Effect of iron oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on vermicomposting efficiency of Eisenia fetida
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Date
2021
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The advent of nanotechnology has led to the entry of an enormous amount of nanoparticles in the
terrestrial environment. Earthworms being the major soil fauna are continuously exposed to these
nanoparticles. The present study is focused on the effect of iron oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles
on vermicomposting efficiency of Eisenia fetida. The worms were exposed to artificial soil spiked
with iron oxide nanoparticles of size 30 nm, 100 nm, 30 nm+100 nm; zinc oxide nanoparticles of
size 20 nm, 240 nm, 20 nm+240 nm and combination (20 nm+240 nm+30 nm+100 nm) at
selected concentrations viz. 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg of soil. The most suitable
concentrations (250 mg/kg for 30 nm; 750 mg/kg for 100 nm; 500 mg/kg for 30 nm+100nm; 500
mg/kg for 20 nm; 750 mg/kg for 240 nm; 750 mg/kg for 20 nm+ 240 nm and 500 mg/kg for 20
nm+240 nm+30 nm+100 nm) were selected for further study to evaluate the effect of
nanoparticles on the vermicomposting efficiency in Farm Yard Manure when spiked with suitable
doses. The size determination of nanoparticles was done through TEM and XRD analysis.
However, lacerations (250 mg/kg; 30 nm) and change in colour (750 mg/kg; 100 nm) were
observed in earthworms present in iron oxide nanoparticles. The earthworms present in zinc oxide
nanoparticles had weak clitellum (500 mg/kg; 20 nm) and large prominent clitellum (750 mg/kg;
240 nm).While evaluating reproductive parameters, the lowest number of cocoons (51.00±0.035),
cocoon production rate (0.08±0.001) and number of hatchling per cocoon (1.00±0.213) were
recorded in combination of nanoparticles (20 nm+240 nm+30 nm+100 nm; 500 mg/kg).
Vermicompost when analyzed for nutrient composition revealed significant (p<0.05) increase in
the levels of total nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (%); while a decrease in the levels of pH
and total organic carbon content (%) as compared to control. Maximum number of days required
to convert substrate to vermicompost were also in this (95±0.043) as compared to control
(82±0.014). The inference drawn from the study is that both iron oxide and zinc oxide
nanoparticles in combination reduce reproductive efficiency and increase vermicomposting
duration of Eisenia fetida. However, the physic chemical content of the compost was better than
other treatments.
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Citation
Ankita (2021). Effect of iron oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on vermicomposting efficiency of Eisenia fetida (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.