Anti-hyperglycemic Potency of Asthma Weed (Euphorbia hirta Linn

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Effects of Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)Manure on the Vermicast of African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.)

A Research Paper

Presented toThe Panel of Evaluators ofSpecial Science and Technology ClassCapiz National High School

In Partial FulfilmentOf the Subject Research II

By

Kimberly Ann AlcazarenIV-CurieJuly 5,2012

Introduction

Environmental degradation is a major threat confronting the world, and the rampant use of chemical fertilizers contributes largely to the deterioration of the environment through depletion of fossil fuels, generation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and contamination of water resources. It leads to loss of soil fertility due to imbalanced use of fertilizers that has adversely impacted agricultural productivity and causes soil degradation. Now there is a growing realization that the adoption of ecological and sustainable farming practices can only reverse the declining trend in the global productivity and environment protection (Aveyard 1988, Wani and Lee 1992, Wani et al. 1995).

The rampant use of chemical fertilizers contributes largely to the deterioration of the environment through depletion of fossil fuels, generation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and contamination of water resources (Wani and Lee, 1992; Wani et al., 1995).The increase in generation of wastes can be harmful if not disposed properly. Most of these organic residues are burned currently or used as land fillings. This process not only reduces the available fertile land, which was used to produce food and raw materials, but also pollutes air, water and soil (Stephens et al., 1994).

With the advent of industrialization and energy based intensive agriculture, chemical pathways for raw materials conversion became predominant with extensive use of petrochemical based feedstock. The damaging long-term environmental impacts and resource depletion indicate un-sustainability of the current methods. Attention is once again on biochemical pathways with the intervention of appropriate biological organisms. There are numerous sources of waste where degradable organic matter is either partially or fully generated. In India, most of the MSW is dumped and only a fraction (less than 10%) is intermittently processed in mechanical compost plants. (Shekdar, 1999).Nowadays, due to the increasing cost of chemical fertilizers with the reduction of yield potential of soil and nutritional value of food due to chemical fertilizing practices lead to an in-depth search for an economically viable alternative. The primary solution to convert the biodegradable waste is Vermiculture biotechnology.

Vermicast or Vermicompost was identified as the best alternative with regard to industrial and economical viability. It also proved itself as natures wonder product to restore soil health and nutritional value in food. The presence of earthworms in soil ecosystems is an indicator of the well being of a system. Earthworms has the unique ability to convert elements such as minerals, nutrients and microbes from soil or composting systems into an excretion that contains the vastest amount of plant nutrients, microbes and growth elements that do exist. The excretion is called Vermicast or Vermicompost. Thechemicalandbiologicalcomposition of Vermicast can be regarded as the closest resemblance of a balanced and healthy soil ecosystem. Elements and nutrients in Vermicast are also presented to plants in a more absorbable form compared to any other product in nature or industry. (W. Joubert and R Fair,2004)

Vermicomposting is a method of preparing enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to produce quality compost. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casts. Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes. Vermicompost is stable, fine granular organic manure, which enriches soil quality by improving its physicochemical and biological properties. It is highly useful in raising seedlings and for crop production. Vermicompost is becoming popular as a major component of organic farming system. (ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam 793 103, Meghalaya)

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to find out the Effects of Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure on the Vermicast of African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.)

Specifically, this study seeks to answers the following questions:

1. Is there a significant difference in using the Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Layer Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure on the growth gained of the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.)?1. Is there a significant difference in using the Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Layer Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure on the amount of Vermicast produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.)?1. What is the Macro Analysis of the Vermicast that will be produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.) using the Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Layer Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure?1. What is the Micro Analysis of the Vermicast that will be produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.) using the Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Layer Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure?

Statement of the Hypotheses

1. There is no significant difference in using the Cultured Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure on the growth gained of the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.).

2. There is no significant difference in using the Cultured Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure on the amount of Vermicast produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.).

3. There is no Macro Analysis of the Vermicast that will be produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.) using the Cultured Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure.

4. There is no Micro Analysis of the Vermicast that will be produced by the African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.) using the Cultured Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure and the Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Manure.

Significance of the Study

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly, economical, efficient novel technology that can be applied to utilize agricultural and other organic wastes. This technology also provides opportunities for self-employment for rural people, by utilizing the available agricultural resources.The plant protection practices and recommendations for applications of heavy doses of pesticides to control some soil insects and weeds have made the soil barren. A growing awareness of some of the adverse economic and environmental impacts of agrochemicals in crop production has stimulated greater interest in the utilization of organic amendments such as compost or Vermicompost for crop production (Follet, 1981). Therefore, the sustainability has to be restored by some means of regular food security. The Philippines is rich in agriculture but is also suffering the outcomes of global warming. This study will be of great benefit because by establishing the concepts of this study, the agricultural sector of the Philippines will gain from the inexpensive cost, nutritional and eco-friendly products this study will yield.Potential environmental benefits of Vermitechnology include: reduction of noxious qualities of organic wastes, elimination/reduction of harmful micro organisms; conversion of agro-wastes into high value fertilizer and production of food and feed from food discards (Tripathi et al., 2005). Vermicompost envisages the soil fertility for years together without affecting the food quality.Other researchers can also obtain baseline information from this study utilizing it in other applications.

Definition of Terms

African Night Crawler (EudriluseugeniaeK.) -A Burrowing earthworm. It is often used exclusively for the casting production.They are very prolific breedersand are widely distributed around the warmer parts of the world, like the Philippines (Blakemore, 2007).In this study, it refers to the test organism used in the study.

Physico-chemical properties Physical properties refer to those characters that can be observed without altering the composition of the substance while the chemical properties, on the other hand, is any of a material's properties that becomes evident during a chemical reaction; that is, any quality that can be established only by changing a substance's chemical identity. Simply speaking, chemical properties cannot be determined just by viewing or touching the substance; the substance's internal structure must be affected for its chemical properties to be investigated. (Corwin,2000).

In this study, it refers to the physical properties like pH and the amount of vermicast produced and chemical properties like presence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Substrate - In biochemistry, it is a molecule upon which an enzyme acts. Enzymes catalyzechemical reactions involving the substrate(s). In the case of a single substrate, the substrate binds with the enzyme active site, and an enzyme-substrate complex is formed. The substrate is transformed into one or more products, which are then released from the active site. The active site is now free to accept another substrate molecule. In the case of more than one substrate, these may bind in a particular order to the active site, before reacting together to produce products (Bracey et al., 2001).

In this study, it refers to the different organic materials being fed to the test organism.

Vermicast- also known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by species of earthworm. (Heckman, 2006)In this study, it refers to the fecal matter produced by the African night crawlers.

Vermiculture - is the controlled growing of worms in specialty structures (Gershury and Smillie, 1995)In this study, it refers to the process by which African night crawlers were grown and feed in a controlled condition.

Scope and Limitation of the StudyThis study was conducted to determine the amount of vermicasts it will produce as well as its physico-chemical properties African Night Crawlers (EudriluseugeniaeK.) using different substrates and also the Micro and Macro Analysis of Vermicast.

This study was limited using four treatments: Treatment A (1500g Broiler Chicken manure and 1000g garden soil), Treatment B (7500 organic materials, 1500g Broiler Chicken manure and 1000g garden soil), Treatment C (1500g Layer Chicken manure and 1000g garden soil) and Treatment D (7500 organic materials, 1500g Broiler Chicken manure and 1000g garden soil). The study was conducted within the span of 90 days. The efficiency of the treatments was evaluated using the following parameters: physical properties like pH and amount of Vermicast produced and chemical properties which include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium level in it. The physico-chemical analysis of Vermicast was done at the Department of Agriculture- Region VI, Iloilo City.

Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used having four treatments replicated thrice.

The statistical tools to be used in the analysis of data of the study are: mean and standard deviation, one-factor ANOVA, and the Tukey Simultaneous Comparison for Post Hoc Analysis and Chi- square Test. All inferential tests were set at 5% level of significance.

Table 1 below shows the treatments and replications in this investigation.

Table 1: Treatments and Replicates.TreatmentsReplicatesDuration of Treatment

Treatment A Broiler Chicken manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

12390 days

Treatment B Organic Materials 7500 gBroiler Chicken manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

123 90 days

Treatment C Layer Chicken manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

12390 days

Treatment D Organic Materials 7500 gLayer Chicken manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

12390 days

Control Variable Garden Soil12390 days

Tables 2, 3, and 4 found in the below and succeeding pages, show the research design.

Table 2: Treatments and Replicates.TreatmentsReplicatesDuration of Treatment

Treatment A Organic Materials 7500 gPig manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

12330 days

Treatment B Organic Materials 7500 gChicken manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

123 30 days

Treatment C Organic Materials 7500 gGoat manure 1500 gGarden Soil 1000 g

12330 days

Table 3: Weight Gain of TreatmentsWeight GainMean

Treatment AR1R2R3

Treatment BR1R2R3

Treatment CR1R2R3

Table 4: Amount of Vermicast producedTreatmentsAmount of Vermicast producedMean

AR1R2R3

BR1R2R3

CR1R2R3

Table 4: pH-valueTreatmentsAmount of Vermicast producedMean

AR1R2R3

BR1R2R3

CR1R2R3

Table 5: Chemical Components of VermicastDetermination(%)Treatment ATreatment BTreatment C

Nitrogen (N)

Phosphorous(P2O5)

Potassium (K2O)

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

The degradation and stabilization of organic material by earthworms is known as Vermicomposting (Dominguez et al., 2000; Edwards, 1995; Ndegwa and Thomson, 2000; Ndegwa et al., 2000). In addition to earthworms, Vermicomposting also includes micro-organisms; however, earthworms are the major contributors (Dominguez et al., 2003)

Vermitechnology

Vermitechnology is an important aspect of biotechnology involving the use of earthworms for processing various types of organic wastes into valuable resources. Vermicomposting helps to process wastes simultaneously giving biofertilizers and proteins (Prabha et al., 2005). Thus, vermitechnology could successfully be used to clean the environment as it uses wastes as raw material to change polluted, costly chemical farming to sustainable agriculture (Lal et al., 2003).Vermicomposting is the process of having redworms and other decomposer organisms process our organic waste and turn it into a great natural fertilizer called vermicompost. Vermicompost contains: worm castings ("vermicastings"), good aerobic compost from other worm bin organisms, and some material that's on its way to the worms or other critters (All Things Organic, 2010).Vermicompost obtained from most of the organic materials is finely-shredded, peat-like material with excellent porosity, aeration, drainage, and water-holding capacity (Edwards, 1995, 1998). Edwards also explained that Vermicompost may contain hormones, soil enzymes, and high microbial populating which can significantly increase plant growth. The above properties make Vermicompost an excellent horticultural media. Atiyeh et al. (2000a, b) showed a significant increase in margigold and tomato plants when a traditional potting media was mixed with vermicomposted pig solids and food wastes. Arancon et al. (2005), showed a noticeable increase in pepper plant leaf area, shoot biomass, and marketable fruit weights when vermicomposted food waste was used as a fertilizer.

In addition, Vermicompost improves soil structure and aeration as well as increasing its water-holdingcapacity. Worms help the environment by decomposing organic material (food and yard waste)turning it into a natural rich organic soil amendment. The end result is called vermicompost,wormpoop or worm castings (Padma et al., 2002).

EarthwormsAs explained by Edwards (1995), earthworms ingest organic matter andegestsit as much finer particles after passing through a grinding gizzard that they all possess.Wormsfeed on the microorganisms that grow upon the organic material.They take over the role of aerating necessary in composting to maintain aerobic conditions and their turnover rate is much higher than with composting as they process 3 feet deep layers of suitable organic material in less than 30 days (Edwards, 1995).

Earthworms are often referred to as farmers friends and natures polughmente (Darwin, 1881). Many studies were conducted on the process by which earthworms transform organic matter after ingesting it and on the properties of the resulting material, but very few were based on stabilized casts, compared to synthetic fertilizers and compost.Orozco (1996) investigated the ability ofEisinaFetida, one of the most promising earthworms for vermicomposting, to enrich coffee pulp through digestion.The ingested material had no available C or N originally, but a minimum of 178ppmof available nitrogen and 0.86% extractable C were found in the casts, along with higher P, Ca and Mg values, with a decrease in K content only.Earthworms increase nitrogen mineralization rate (Pashanasi, 1992;Parmelee, 1988;Ruz-Jerez, 1992).Available N increased irrespective of the residues the earthworms feed on or the growth temperature, which was attributed to the increase in oxidized C due to soil ingestion, and not to change in soil texture since the soil was notmixed(Ruz-Jerez, 1992).Composting worms are big eaters. Although the general rule-of-thumb, earthworms eat equal to their body weight per day, but under ideal conditions, they are able to consume in excess of their body weight each day. Manures are the most commonly used worm feedstock, with dairy and beef manures generally considered the best natural food for Eisenia, with the possible exception of rabbit manure (Gaddie and Douglas,1975).Composting with worms, both domestic and industrial, is gaining great popularity throughout as people realize the value of the resulting compost. Plant growth response to both the solid and liquid composts is remarkable (Environment Network, 2011).Physico- Chemical Composition

VermicastCompostChicken Manure

pH6.5-7.57.75.8

Organic carbon %20.43 30.3116.93-

N %1.8 2.052.794

P %1.32 1.930.491.6

K %1.28 1.503.483.25

Carbon : Nitrogen14-15 : 16-

Ca %3.0 4.51.363.25

Mg %0.4 0.70.680.7

Na %0.02 0.300.610.07

S %Traces to 0.400.190.5

Fe %0.3 0.70.0160.19

Zn %0.028 0.0360.0080.0052

Mn %Traces to 0.400.0150.52

Cu %0.0027 0.01230.000040.007

The total N and P value of vermicast does not differ significantly from that of compost and chicken manure. However, the largest amount of N in vermicast is in the NO3and NO2plant available format whereas N of compost and manure is in the NH4format. The largest amount of P in vermicompost is in the P2O5plant available format. Various yield studies also indicated that the supply rates ofH2PO4--P, K+, SO42-S and Mg2+after a process of vermicomposting is significantly higher than that of compost, manure or chemical fertilizers (Fair and Joubert, 2008).

Chapter3

Methodology

Materials

These are the following materials used in the study: 10 sacks ofroiler and Layer Chicken manure, bamboo slabs, 3 kg. Earthworms, organic materials (rice straw, non-colored papers, shredded dried leaves and grasses,plastic cover, and garden soil)

General ProcedureThe organic materials are composed of a mixture of shredded dried rice straw, leaves and papers. The shredded organic material was transferred to a suitable bed to allow them to undergo anaerobic decomposition for at least 14 days. It was covered first with a plastic sheet to minimize aeration; a little amount of water was used sprinkled on the heap. Then it was transferred to the Vermicomposting bin where animal manure was added with African night crawler (EudriluseugeniaeK.). The ratio of the vermicompost heap was: 75:15:10, respectively (partially decomposed organic material; animal manure; and garden soil). For every 10 kg of vermicompost heap, 1 kg of E. euginae was used. The vermicompost heap was regularly sprinkled (at least once a week) with a tap water for moisture required by the earthworms for growth and survival. The vermicompost bed was not directly exposed to sunshine for the whole duration of the vermicomposting process which takes about 6 weeks. Worms thrive well at a temperature of 27-290C under the shade of trees.

When 90 100% of the organic materials was decomposed, harvesting was done by manually segregating the earthworms from the vermicompost. The earthworm was transferred to a suitable medium for future use. Newly-harvested vermicompost was air-dried for 3-7 days or when the moisture content of the vermicompost was about 15% and then be passed through a 2 mm sieve. Materials that did not pass through the sieve was returned to the vermicompost beds for the next production cycle.A chemical analysis of the vermicompost was conducted at the Regional Laboratory of Department of Agriculture, Iloilo City following the standard methods.

Statistical ProcedureResults were further analyzed using means, standard deviation, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Tukey test.

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