Sustainable utilization and treatment of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) weed biomass using vermitechnology

The present research is an attempt to manage Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli), a common rice weed, sustainably by vermicomposting technology. Echinochloa crus-galli (EC) biomass blended with cow dung in combination: 20:80, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, and 80:20 with two controls 100% CD and 100% EC were vermicomposted for 63 days. Earthworms could not grow well in feedstocks having higher percentage of EC. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total available phosphorus and total potassium in final vermicomposts were in the range of 13.6-21.5 g kg(-1), 11.8-15.9 g kg(-1), and 20.1-27.6 g kg(-1), respectively. Respiration rate (42-98 mgCO(2) kg(-1) VC 48 h(-1)) confirms vermicompost maturity and falls within the recommended limits (< 120 mgCO(2) kg(-1) VC 48 h(-1)). Vermicomposting process reduced the weed mass by 2.20-3.03 folds depicting its effective decomposition. It was inferred from the results that this weed can be converted into nutrient-rich manure employing vermicomposting and this process facilitating the management of E. crus-galli in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner.

Automated summary

This research explores the use of vermicomposting technology to sustainable manage Barnyard grass, a common rice weed. By vermicomposting a mixture of Barnyard grass biomass and cow dung at different ratios, it was found that higher percentage of Barnyard grass hindered the growth of earthworms. The final vermicomposts showed good nutrient content and maturity, effectively decomposing the weed biomass. This study suggests that vermicomposting can convert Barnyard grass into nutrient-rich manure, providing a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable method for weed management.