass reduction rate of
substrate with the addition of EAS, the higher microbial activity, etc. are the main
reasons for the higher fertilizer value of the final product (Li et al. 2020).
200
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0
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Cabbage
Cabbage + EAS
EAS
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800
0
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Banana peels
Banana peels + EAS
EAS
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800
0
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Carrot
Carrot + EAS
EAS
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0
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Lettuce
Lettuce + EAS
EAS
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0
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Potato
Potato + EAS
EAS
Earthworm weight (mg/worm)
Time (day)
(b)
(a)
(d)
(c)
(e)
Fig. 9.1 Body weight changes of earthworm during vermicomposting of five types of FVW
including (a) banana peels, (b) cabbage, (c) lettuce, (d) carrot, and (e) potato with and without
the addition of EAS. FVW fruit and vegetable waste, EAS excess activated sludge
9 Vermicomposting Treatment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste and the Effect of the. . .
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