Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management through Vermitechnology: Impact of Vermicompost on Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) plants and Sodic Degraded Land.

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted on sweet flag (Acorus calamus) grown in different levels of vermicompost (VC) and sodic soils (Soil pH 10.12 and Exchangeable sodium percentage 54) i.e., T1=100% sodic soil (control), T2=75% sodic soil + 25% VC, T3=50% sodic soil+50% VC, T4=25% sodic soil+75% VC, T5=100% VC in complete randomized design (CRD). Results indicate that vegetative growth (i.e., plant growth, number of leaves and number of tillers per plant) were significantly increased on increasing the doses of vermicompost up to T4. While in T5 it decreases than T3 and T4. The maximum rhizomes and biomass yield were observed at T4 level. The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll 'a', chlorophyll 'b' total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents) were also significantly increases on increasing the vermicompost dose in sodic soil while carotenoid chlorophyll ratio was decreased up to T4. The anti-oxidative enzymes like catalase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase were also significantly increases on increasing the dose of vermicompost. Quality of rhizome and leaves were also improved through increasing reducing sugars, total carbohydrates and protein levels. Soil properties were also improved by reducing soil pH and ESP and increasing organic carbon and nutrient status in soils. Thus, through vermitechnology MSW and sodic degraded land were managed sustainably. Keywords: Earthworm, vermicompost, sodic soil, sustainable management, metabolism