The aim of the present study is to test the null hypothesis that the composting potential of the adult earthworm is mainly species-specific processes. In order to realize this hypothesis, two different species of earthworms; one epigeic; Eisenia fetida, and the other edaphic; Aporrectodea caliginosa were chosen in this study. Different organic additives were used consisting of (rice straw, leaf litter, sawdust, kitchen waste, and banana peel) to enrich bedding for vermicomposting systems in addition to cow dung. Vermicompost formed were assessed across different periods during vermicomposting process. The obtained results revealed that the addition of organic additives to vermicomposting system increase the moisture content and nutrient concentrations (N, P, K and Ca) in produced vermicompost. Contrarily, pH, OM, OC and C/N ratio decreased significantly during vermicomposting process. The quality of vermicompost was higher in vermicomposting processed by E. fetida than in case of A. caliginosa. Moreover, organic additives enhanced the characteristics of end product of vermicomposting process.
Key words: Vermicomposting, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Eisenia fetida, organic additives.
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