IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2013) 4-1

Research article
erd

The Change of Phosphorus Form in Vermicompost Using
Cassava Pulp
NUNTAWUT CHAMPAR-NGAM
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Email: nantawut1987@gmail.com, chulee_b@kku.ac.th

CHULEEMAS BOONTHAI IWAI*
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

MONGKON TA-OUN
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

SURASAK SERIPONG
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Received 16 December 2012

Accepted 30 January 2013(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the change of phosphorus form invermicompost using cassava pulp. The ratio of cassava pulps: soil mix (sandy soil and cow
manure) were applied at 75%:25% (W/W) in compost (CP: without earthworm) andvermicompost (VCP: with earthworm). The qualities of vermicompost and the form ofphosphorus after 60 days incubation were analyzed. The results showed that the pH andEC (Electrical conductivity) were increased in CP and VCP. The water-soluble P in VCP
was increased by 21.55% from initial and higher than CP 16.07%. The exchangeable P in
VCP was increased by 39.57% from initial and higher than CP 24.25%. Total P in VCP
was increased by 21.55% from initial and higher than CP 16.07%. The total N in VCP wasincreased by 87.61% from initial and higher than CP 85.14%. Moreover, the decreaseof %OC (organic carbon), C/N ratio, C/P ratio were found in VCP more than CP, thepercentage of decreasing from initial was 76.93%, 97.27%, 82.15%, respectively. The
humic acid (%) content in VCP was higher than CP and the percentage of changing after
60 days of VCP was 56.41% and of CP was 32.83%. The growth and reproduction ofearthworm showed that the growth rates of earthworm were 10.75 worm-1day-1 (mg) andthe numbers of cocoons produced in vermicompost were 6.8 earthworm-1. Therefore, theactivity of earthworm and microbial was helpful to phosphorus available form and nutrient
fertilizer content in vermicomposting. These data suggest that vermicompost helps toenhance phosphorus availability in compost.
Keywords phosphorus, cassava pulps industrial wastes, vermicompost, earthworm

INTRODUCTION
There are many cassava agro-industrial factories in Thailand, large and growing industries. Whenthey finish the manufacture process with about 10 million tons of fresh cassava roots used for the
production of starch, generates at least 1 million tons of pulp annually (Sriroth, 1994). Cassava
pulps wastes can be used as nutrient fertilizer cycling and managing which is sustainable inagricultural systems. However, if cassava wastes were not be controlled and managed theenvironmental problem with disposal would happen. Therefore, the easy and fast management ofwastes is using earthworm to breakdown wastes and enhance nutrients fertilizer for compost.
Vermicomposting is normally more capable than composting because earthworms were feed onorganic and create conditions that favor the degradation of decomposed and fragmented organic
material by aerobic microorganisms (Edwards, 2004). The interactions between earthworms andmicroorganisms were the non-thermophilic biodegradation of organic wastes. (Arancon et al.,Ⓒ ISERD

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2004). Vermicomposting increases P bioavailability, microorganisms, and earthworms; includingorganic acid production, which solubilizes inorganic P (Scervino, et al., 2010). Saha et al. (2008)
showed that phosphatases was helpful on faster transformation of organic P by using of earthworm
casts in soil. Organic matter modifies supplement soil phosphatase activity. Phosphorus available
forms are important for plant production. Earthworm and microorganisms were helpful, changed
mineralization P of organic forms that transform P from non-available, organically bound forms,
into bioavailable phosphate ions (Eivazi and Tabatabai, 1977). In the study of Jader et al. (2012)
showed that vermicompost was an alternative technology for increasing P availability for plant
nutrition. Accordingly, the degradation of organic wastes by earthworm and microorganism were
helpful on the amount and quality of the humic acid. For example, this fraction in composts andvermicomposts are respected as important indicators of their biological perfection and successful
performance and insurance for a safe impact and chemical consistency in soil (Senesi et al., 2007;
Benítez et al., 2000; Atiyeh et al. 2000).
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the change of phosphorus form as using cassava pulp
and relationship of nutrient cycle in vermicompost process.
METHODOLOGY
Cassava industrial wastes: cassava pulps located Kalasin province northeast of Thailand.
Earthworm: the earthworms (Eudrillus eugeniae) were carefully brought to the laboratory alongwith the moist soil and culture in laboratory and acclimatized for 1 month under laboratory
conditions in polyethylene buckets (culture pot) containing soil. Sandy soil (Nampong Soil) and the
fresh manure amendment, which material was collected form a local cattle farm were used in theexperiment.
Experiment design: The vermicompost (VCP) cassava pulp waste material in process was used.
Experiment plan was CRD (Completely Randomized Design), 3 replication, the experiment
repetitions were mixed in the rate of 75%:25% (cassava industrial wastes: soil mixture) for theexperiments compost (CP: without earthworm) and vermicompost (VCP: with earthworm). The
25% in compost process is Soil mix. It was featured Nampong soil, cow manure. VCP and CP
were decomposed cassava pulp waste; soil mix (soil and cow manure). The mixture was composted
for 15 day before earthworm addition at incubation. The fermentation processes have a hightemperature because of earthworm breakdown. The mixture of moisture content was adjusted to70-80% of WHC (Water Holding Capacity) by water and it keeps content in plastic black block 2 L
by adding 10 earthworm(Eudrillus eugeniae)/1 kg (mix waste), which was covered with a net toprevent direct exposure to sunlight(Maity et al, 2008). The times incubation of study were VCP andํ in laboratory.
CP at 0, 30 and 60 days. The temperature was 30±2 ◌C
Chemical analysis: The compost (CP) and vermicompost (VCP) were measured for pH using a
digital pH meter in 1/ 2.5 (w/v) by deionizered water. Total Organic carbon was determined by thepartially-oxidation method (Walkley and Black, 1934). Total N (Total nitrogen) was measured by
micro Kjeldahl method (Jackson, 1973; Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982). Total P (TP) was digested
with acid (HNO3: H2SO4:HClO4 (5:2:1)). The sample used 1 g / 10 ml (mix acid) (w/v). Water
soluble P (WSP) was measured in DI water extraction ratio VCP and CP 1 g/ 25 ml (W/V) andshaken for 2 hour (150 rpm). Exchangeable phosphorous (Exch. P) was determined by following
Bray II extraction method (Schroth et.al, 2003). The total form P solutions were determined theascorbic acid molybdenum blue method by UV spectrophotometer (Murphy and Riley, 1962). C:Nratio was calculated from the measured value of C and N. C:P ratio was calculated from themeasured value of C and P. TOC in the VC was estimated using the dichromate oxidation method(Nelson and Sommers, 1982; Walkley and Black, 1934). Humic acid extracted soil andvermicompost caste derived humic acids (HA) were extracted with a slightly HA modifiedⒸ ISERD

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procedure recommended and used by the IHSS to isolate standards of humic acid (Chen, et al.,1977).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONSThe characteristic of cassava pulp wastes: the pH was 3.823±0.586, EC (mS/cm) was 0.867± 0.029,
Total P (%) was 0.063±0.001, Total N (%) was 0.206±0.016, Total K (%) was 0.322±0.004, and C:
N ratio 94.63±6.73. The characteristic of soil: the pH was 4.500 ±0.557, EC (mS/cm) was 0.357±
0.051, Total P (%) was 0.008±0.000, Total N (%) was 0.021±0.003, Total K (%) was 0.121±0.000,
and C: N ratio 9.432 ±0.165. The characteristic of cow manure: the pH was 9.233 ±0.029, EC(mS/cm) was 3.577± 0.025, Total P (%) was 0.664±0.178, Total N (%) was 1.350± 0.050, Total K(%) was 0.495±0.010, and C: N ratio 17.970± 1.251.
Changing of Phosphorus in CP and VCP: the result showed that changing of phosphorus form
comparing with CP and VCP in cassava pulps agro-industrial wastes in vermicomposting at time
incubation 0 day, 30 days and 60 days (Table 1). The total P in content initial wastes mixtures at 0
day CP and VCP were 0.54%, after that the end 60 day TP value was increased 16.07-21.55% in
both, but when the compare with CP and VCP that VCP was minimum increased than CP.
Similarly, there was about water soluble P (WSP) increase in VCP better than CP. Initial at 0 day
CP and VCP was value 0.037%, after that at 30 days and 60 days had increased water soluble P(WSP) in both. In VCP and CP, percentage of changing was increased 74.72% and 61.73%,
respectively. The study showed that vermicomposting helped to increase water soluble P (WSP)
higher than general tradition compost. Exchangeable P is important for growing plant, because it isavailable P form as plant was direct absorbed. The table 1 showed that exchangeable P content in
VCP was better than CP. Initial at 0 day CP and VCP was value 0.227%, after that at 60 day, it had
increased water soluble P (WSP) in both. In VCP and CP, percentage of changing was increased
39.57% and 24.25%. The C:P ratio (Table 1) showed that value content in VCP was decreased
which better than CP. Initial at 0 day CP and VCP was value 26, after that at 60 days, it had
decreased C:P ratio in both. In VCP and CP, percentage of changing was increased 82 % and 73%.
After earthworm and microorganism activity, Vermicomposting can be proficient technology fortransformation of unavailable forms of phosphorus to easily available forms for plants. Lee (1985)
the organic wastes passing thought the gut of worm was produced phosphatase and it was releasedof P may be microorganisms in casts. Ghosh et al. (1999) have reported that vermicomposting canbe an efficient technology for the transformation of unavailable forms of phosphorus to easily
available forms for plants and it can help to enhance the transformation of organic P into mineralforms, it also to release P into in soluble inorganic forms and to increase the availability of P
(Exchangeable P and WSP).
The result showed that the pH and EC in incubation at 60 day were increased in CP and VCP(Fig. 1). The pH of CP 0day value was 7.4. The pH of CP and VCP at 60 day value was 8.6 and 8.2,
respectively. Percentage of increased was 13.59% and 9.98% .The increase of pH may be attributed
to the decomposition of nitrogenous substrates resulting in the production of ammonia. Ammonia
which forms a large proportion of the nitrogenous matter was excreted by earthworms (Cohen andLewis, 1949). The total organic carbon (TOC) in VCP all time declined drastically compared totheir initial at o day; the maximum organic C loss was observed in VCP. The comparison with CP
and VCP were also calculated by using vermicomposting coefficient (VCP) that organic C loss
better than CP by percentage of loss CP:25% and VCP: 76.93%. Causing of the organic C loss wasvermicomposting process in organic C budget of the waste decomposition system and accelerates
the waste degradation process (Garg et al, 2005). The vermicomposting cause increased total N.
The comparison between CP and VCP, VCP was increased total N than CP. By percentage ofincreasing in VCP was 87.61%. Earthworms and microbial have an abundant impact on nitrogentransformation, by increasing nitrogen mineralization, therefore, mineral nitrogen was maintainedin the nitrate form (Atiyeh et al., 2000). However, the report of Viel et al., (1987) in the substrates
might be responsible for nitrogen addition stated, results to decrease in organic carbon. The
nitrogen through excretory products, enzymes, mucous and even by decaying worm tissue (TripathiⒸ ISERD

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and Bhardwaj, 2004). So that the value C:N ratio was decreased in VCP and CP (Fig. 1). C:N ratio
was important used indices for maturity of organic wastes, decreased with time for all the VCP and
CP. Initial C:N ratio was 128. Vermicompost can be attributed to initially lower content of nitrogenin these feeds. Final C:N ratios were 3.51 by percentage of decreasing was 97.27, whereas the final
C:N ratio of VCP was higher than CP feed.
Table 1 The result showed that changing of Phosphorus form compares with between CP and
VCP in Cassava pulps agro-industrial wastes vermicompost at time incubation 0 day,
30day, 60 day
Total P (%)
CompostVermicompost
Water Soluble P (%)
CompostVermicompost
Exchangeble P (%)
CompostVermicompost
C/P ratio
CompostVermicompost

TP(%)0d0.540±0.009
0.540±0.009
WSP(%)0d
0.037±0.001
0.037±0.001
Exch.P(%)0d0.227±0.010
0.227±0.010
C/P(%)0d
26.07±0.319
26.07±0.319

TP(%)30d
0.513±0.002
0.545±0.016
WSP(%)30d
0.076±0.006
0.091±0.006
Exch.P (%)30d
0.239±0.008
0.377±0.016
C/P(%)30d
19.75±2.997
20.22±4.978

TP(%)60d
0.643±0.043
0.688±0.067
WSP(%)60d
0.097±0.002
0.146±0.028
Exch.P(%)60d
0.300±0.004
0.376±0.024
C/P(%)60d
7.01±0.349
4.65±0.432% changing
16.07
21.55
% changing
61.73
74.72
% changing
24.25
39.57
% changing
73.09
82.15

Fig. 1 The picture showed that the comparing was pH, EC, TOC(%),Total N(%), C/N ratio
between CP and VCP with as cassava waste (cassava pulps) in compost at 0 day, 30
day, 60 day
The humic acid (HA) (%) contents showed in Fig. 2 the comparison between VCP and CP thatat 60 day after incubation, VCP was higher HA(%) than CP and ratio of humic acid (E4/E6) in
VCP was higher than CP. Percentage of changing after 60 day VCP was 56.41% and at CP was
32.83%. The HAs were one of most active fractions of OM, they improved the absorption ofnutrients by plants and soil microorganisms, there was a positive effect on the dynamic of N and P
in soil, stimulate plant respiration and the photosynthesis process, and favor the formation of soil
aggregates, etc (Hernandez et al., 2001). Chen et al., (1977) suggested and believes that themagnitude of E4/E6 was related to the degree of condensation of the aromatic C network, with aⒸ ISERD

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low ratio indicative of a relatively high degree of condensation of aromatic humic constituents.
Conversely, a high E4/E6 ratio reflects a low degree of aromatic condensation and suggests thepresence of relatively large portions of aliphatic structures. The values of E4/E6 ratio would
depend on the average molecular weight or particle size (negative correlation) and low degree ofaromatic C network content and low average molecular weight, probably due to a short period ofhumicfication that takes place in the composting process. This E4/E6 value suggested that during
the composting process the HAs produced were similar to fulvic fraction and in this way they cloudundergoes more microbial degradation. It had been demonstrated that the fluorescent intensity of
HAs and fulvic acid (FA) increase with decreasing molecular size (Edward et al., 1988; Aoyama,2001).

Fig. 2 The picture showed that humic acid (%) and ratio of humic acid (E4/E6) between CP
and VCP with as cassava waste (cassava pulps) in compost at 0 day, 30 day, 60 day
Table 2 Growth of Eudrillus eugeniae cassava pulp waste industrial
Treatment
Cassava pulp waste

Mean initial weight Maximum weight achieveddayearthworm-1 (mg)earthworm-1 (mg)323.43645.9660d

Net weight gain
earthworm-1 (mg)322.53Growth rateworm-1day-1 (mg)10.75

Table 3 Cocoon production by Eudrillus eugeniae in cassava pulp waste industrial
Treatment
Cassava pulp waste

Total no. of cocoons produced
after 60 day
68.0

No. of cocoons produced earthworm-1
6.8

CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, the study observed the change of phosphorus form in vermicompost using cassava
pulp. The transformations that resulted in phosphorus available form in vermicompost was
generally more than efficient composting CP because of the activity of earthworm andmicroorganism that helped to change organic wastes and digestion wastes to phosphorus nutrient
fertilizer. Increasing inorganic P was exchanged to P, water soluble P and total phosphorus. The
vermicomposting process after 60 days was decomposing and changing, transforming bymineralization P into inorganic P nutrients form and was higher than general composting. Finally,
The study observed the change of phosphorus availability form as with cassava waste (cassava
pulps) in vermicompost on helping to change nutrient fertilizer: total N, C:N, total K, phosphorus
available form, Humic acid for plant, growth and reproduction of earthworm. Vermicompost was
encouraged as a disposal and management agro-industrial wastes which it decreases bio-wastes tochange valuable nutrient to plants, and to reduce environment pollutions.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was funding by Graduate research scholarship for graduate students of Khon Kean
University and the office of Higher Education Commission and Khon Kaen University under the
research  project  “Agro-Industrial Waste Management and Utilization”  and the National ResearchⒸ ISERD

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Council of Thailand (NRCT) and National Science and Technology Development Agency(NSTDA) and Integrated Water Resource Management Research and Development Center inNortheast Thailand and thanks to Prof. Dr. Machito Mihara for kind support.
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