VERMICOMPOSTING OF SUGARCANE TRASH THROUGH FUNGAL PRETREATMENT USING PHANEROCHAETE CHRYSOSPORIUM AND THE EARTHWORM LAMPITO MAURITII

Abstract

Sugarcane trash, an abundant agricultural residue, represents a potential resource for
organic manure production; however, its slow natural decomposition limits its effective utilization. The
present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of fungal pretreatment using Phanerochaete
chrysosporium, followed by vermicomposting with the native earthworm Lampito mauritii, for
accelerating the decomposition and stabilization of sugarcane trash and improving the nutritional
quality of the final product. Sugarcane trash was subjected to fungal pretreatment through inoculation
with P. chrysosporium for 30 days, followed by vermicomposting using L. mauritii for 40 days. The
combined treatment facilitated the breakdown of complex organic matter and enhanced the overall
decomposition process, resulting in nutrient-enriched vermicompost. The quality assessment revealed
that the vermicompost exhibited higher concentrations of essential chemical nutrients and greater
microbial abundance, including bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi, compared with conventionally
prepared compost. The enhanced microbial activity and nutrient enrichment indicate the potential of
fungal-assisted vermicomposting as an effective approach for converting lignocellulosic agricultural
waste into valuable organic manure. The findings highlight the synergistic role of P. chrysosporium and
L. mauritii in improving the biodegradation and value addition of sugarcane trash, offering an
environmentally sustainable strategy for agricultural waste management, soil fertility restoration and
sustainable crop production.