hyacinth feed mixture with the help of E. fetida (Gupta et al. 2007). Bhattacharya
and Chattopadhyay (2004) and Ananthakrishnasamy et al. (2009) found that P
content was increased at the end product of vermicomposting. It is found that the
earthworms are helpful in increasing the phosphorus content during the
vermicomposting of fly ash (Bhattacharya and Chattopadhyay 2002). It is the main
and basic component of all types of genetic material (DNA and RNA), and it is
common in all living beings. So, it is also helpful for plant and microbial growth,
which is also good for soil health.
17.5.3 Potassium Content
Many researchers have found that the earthworms are helpful in increasing the
potassium content in the fly ash during vermicomposting (Singh et al. 2016; Usmani
et al. 2017). The microbial action inside the gut of the earthworm brings the
decomposition and mineralization processes, which in turn increases the potassium
content in the vermicompost (Kaviraj and Sharma 2003; Delgado and Mora 1995;
Gunjal and Nikam 1992; Suthar 2006; Pattnaik and Reddy 2010). It is very useful in
good plant growth as the potassium is helpful to regulate the osmotic variation
according to changing seasons through stomatal movement.
17.6 Impacts of Earthworms on C/N Ratio
Earthworms have the potential to decrease the C/N ratio during vermicomposting,
which is very important for the soil and plant health. They have capabilities to
decrease the carbon and increase the nitrogen content. So, at the end product of
earthworm-assisted vermicomposting, the C/N ratio decreases by the decomposition
process of microorganisms (Wu et al. 2016; Wu et al. 2017).
17.7 Potential to Remove Heavy Metals (Detoxification)
Earthworms consist of chloragocytes cells and intestinal microflora, which have the
capacity to remove the heavy metal concentrations. It is accomplished via the
accumulation of these toxic heavy metals into the earthworm’s tissues (Bhattacharya
and Chattopadhyay 2006). It is also reported that as time increases, the rate of heavy
metal reduction also increases (Shahmansouri et al. 2005). Heavy metal contents are
found to decrease in water-hyacinth-based vermicompost (Gupta et al. 2007).
290
B. Sohal and A. P. Vig
and Chattopadhyay (2004) and Ananthakrishnasamy et al. (2009) found that P
content was increased at the end product of vermicomposting. It is found that the
earthworms are helpful in increasing the phosphorus content during the
vermicomposting of fly ash (Bhattacharya and Chattopadhyay 2002). It is the main
and basic component of all types of genetic material (DNA and RNA), and it is
common in all living beings. So, it is also helpful for plant and microbial growth,
which is also good for soil health.
17.5.3 Potassium Content
Many researchers have found that the earthworms are helpful in increasing the
potassium content in the fly ash during vermicomposting (Singh et al. 2016; Usmani
et al. 2017). The microbial action inside the gut of the earthworm brings the
decomposition and mineralization processes, which in turn increases the potassium
content in the vermicompost (Kaviraj and Sharma 2003; Delgado and Mora 1995;
Gunjal and Nikam 1992; Suthar 2006; Pattnaik and Reddy 2010). It is very useful in
good plant growth as the potassium is helpful to regulate the osmotic variation
according to changing seasons through stomatal movement.
17.6 Impacts of Earthworms on C/N Ratio
Earthworms have the potential to decrease the C/N ratio during vermicomposting,
which is very important for the soil and plant health. They have capabilities to
decrease the carbon and increase the nitrogen content. So, at the end product of
earthworm-assisted vermicomposting, the C/N ratio decreases by the decomposition
process of microorganisms (Wu et al. 2016; Wu et al. 2017).
17.7 Potential to Remove Heavy Metals (Detoxification)
Earthworms consist of chloragocytes cells and intestinal microflora, which have the
capacity to remove the heavy metal concentrations. It is accomplished via the
accumulation of these toxic heavy metals into the earthworm’s tissues (Bhattacharya
and Chattopadhyay 2006). It is also reported that as time increases, the rate of heavy
metal reduction also increases (Shahmansouri et al. 2005). Heavy metal contents are
found to decrease in water-hyacinth-based vermicompost (Gupta et al. 2007).
290
B. Sohal and A. P. Vig