RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 24 (3) December 2012, p. 1542-1549

VERMICOMPOSTING OF EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH WITH ADDITION OF PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT SOLID

NAHRUL HAYAWIN Zainal* ; ASTIMAR Abd Aziz* ; ANIS Mokhtar* ; M HAKIMI Ibrahim ** ; H.P.S. Abdul Khalil‡ ; ZAWAWI Ibrahim*

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of the nutrients of the vermicompost produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) mixed with palm oil mill effluent (POME) solid employing an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. The vermicomposting of EFB and in supplementation with POME solid differed in the resulting C/N ratios. The initial C/N ratios (178.1, 114.5, 153.3, 73.1, 123.1 and 38.6) for the six vermicomposters were significantly reduced to 54.0, 20.1, 19.5, 12.1, 15.5, and 10.5, respectively, after 84 days of vermicomposting. A significant increase in pH, TKN, TP and TK content was recorded in all the vermicomposters (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6). From this study, we can conclude that of the six compositions studied, the best ratio for vermicomposting of EFB with additional POME is V6 (50% EFB + 50% POME solid).

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* Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
P. O. Box 10620,
50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
E-mail: nahrul.hayawin@mpob.gov.my

** Division of Environmental Technology,
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

‡ Division of Biosource, Paper and Coating Technology,
School of Industrial Technology,
Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.