Tratamento de resíduos orgânicos agroindustriais por vermicompostagem em pequena escala

Abstract

Agro-industrial activities are responsible for a large part of production of organic waste. These, when improperly handled, cause several negative impacts on the environment. Vermicomposting is a low-cost and adaptable technological alternative to small production that minimizes these impacts. However, studies show that the small scale usually presents some difficulties regarding the elimination of pathogens contained in these residues. Therefore, this work aimed to improve the small-scale vermicomposting process with the addition of different concentrations of Efficient Microorganisms (EM) in the process, aiming the elimination of pathogens and obtaining a quality compound that meets the current legislation. In the field, three treatments were carried out with waste mixtures of manure (chicken, goat and sheep), Pennisetum purpureum and dry corn straw. In treatment I only Eisenia fetida was added and in treatment II and III in addition to this, was added the concentration of 4 mL / L and 8 mL / L, respectively. In the treatments, the temperature was monitored daily and the initial and final results of pathogens, metals, micronutrients and macronutrients were evaluated. According to the results, the addition of EM to the process proved to be an efficient technology in reducing pathogen. The greatest reductions occurred in treatment III, followed by treatment II and I. For metals, the greatest reductions were founded in treatment II. In relation to nutrients, the highest requirements for macronutrients occurred in treatment III, I and II and, in micronutrients, the greatest increases were in treatment with a greater amount of EM. In this way, it was possible to conclude that the vermicomposting process with the addition of EM was analyzed as an efficient technology for the waste and resulted in a final quality compound.