# Properties of Vermicomposts Derived from Cameroon Sheep Dung
## 1 Introduction
Nevertheless, one limitation in the production of pellets or biomass from hay is the physico-chemical composition as it contains numerous difficult-to-degrade substances (suberin or cutin). A viable alternative could be utilization in a vermicomposting process, following recommendations of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (2015) [33] and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2019) [34]. Interest in sheep dung is a result of subsidized sheep breeding, supported by the Rural Development Programme for the period 2015-2020, which opens up the characterization of this manure as another reason for the study. Fertilizers are defined by Polish law in the Fertilizers and Fertilization Act of 7 June, 2018 [35] as products intended for providing plants with nutrients or increasing soil fertility, which are mineral fertilizers, natural fertilizers and organic-mineral fertilizers. This Act [35] indicates the process of vermicomposting as an appropriate method for the production of valuable organic fertilizers (chapter 1, article 2.1 item 5). Characteristics that support the use of vermicompost are high water capacity, high porosity and gradual, slow release of nutrients to the soil [36; 37; 38]. The content of macroelements in composted manure is usually higher than fresh animal manure. Composting of animal manure also encourages soil microbial activity, which promotes the soil's trace mineral supply, improving plant nutrition [39]. If compared with unprocessed manure, it helps with the stabilization of the soil profile, prevents erosion, improves soil structure, is favorable to retaining moisture and can reduce problems with drainage in damp areas. Additionally, manure may contain pathogenic organisms and constitute a potential source of zoonoses, and therefore it may be the main risk for spreading diseases among animals and people [40]. Numerous studies highlight the effectiveness of vermicomposting manure of different origins to reduce pathogenic microorganisms. A reduction in pathogens occurs by passage through the intestines of an earthworm, which obviatesthe need to raise the temperature. The final product, with regard to microbiological quality, can then be considered as class A compost [41; 42; 43; 44]. In addition, vermicomposts have been shown to provide a favorable influence on growth, development, flowering, fructification and plant health. They also limit the expansion of fungal diseases, such as _Pythium_, _Rhizoctonia_, _Plectosporium_ and _Verticillium_; the presence of numerous pests, nematodes in field cultivation of tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and grapes, as well as _Myzus persicae_ aphid, which is a transmitter of many viruses; and _Pseudococcus_ and _Pieris brassicae_ caterpillars in the cultivations of tomatoes, peppers and cabbages. Such positive impacts of vermicomposts, in field experiments and greenhouse cultivation, has been shown by many authors [30; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56]. By applying vermicompost, soil can be enriched with organic matter and mineral compounds, to be absorbed by plants. Besides this, vermicompost fertilizer also causes an increase in biological activity in the soil and improves structure [30]. Determination of the main macro-elements (nitrogen, carbon, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium) of the soil is one of the most important criteria of the assessment of soil richness [57]. The major aim of the current research was to determine the feasibility to vermicompost Cameroon sheep dung, in a pure form and mixed with marginal value hay from agri-environmental programs. A further aim was to determine the properties of vermicomposts obtained from these droppings. Finally, the effects of these substrates on growth of the populations of the vermicomposting species _Dendrobaena veneta_ were also to be examined.