ICAR-DPR and ICAR-CRIDA developed Poultry Litter Compost and Vermicompost by Mixing Paddy Straw - Wealth out of Waste

The Intensive Poultry production results in the generation of a large quantity of Poultry Litter. If the litter is disposed-off in the field without any treatment, it may cause environmental pollution. The problem can be solved by utilizing the litter for the productive purposes. The Poultry Litter generated could be successfully converted into Compost by mixing it with the Paddy Straw in a proper ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N ratio) content present in the litter and the Paddy Straw. Finally, the Vermicompost was developed from the compost by introducing the Earthworms into the pile of Compost.

Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, Director Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad and his Team in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad could convert the Poultry Litter Waste to Wealth.

i) Vermicompost preparation with C/N ratio of 35:1

The Compost was prepared having the C/N ratio of 35:1 by mixing the Poultry Litter with Paddy Straw having Relative Humidity - 45%, pH - 5.5 and Temperature - 32⁰C. Around 6 Kgs of litter was mixed with 40 Kgs of Paddy Straw. The humidity was maintained at around 45%. The temperature was changing due to the growth of the microbes inside the pile. The Compost was ready on the 47^th day. Once the compost was ready, the Earthworms were introduced into the pile of Compost for converting it into Vermicompost. The final product (Vermicompost) was ready on the 45^th day after the introduction of Earthworms. The Relative Humidity was 50%, pH was 5.5 and Temperature was 24⁰C on the 45^th day.

ii) Vermicompost preparation with C/N ratio of 30:1

The Compost was prepared having the C/N ratio of 30:1 by mixing the Litter with the Paddy Straw as a supplement having Relative Humidity - 45%, pH - 5.5 and Temperature - 32⁰C. Around 8.7 Kgs of litter was mixed with 40 Kgs of Paddy Straw. The Compost was ready on the 47^th day. Once the Compost was ready, the Earthworms were introduced into the pile of Compost for converting it into Vermicompost. The final product (Vermicompost) was ready on the 45^th day after the introduction of Earthworms. The Relative Humidity was 50%, pH was 5.5 and Temperature of the pile was 25⁰C on the final day.

iii) Vermicompost preparation with C/N ratio of 25:1

The Compost was prepared having the C/N ratio of 25:1 by mixing the Litter with the Paddy Straw as a supplement having Relative Humidity - 45%, pH - 5.0 and Temperature - 31⁰C. About 14.3 Kgs of litter was mixed with 40 Kgs of Paddy Straw. The Compost was ready on the 47^th day. After the Compost was ready, the Earthworms were introduced into the pile for converting it into Vermicompost. The final product (Vermicompost) was ready on the 45^th day after the introduction of Earthworms. The Relative Humidity was 50%, pH was 5.5 and Temperature was 25⁰C on the final day of the Vermicompost formation.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad)