This groundbreaking book explores the science and innovation behind zoocomposting—composting facilitated by animals such as earthworms, black soldier flies, and termites. It presents the high-rate vermicomposting (HRVC) paradigm, a revolutionary approach that enables the rapid conversion of phytowaste, even toxic and recalcitrant plant materials, into potent organic fertilizers without the need for pre-composting or manure supplementation. The book details the design and performance of advanced vermireactors, the transformative effects of vermicomposting on plant growth, and the potential of BSF and termites in waste degradation. By tracing the history and mechanisms of both microbial and animal-assisted composting, this work offers valuable insights into sustainable waste management and soil fertility enhancement, making it an essential resource for researchers, environmentalists, and agricultural innovators. It serves as a practical guide for professionals and researchers working in agriculture, soil science, and sustainability in general.
Explores high-rate vermicomposting (HRVC), black soldier fly composting, and termite-assisted waste degradation for efficient organic waste recycling.
Presents cutting-edge reactor systems that accelerate the decomposition of phytowaste, including toxic and recalcitrant plant materials, without pre-composting or manure supplementation.
Highlights the benefits of zoocompost products in improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth, and supporting eco-friendly waste management practices.
Preface
About the Authors
Part I
Composting: A general introduction
Chapter 1
Composting as it occurs in nature in comparison to human-controlled composting
Chapter 2
Distinguishing features of human-controlled composting
Part II
Earthworm-based zoocomposting: Vermicomposting
Chapter 3
Distinguishing features of earthworm-based zoocomposting (vermicomposting)
Chapter 4
Earthworms and a brief history of appreciating them
Chapter 5
Design and operation of conventional vermireactors
Chapter 6
The shortcomings of the conventional vermicomposting technology, which necessitated development of the high-rate vermicomposting paradigm and the associated technology
Chapter 7
The paradigm of high-rate vermicomposting and its validation
Chapter 8
Vermireactors designed on the basis of the high-rate vermicomposting paradigm
Chapter 9
Design and performance evaluation of machines for separating earthworm-vermicast-substrate mixtures
Chapter 10
Effect of vermicomposts derived from phytomass and waste paper on different species of commonly used plants
Chapter 11
Transformations caused by vermicomposting which convert even toxic and allelopathic weeds into benign organic fertilizers
Chapter 12
Long-term impact on the growth and fecundity of successive generations of earthworms fed exclusively on one or the other species of weeds
Chapter 13
First-of-its kind success in rapidly vermicomposting a xerophyte and utilizing the product as an organic fertilizer
Chapter 14
Vermicomposting as an ideal foil to upgrade macrophyte/algae based sewage treatment systems into close-loop biorefineries
Part III
Use of black soldier flies in zoocomposting
Chapter 15
The unique role of black soldier flies in the zoocomposting of food waste
Chapter 16
A novel, versatile, effective, yet inexpensive system for carrying out BSF-mediated zoocomposting of difficult-to-treat food and abattoir waste: ZOCOFA
Part IV
Zoocomposting with termites: termigradation
Chapter 17
Termites and their unique ability to biodegrade ligninous waste and fix nitrogen
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Weight:453.00