Detoxification of coir pith through refined vermicomposting engaging Eudrilus eugeniae

Hazardous coir industrial waste, coir pith has been subjected to 50 days vermicomposting with Eudrilus eugeniae
byamending nitrogenous legume plant, Gliricidia sepium
together with cattle dung in different combinations, after 21days precomposting using Pleurotus sajor-caju spawn. An increase in electrical conductivity, total NPK and calcium, anda decrease in organic matter, total organic carbon
, C/N ratio, C/P ratio and total phenolic content in the finalvermicompost were observed. Dehydrogenase , urease and cellulase activity peaked up to 30 days of vermicompostingand then declined. The phytotoxicity studies with Brassica juncea, C/N ratio and enzyme activities
confirmed thestability and maturity of vermicompost. The results also demonstrated that the 2:3:1 ratio (coir pith +
Gliricidiasepium + cow dung) is a suitable effective combination for nutrient-rich (N: 2.43%; P: 0.92%; K: 2.09%) vermicompostproduction. The total phenolic contents declined during the vermicomposting with a lower final content of 21.26 mg/gGAE in 2:3:1 combination of substrates from the initial level (105.56 mg/g GAE). Besides, the concentration of totalphenol contents inversely related to the germination index of Brassica juncea(r = -0.761), indicating that the phenoliccontent could also play an important role in phytotoxicity. Growth and fecundity of Eudrilus eugeniae
in 2:3:1combination revealed the acceptability and rapid decomposition of coir pith substrate into vermifertilizer.