Production of habanero pepper seedlings with vermicompost generated from sewage sludge

In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, septic tanks are one of the main wastewater treatment systems. The sludge generated in these systems is disposed of with no previous treatment. Existing data suggest that use of earthworms for treatment of sewage sludge is a viable alternative, and the vermicompost...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Compost science & utilization 2010-01, Vol.18 (1), p.42-46
Main Authors: Rodriguez-Canche, L.G, Cardoso-Vigueros, L, Carvajal-Leon, J, Poot Dzib, S. de la C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Capsicum chinense
coliform bacteria
Composting
earthworms
helminths
nutrients
pathogens
plant growth
Salmonella
seed germination
seedling growth
septic systems
sewage sludge
Sludge
Temperature
vermicomposts
Water treatment
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Summary:In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, septic tanks are one of the main wastewater treatment systems. The sludge generated in these systems is disposed of with no previous treatment. Existing data suggest that use of earthworms for treatment of sewage sludge is a viable alternative, and the vermicompost could be a product of agricultural importance. This work evaluated the production of seedlings of habanero pepper Capsicum chinense with vermicompost from sewage sludge from septic systems, compared with the commercial substrate peat moss. Maximum total height and increase (13.5 and 10.58 cm, respectively) were observed with the 100% vermicompost substrate, generated with an earthworm density of 2.5 kg-m 2 . The average survival of transplanted seedlings was more than 90%. The highest values of nutrients of agricultural importance were generally observed in substrates containing the largest amounts of vermicompost. The results suggest that the use of vermicompost generated from sewage sludge in the production of seedlings of habanero pepper, has environmental and economic benefits; however, it is important to continue evaluating strategies that will allow improving the quality of vermicompost, which is valuable for any agricultural product.
ISSN:1065-657X
2326-2397
DOI:10.1080/1065657X.2010.10736932