Abstract :
Due to the high cost of fertilizer and the environmental concerns associated with its use to increase agricultural production, there is growing interest in the bioconversion of agricultural waste such as coconut waste materials into organic fertilizers. This study endeavored to generate comparative data on degradability of the different types of coconut waste and vermicast recovery using African Night Crawler (ANC). The study was conducted over a 50-day period using two different types of coconut waste: shredded coconut frond (SCF) and coco coir dust (CCD. Three different percentage ratios were used: (R1- 10% coconut waste, 80% cow manure and 10% kakawate leaves; R2- 30% coconut waste, 60% cow manure and 10% kakawate leaves and R3- 50% coconut waste, 40% cow manure and 10% kakawate leaves). The results showed that the application of African Night Crawlers significantly increased the decomposition rate of shredded coconut fronds and coco coir dust compared to those without ANC application. Coconut coir dust waste materials had a significantly higher decomposition rate compared to shredded coconut fronds but the vermicast recovery rate showed no differences between coconut waste materials. The shredded coconut frond waste materials were significantly favorable substrates for the growth and survival of ANC compared to coconut coir dust waste materials.