Environmental and Social Advantages to On-Site andLocal Vermicomposting of Food and Agricultural Waste

This paper is a distillation of thirty-plus years of experience,experimentation,and observations,gleaned while designing,setting up,nunning,refining,and training people to run indoor vemicomposting systems.The objectives of this study are to reduce thevolume of food waste going into the waste stream;produce ligh quality organic fertilizer,improve soil heath,reduce waste-haulingcosts;encourage community members to move away from using chemical fertilizers,herbicides,and pesticides,in their gardens.Thishas been,essentially,a long-term,crowd-conducted,wide-ranging.and ongoing experiment.The design of a system is important,butthe way it is run is more important.For some people,prison inmates,for example,leaning to nun a vermicomposting system,can belife-and mind-altering.

Influence of vermicomposting on solid wastes decomposition kinetics in soils

The effect of vermicomposting on kinetic behavior of the products is not well recognized. An incubation study was conducted to investigate C mineralization kinetics of cow manure, sugarcane filter cake and their vermicomposts. Two different soils were treated with the four solid wastes at a rate of 0.5 g solid waste C per kg soil with three replications. Soils were incubated for 56 d. The CO2-C respired was monitored periodically and a first-order kinetic model was used to calculate the kinetic pa-rameters of C mineralization. Results indicated that the percentage of C mineralized during the incubation period ranged from 31.9% to 41.8% and 55.9% to 73.4% in the calcareous and acidic soils, respectively. The potentially mineralizable C (C0) of the treated soils was lower in the solid waste composts compared to their starting materials. Overall, it can be concluded that de-composable fraction of solid wastes has decreased due to vermicomposting.

An Experimental Study of Vermicomposting with Earthworm （Eisenia foetida） Growth in Edible Mushrooms Wastes

Every year mushroom wastes are produced in big volumes from edible mushroom production industries. Vermicomposting technology using earthworms as versatile natural bioreactors for effective recycling of organic wastes to the soil is an environmentally acceptable means of converting waste into nutritious composts for crop production. This study was undertaken to use earthworms （eisenia foetida） in vermicomposting on edible mushrooms wastes. The Randomized block design with three treatments in Kimia, Sabalan and Artashahr mushroom production industries were selected and four replications were applied for treatments. The total biomass of earthworms was estimated by counting the number of adults, juveniles and cocoons from each replication. The number of adult and mature worms, egg capsules and wet weight of earthworms were recorded in one month intervals （totally in five months）. Vermicomposting was carried out by these worms in four months in spite of delay in their establishment in mushroom wastes. The worms wet weight, their number and the number of capsules were increased up to fourth month and then decreased. The produced vermicompost had suitable properties for amending soil.

Feasibility of housefly larvae-mediated vermicomposting for recycling food waste added digestate as additive

The development of methods for the efficient treatment and application of food waste digestate is an important research goal.Vermicomposting via housefly larvae is an efficient way to reduce food waste and achieve its valorization,however,studies on the application and performance of digestate in vermicomposting are rarely.The present study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the co-treatment of food waste and digestate as an additive via larvae.Restaurant food waste(RFW)and household food waste(HFW)were selected to assess the effects of waste type on vermicomposting performance and larval quality.Waste reduction rates of 50.9%–57.8%were observed in the vermicomposting of food waste mixed with digestate at a ratio of 25%,which were slightly lower than those for treatments without the addition of digestate(62.8%–65.9%).The addition of digestate increased the germination index,with a maximum value of 82%in the RFW treatments with 25%digestate,and decreased the respiration activity,with a minimum value of 30 mg-O_(2)/g-TS.The larval productivity of 13.9%in the RFW treatment system with a digestate rate of 25%was lower that without digestate(19.5%).Materials balance shows that larval biomass and metabolic equivalent had decreasing trends as the amount of digestate increased and HFW vermicomposting exhibited lower bioconversion efficiency than that of RFW treatment system regardless of the addition of digestate.These results suggest that mixing digestate at a low ratio(25%)during vermicomposting of foodwaste especially RFW could lead to considerable larval biomass and generate relatively stable residues.

Biological weathering of phlogopite during enriched vermicomposting

As the dominant macrofauna in many soils,earthworms play a significant role in mineral weathering and nutrient release from mineral structures into available forms for root uptake.Phlogopite is a trioctahedral micaceous mineral that can be weathered to other minerals through release of its interlayer potassium(K).In this study,we investigated the effect of earthworm activities and associated microbial communities on phlogopite weathering during the production of phlogopite-enriched vermicompost with different quantities of phlogopite added.An experiment was run under laboratory conditions using three levels of phlogopite(0,20%and 40%by weight)in triplicates.Each Petri dish contained 20 g of a mixture of cow manure and phlogopite,and vermicomposting process was performed by inoculation of eight Eisenia foetida earthworms.Changes in clay mineralogy and C/N ratio in each dish were assessed at days 0,45,90,135,and 180 during vermicomposting.The results indicated that phlogopite was partially weathered to vermiculite and interstratified mica-vermiculite during the vermicomposting process.The rate of weathering was higher during the early stages of vermicomposting(the first 90 d).The weathering of phlogopite was influenced considerably by the activity of earthworms and associated microbial communities during the organic matter transformation process.At the early stages of the process,the weathering rate for different levels of phlogopite was not significantly different,but over time it accelerated steadily,and the difference increased.

Evaluation of Cobalt Application Combined with Gypsum and Compost as a Regulator of Cabbage Plant Tolerance to Soil Salinity

In response to the global food crisis and the imperative to address soil degradation, the international agricultural policy is actively working to alleviate the adverse impacts of soil salinity. As part of this initiative, a field trial spanning two consecutive seasons (2019/20-2020/21) was conducted under saline conditions. The primary objective was to evaluate the influence of various compost sources, including vermicompost at a rate of 0.5 ton·fed-1 and plant residues compost at a rate of 5.0 ton·fed-1, as main plots. Subplots were established by applying agricultural gypsum, both in the presence and absence of gypsum requirements. Additionally, sub-subplots were created by externally applying cobalt at a rate of 10.0 mg·L-1, with one sub-subplot receiving foliar cobalt application and the other not. The trial sought to assess the growth performance, chemical composition, enzymatic antioxidants, yield, and quality of cabbage plants (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) cultivated in saline soil. According to the findings, cabbage plants exhibited the most favorable response in terms of plant height, chlorophyll content, carotene levels, leaf area, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), head yield, vitamin C, and total dissolved solids (TDS) when treated with vermicompost, followed by plant compost. Conversely, plants grown without compost exhibited the least improvement in performance. Cabbage treated with agricultural gypsum requirements showed better performance than those without gypsum amendment. Moreover, plants subjected to cobalt spray demonstrated the highest growth, yield, and quality parameters compared to those without cobalt foliar application. In contrast, the control group (plants without the studied treatments) displayed the highest levels of enzymatic antioxidants, specifically catalase and peroxidase. This indicates that soil salinity stress led to an increase in catalase and peroxidase production in cabbage plants as a defense against the harmful impact of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from soil salinity stress. The applied treatments (compost, gypsum, and cobalt) led to a reduction in the cabbage plant’s inherent production of catalase and peroxidase. Generally, the combined treatment of vermicompost × gypsum requirements × cobalt proved effective in mitigating the detrimental effects of soil salinity on cabbage plants. These findings hold significance for farmers and policymakers aiming to enhance agricultural productivity in regions affected by soil salinity. Additionally, further research can explore the long-term effects of these treatments on soil health and crop sustainability.

Effects of Vermicompost on Agronomic Characters and Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

The effects of vermicompost on the agronomic characters and yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were investigated. The results showed that, the field growth periods of various treatments were 117-118 d, 1-2 days longer than that of the CK. The numbers of effective leaves of the treatments applied with vermicompost were 0.1-0.3 leaf more than the CK. The highest yield and the highest proportion of high-grade tobacco occurred in treatment 3 as 2 095.5 kg/m^2 and 49%, respectively, which were higher than those in the CK by 6.58 kg and 5.3%. In conclusion, the treatment with the application of vermicompost at 7 500-10 500 kg/hm^2 was the best.

Feasibility of a novel vermitechnology using vermicast as substrate for activated sludge disposal by two epigeic earthworm species

This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of vermicomposting by using vermicast as the substrate for the stabilization of municipal activated sludge, called hereafter as direct vermistabilization, in which the pre-treatment and bulking materials required in previous practices were all omitted. For this purpose, two epigeic earthworm species, namely Eisenia foetida and Bimastus parvus, were inoculated into substrate for composting fresh dewatered activated sludge. Direct vermistabilization resulted in significant reductions in pH, TOC, C/N ratio and the content of heavy metals, as well as increases in EC, total N, total P and total K in the final vermicast. Moreover, both Eisenia foetida and Bimastus parvus showed faster growth rate and higher cocoon production. The results of this study suggest that the direct vermistabilization has the advantages of being simple, cost-effective and efficient, and can thus be used as a feasible vermicomposting approach to convert fresh dewatered activated sludge into a valuable product for agricultural use. The results also suggest that Bimastus parvus can be used as a new potential candidate for vermicomposting of municipal activated sludge.

The Role of Biofertilization in Improving Apple Productivity―A Review

Biofertilization of crops with plant growth promoting microorganisms is currently considered as a healthy alternative to chemical fertilization. Biofertilizers are microbial preparations containing living cells of different microorganisms which have the ability to mobilize plant nutrients in soil from unusable to usable form. They are environmentally friendly, play a significant role in the crop production, help to build up the lost microflora and improve the soil health. Also, they increase crop yield by 20% - 30%, stimulate plant growth, are cost effective and provide optimal conditions for soil biological activity. They suppress pathogenic soil organisms, restore natural soil fertility and provide protection against drought and some soil borne diseases. Moreover, they degrade toxic organic chemicals, improve seed germination and aid in balancing soil pH in reducing soil erosion.

The Potential of Subsurface Infiltration for the Treatment of Biofil Toilet Technology Effluent

Generally discharges from on-site sanitation （OSS） system could be a source of pollution to the environment if not well managed. This work illustrates the potential of subsurface infiltration to treat secondary effluent from a novel on-site vermi-biofiltration system called the Biofil Toilet Technology （BTT）. In practice, the BTT effluent is discharged via sub-surface infiltration. The focus of the research was to determine possible contaminant removal within the first 1.5 m depth of soil column. To achieve this objective, laboratory scale soil columns were designed and constructed for the treatment of secondary domestic wastewater from the BTT. Four different soil columns, each with 1.5 m depth of soil （sandy soil--SS, loamy soil--LS, clayey soil----CS, and red laterite soil--RLS） and fifth column with 0.45 m multi-layer sand filter were constructed and characterized. The columns were fed with the BTT effluent and sampled at ports spaced at 0.3 m, 0.8 m, and 1.5 m depths. Using the samples, parameters like COD, BODs, TSS, T-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, PO4-P, and pathogenic indicator microbes were monitored. RLS and SS columns efficiently removed COD, BODs, and TSS from the BTT effluent below the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency （GH EPA） guideline values. Up to 99% COD removal were observed in RLS column. A two to five log pathogen removal was recorded for the soil columns. The RLS and SS were found to have a high efficacy for contaminant removal with up to 80% of all contaminants being removed at a depth of 0.3 m along the soil columns. Thus the subsurface infiltration system can serve as a promising technology for the BTT effluent treatment. The study recommends the incorporation of infiltration systems to the BTT especially for areas with high water table or clayey soils.

Nutrient and Microbial Reduction Properties in Pervious Composites for Blackwater Treatment

The focus of this experiment was to compare the treatment performance of nutrient and microbial reduction in granite （GR）, shredded polyethylene terephthalate （SP） and palm kernel shell （PKS） composites after solid/liquid separation of blackwater. Laboratory tests were conducted on replicated specimens of the GR, SP, and PKS pervious composites and the mechanisms of microbial reductions and nutrient transformation in blackwater treatment investigated after filtration. Six cylindrical specimens measuring 1 l0 mm x 100 mm and made from the GR, SP, and PKS were used to determine the physical and hydrologic properties （density and permeability） of the specimens. Additional six pervious specimens measuring 0.3 m x 0.3 m ~ 0.05 mm were used for the solid/liquid separation of blackwater. Blackwater was first infiltrated through a layer of coir fibre and net lining and then run through each pervious composite specimen. Nutrient （ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus） and microbial （Escherichia coli and coliforms） analyses were conducted on the effluent from the specimens and compared. The GR, SP, and PKS particle sizes were seen to be uniformly graded and similar. The composite specimens did not have significant effects on the nutrient transformations and removal of organic matter but for total phosphorus. However, escherichia coli and other coliforms＇s growth were limited in the SP. Hydrophobic interactions between the SP composite and microbial cells of the microbes could have promoted attachment and limited their growth. It was observed that the mean pH in the effluent filtered through the composites was higher than in the influent partly due to the availability of calcium carbonate in the cement. The study suggests that the SP composite is a promising alternative to the GR composite for the reduction of microbial constituents in blackwater vis-a-vis its light-weight compared to the other pervious composites.

Evaluation of proline, chlorophyll, soluble sugar content and uptake of nutrients in the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under drought stress and organic fertilizer treatments

Objective: To investigate the effect of drought stress and organic fertilizer on German chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla) nutrient uptake, leaf chlorophyll content and osmotic adjustment under field conditions.Methods: This experiment was carried out through a randomized complete block design with a split factorial arrangement of treatments in three replications. The main plots were subjected to the following irrigation treatments: irrigation after 60, 90, 120, 150 and180 mm evaporation from Class A pan. The sub-plots were treated with three vermicompost doses(0, 5 and 10 t/ha).Results: Although drought stress reduced the nutrient percentages in the shoots, application of vermicompost enhanced the nutrient percentages, particularly when the plants were subjected to moderate to severe drought stress conditions. Moreover, the results of this study showed that the interaction between irrigation treatments and vermicompost rates on leaf chlorophyll content was significant. Comparison between the combined treatments indicated that under normal irrigation and moderate drought stress conditions chamomile plants received 5 and 10 t/ha vermicompost showed significantly higher leaf chlorophyll content comparing to the control treatment.Conclusions: Totally, organic fertilization by vermicompost could partly alleviate the effect of drought stress on chamomile by increasing N, P and K uptake and leaf soluble sugar, especially in stressed treatments.

Comparison of the Effect of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizers on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production of Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.)

This study attempted to compare the effect of cow manure vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers on the vegetative growth and fruits of tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.). An air dried sandy loam soil was mixed with five rates of vermicompost equivalent to 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 and three rates of NPK fertilizer equivalent to 50% (N-P-K = 69-16-35 kg ha-1), 100% (N-P-K = 137-32-70 kg ha-1) and 200% (N-P-K = 274-64-140 kg ha-1). The treatments were replicated three times. The data revealed that shoot length, number of leaves, dry matter weight of shoots and roots, fruit number and fruit weight were influenced significantly (P < 0.05) by the application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer in the growth media. The highest dose of vermicompost of 20 t ha-1 increased dry weight of shoot of 52 folds and root of 115 folds, number of fruit(s)/plant of 6 folds and mean fruit weight of 29 folds while the highest rate of NPK fertilizer of 200% increased dry weight of shoot of 35 folds and root of 80 folds, number of fruit(s)/plant of 4 folds and mean fruit weight of 18 folds over the control treatment. The growth performance of tomato was better in the vermicompost amended soil pots than the plants grown in the inorganic fertilizer amended soil pots. This study suggested that the vermicompost served as a potential source of nutrients for plant growth.

The wonders of earthworms &its vermicompost in farm production: Charles Darwin’s ‘friends of farmers’, with potential to replace destructive chemical fertilizers

Earthworms and its excreta (vermicast) promises to usher in the ‘Second Green Revolution’ by completely replacing the destructive agro chemicals which did more harm than good to both the farmers and their farmland. Earthworms restore & improve soil fertility and significantly boost crop productivity. Earthworms excreta (vermicast) is a nutritive ‘organic fertilizer’ rich in humus, NKP, micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes—‘nitrogenfixing & phosphate solubilizing bacteria’ & ‘actinomycets’ and growth hormones ‘auxins’, ‘gibberlins’ & ‘cytokinins’. Both earthworms and its vermicast & body liquid (vermiwash) are scientifically proving as both ‘growth promoters & protectors’ for crop plants. In our experiments with corn & wheat crops, tomato and eggplants it displayed excellent growth performances in terms of height of plants, color & texture of leaves, appearance of flowers & fruits, seed ears etc. as compared to chemical fertilizers and the conventional compost. There is also less incidences of ‘pest & disease attack’ and ‘reduced demand of water’ for irrigation in plants grown on vermicompost. Presence of live earthworms in soil also makes significant difference in flower and fruit formation in vegetable crops. Composts work as a ‘slowrelease fertilizer’ whereas chemical fertilizers release their nutrients rather quickly in soil and soon get depleted. Significant amount of ‘chemical nitrogen’ is lost from soil due to oxidation in sunlight. However, with application of vermicompost the ‘organic nitro gen’ tends to be released much faster from the excreted ‘humus’ by worms and those mineralised by them and the net overall efficiency of nitrogen (N) is considerably greater than that of chemical fertilizers. Availability of phosphorus (P) is sometimes much greater. Our study sh ows that earthworms and vermicompost can promote growth from 50 to 100% over conventional compost & 30 to 40% over chemical fertilizers besides protecting the soil and the agro ecosystem while producing ‘nutritive and tasty food’ at a much economical cost (at least 50 75% less) as compared to the costly chemical fertilizers.

Effects of Vermicompost Leach Liquor on Yield and Quality of Wheat

Medium gluten wheat cultivar Yangmai 21 was sprayed with vermicompost leach liquor after blooming stage to investigate the effects of verrnicompost leach liquor on grain number, yield and quality of wheat. According to the results, vermi- compost leach liquor reduced average grain number by 2.1%, significantly increased 1 000-grain weight by 15.2%, enhanced grain weight and grain yield by 6.4% and 4.3%, improved grain starch content, protein content and wet gluten content by 1.5%, 1.4% and 2.3%, respectively, and declined moisture content by 12.3%. Apply- ing vermicompost leach liquor after blooming stage is an effective method to im- prove varietal characteristics, grain weight, yield and quality of wheat.

Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: A review

Earthworm has caught imagination of philosophers like Pascal and Thoreau. Yet its role in the nutrition of agricultural fields has attracted attention of researchers worldwide only in recent decades. Waste management is considered as an integral part of a sustainable society, thereby necessitating diversion of biodegradable fractions of the societal waste from landfill into alternative management processes such as vermicomposting. Earthworms excreta (vermicast) is a nutritive organic fertilizer rich in humus, NPK, micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes;nitrogen-fixing, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, actinomycets and growth hormones auxins, gibberlins & cytokinins. Both vermicompost & its body liquid (vermiwash) are proven as both growth promoters & protectors for crop plants. We discuss about the worms composting technology, its importance, use and some salient results obtained in the globe so far in this review update of vermicompost research.

Effect of Diazotrophs and Chemical Fertilizers on Production and Economics of Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>, L.) Cultivars

The effect of diazotrophs and chemical fertilizers on yield attributing characters and economics of okra cultivation was evaluated. Application of highest dose of NPK @100% in combination with vermicompost (5 t ha-1) and biofertilizers with FYM increased the fruit yield of okra (cultivar Mahyco-10) considerably with yield varying between 80.00 q ha-1 to 227.13 q ha-1 and 80.49 q ha-1 to 229.62 q ha-1 during 2010 and 2011 respectively. In okra cv. Utkal Gaurav the fruit yield varied from 47.68 q ha-1 to 129.84 q ha-1 in 2010 and 47.27 q ha-1 to 131.35 q ha-1 in 2011. As regards the net return, highest net profit of Rs 87,630 and Rs. 89,370 ha-1 from the okra was realized over an investment of Rs. 71,360 ha-1 during both the years with a benefit cost ratio of 2.23 and 2.25 when 100% NPK integrated with vermicompost @5t ha-1 and biofertilizers with FYM applied in okra cv.Mahyco-10. The highest net return of Rs. 14,350 in 2010 and Rs. 15,260 in 2011 with an investment of Rs. 63,550 each year was found in cultivar Utkal Gaurav under highest level of nutrient application.

Effect of Nutrient Management and Planting Geometry on Productivity of Hybrid Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>L.) Cultivars

Field experiments were conducted during the wet seasons of 2006 and 2007 at the Agricultural Experimental Farm of the Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, a part of eastern plateau region of India. The study was designed to investigate the effect of planting geometry and nutrient management practices on productivity of two hybrid rice cultivars. Split-plot design with three replications was adopted to carry out the experiment by allocating combinations of treatments of planting geometry and rice cultivar in main-plots and nutrient management treatments in sub-plots. “CNRH-3” rice proved its efficiency in terms of grain yield that was also reflected in yield attributing characters such as number of productive tillers, number of grains per panicle, length of panicle, panicle weight, test weight and harvest index. Higher rice grain yield was registered when the cultivars grown in 20 cm × 20 cm planting geometry. Rice cultivars grown with the application of inorganic fertilizers alone produced maximum grain yield and also recorded higher values of ancillary characters. The maximum amount of N, P and K was taken up by the “CNRH-3” rice, whereas maximum residual soil fertility was recorded in “Pro Agro 6201” rice. Maximum N, P and K uptake values were recorded in 20 cm × 20 cm crop geometry and inorganic fertilizers treatment.

Effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on productivity of groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)varieties in East Hararghe,Eastern Ethiopia

Groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)is a high economic value oil crop commonly grown in low-land semi-arid areas of Ethiopia.The crop production is constrained by low soil fertility;however,the nutrient management practice has been given low attention.This study was therefore conducted during the main cropping season of 2015/2016 at Babile and Fedis sites of East Hararghe,Ethiopia to evaluate the growth,nodulation,and yield response of groundnut varieties to the application of combined mineral nitrogen,phosphorus,and vermicompost fertilizers,and zinc.Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of three varieties(Ba-ha-Gudo,Ba-ha-Jidu,and Roba);three fertilizers combinations(0:0 kg N:POhawith no VC,46:46 kg N:POhawith no VC,and 46:46 kg N:POhawith 2.5 t VC ha);and three rates of Zn(0,5,and 10 kg Zn ha)in a randomized complete block design at both sites.The growth,nodulation,yield components,and yield data were subjected to analysis by SAS.The result revealed that plant height was significantly affected by variety and fertilizers combination,the number of branches plant-1affected by the interaction of variety and fertilizers combination while canopy spread and nodulation parameters were affected by the interaction of variety,fertilizers combination,and Zn rate.Pod plant-1and hundred seed weight,dry biomass,pod and seed yields,and seed oil content were significantly affected by the interaction of variety,fertilizers combination,and Zn rate.The highest dry biomass(7.26 t ha),pod(3.13 t ha),seed(2.16 t ha)yields and seed oil content(51.3%),net benefit($1704.2 ha)with a marginal rate of return of 242%were obtained from variety Ba-ha Gudo received the combined application of 46:46 kg N:POhaand 2.5 t VC hawith 5 kg Zn ha.Therefore,it can be concluded that the Ba-ha Gudo variety is preferably produced using the combined application of 46:46 kg N:POhaand 2.5 t VC hawith 5kg Zn hafor high productivity in the study sites and similar agro-ecologies.

Turning, Microbial Inoculation and Use of Eisenia foetida in Household Organic Waste Composting

On site composting of organic household wastes is an economical and environmentally tiiendly way to manage municipal wastes. In this manuscript authors evaluated the importance of turning the wastes and of inoculating microorganisms and worms in order to unprove the composting process at domestic scale. Four treatments （Control without turning- C-, Control with Turning- CT- inoculated Mountain Microorganism with turning- MM- and Worms without turning- W-） were tested in a random experiment with tour replicates. Sixteen composting bins were fed with 300 kg of organic wastes from a local street market. The process of compostnig lasted 13 weeks after which all the composts were sifted and submitted to a range of chemical, physical and biological analysis. According to the results MM slightly increased the initial temperature and enzymatic activiry. This investigation outcome don＇t provide of sufficient grounds for a precise recommendation about worms inoculation in compost bins. A decrease between 75% and 80% in the fresh weight of the organic waste was found in the first thirteen weeks after starting the composting process in all the treatments. The quality level of the compost was acceptable, with very low heavy metal content. Turn over helps to keep the product hygienic especially after the inoculation with MM microbial starts. In conclusion and according to the results of this investigation, the use of 320 L compost bins for the organic waste management is strongly advisable.