Effect of kitchen wastes and animal dung on reproductive potential of Eutyphoeus waltoni

Earthworms are known to be an excellent biological source that recovers plant nutrients from the organic wastes. With the synergistic action of these earthworms along with bacteria, conversion of organic wastes into nutrient rich bio-fertilizer occurs through vermicomposting or vermistabilization, which is a cost efficient, eco-friendly and simple biotechnological process. During this process, important nutrients including nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium are released and converted into more soluble and easily available forms to plants by microbial action. The present review focuses on the effect of different combinations of animal dung with kitchen wastes on the reproductive potential of earthworm Eutyphoeus waltoni as well as bioconversion of kitchen wastes mixed with animal wastes into humus rich manure.