Evaluación del proceso de vermicompostaje para el manejo de los residuos sólidos orgánicos generados en el mercado El Vergel del cantón Cañar

Abstract

The objective of this project was to evaluate the vermicomposting process with solid waste generated at Vergel market in Cañar city. In which, Red Californian Warm (Esenia Fetida) was used. Initially, the organic waste was characterized and typified for 3 weeks. Then a pre composting pile was elaborated for approximately one month to decrease the size and density of the waste. Also, the vermicomposting and its division of 4 beds were made, samples that were collected and analyzed in triplicate of the main physical and chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, macronutrients, and metals using compost analysis methods referenced by the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA, 2005). According to the results obtained, it was shown that the macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, sodium) were superior in the vermicompost compared to the compost produced by EMMAIPC-EP, while for metals, cadmium 0.75 mg/kg, nickel 80.6 mg/kg and chromium 61,82 mg/kg were recorded which classified as a class B fertilizer. The vermicompost did not register the presence of cadmium and nickel, so it reached as a class A fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the degradative action of the earthworms influenced the quality of the organic compost, which was reflected in the quality parameters of the Royal Decree 506/2013 for compost made from organic wastes, so it is recommended that merchants and citizens take advantage of these wastes to produce organic compost free of chemicals.