[USCC] microbiological studies of vermicomposting and development of microbiological standards

[Boris Byzov]

Dear All, 

 

We are involved in a vermicomposting project aiming at development of microbiological criteria of vermicomposting process and evaluation of vermicompost products. As far as I know, there are only few studies, which address microbiological aspects of vermicomposting, and to date no approach exists to evaluate quality of vermicomposts that are made from many different organic wastes, except for pathogenic microorganisms and nematodes. However, it is important for development standards for vermicomposting. 

 

To my opinion, an earthworm should somehow unify microbial community of organic waste under passage through the gut. There are few studies on this topic. Our approach is to study integral parameters of microbiol activity, like multisubstrate utilization profile, enzymatic activities, etc.



If you have any comments, on what should we measure (bacterial and fungal biomass, ratio total/active biomass, respiration, catabolic diversity, etc) and how can we standardize microbial properties of the vermicomposting products.


Sincerely yours,

Boris A. Byzov 
PhD, Doctor of Science 

Andrei V. Yakushev, PhD Student


Department of Soil Biology, Faculty of Soil Science, 
Moscow Lomonosov State University, 
119992, GSP-2, Leninskie gory, Moscow, Russia. 
(095)939-2300 (work); 
Fax: (095)939-0989; 
E-mail: boris.byzov at ps.msu.ru