• Manveen Arora
• Arvinder Kaur

: Presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica delay decomposition and recycling of nutrients of wheat straw in nature. In the present study wheat straw was mixed with cattle dung in 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 ratios and subjected to aerobic composting (WA1,WA2, WA3 and WA4 respectively) and vermicomposting (with Eisenia fetida -WV1, WV2, WV3 and WV4 respectively). Fastest bioconversion of straw into a plant growth medium was observed for WV1 and WV2 (120 days) but longer time was required for WV3 (130 days) and WV4 (135 days). However, much more time was required for aerobic composting treatments viz. AV1 (140 days), AV2 (143 days), AV3 (145 days) and AV4 (150 days). Maximum population buildup (number and biomass of worms, cocoons and hatchlings) was observed in WV2 which was followed by WV1, WV3 and WV4. As the population buildup in WV3 was fairly good, better than WV4 and number of days for bioconversion (130 days) were much less than the days for all the mixtures of aerobic composting (140-150 days), therefore vermicomposting of wheat straw: cattle dung with E. fetida is a better strategy for management of wheat straw in an eco-friendly manner. It is suggested that 2:1 wheat straw: cattledung is best combination but the ratio can be increased to 3:1 also.

Wheat straw, Cattle dung, vermicompost, Eisenia fetida.

"Finding Optimum Quantity Of Cattle Dung For Faster Bioconversion Of Wheat Straw Into A Plant Growth Medium ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 5, page no.987-990, May-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1805176.pdf

"Finding Optimum Quantity Of Cattle Dung For Faster Bioconversion Of Wheat Straw Into A Plant Growth Medium ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 5, page no. pp987-990, May-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1805176.pdf