INTEGRATED ORGANIC AMENDMENTS: A NEW ERA IN VERMICOMPOSTING AND BIOCHAR PRODUCTION DRIVEN BY MICROBIAL ENHANCEMENT OF ORGANIC WASTE

Abstract

The increasing depositional levels of organic waste in agricultural and industrial sources are a great threat to the environment, and its proper management requires sustainable approaches. The possible potential of integrated strategies, especially how vermicomposting and biochar production can be combined to transform these organic residues into useful soil amendments, is also pointed at in this review. Vermicomposting utilizes earthworms and microbes to create compost rich in nutrients that increases soil fertility and soil structure. Biochar is a by-product of biomass pyrolysis, which is a better water retention medium and nutrient availability and long-term carbon storage. These can be applied synergistically: vermicompost is highly microbial and full of nutrient cycling, and biochar contains pores microbiological habitat, which allows the colonization of microorganisms and conservation of nutrients. These not only improves the productivity of the soil but also helps in the rehabilitation of the polluted soils as well as reducing greenhouse gases. Organic matter decomposition and growth promotion of the plant can also be further enhanced by including effective consortia of microbes. Finally, the review states the primary requirements of future research like process optimization, microbial inoculation techniques, and field-based measurements to reinforce the agronomic and environmental application of this form of integrated organic amendments.