Analysis of the Physicochemical Parameters of Millicompost and Vermicompost Produced at IFS Aracaju with the Development of Arugula and Lettuce Seedlings

Abstract

The problem of solid waste generation is still a serious issue to be resolved. Waste management is only disposed of in landfills, whereas there are several possibilities for an environmentally sustainable destination. As organic waste is easily putrescible, these possibilities include practices that can be done at home, such as composting, vermicomposting and millicomposting. The “Vem e Composta” project has been carrying out vermicomposting at IFS Aracaju since 2020, but recycles little dry plant material. In this sense, due to the need to reduce brown waste produced on campus, millicomposting was implemented. This technique was installed in 2022 with the assembly of two gongolariums made from reused 60-liter trash cans, where the composting of dry leaves and twigs with millipedes collected in urban areas of Aracaju began. The aim of this work was to produce ready-to-use organic compost and, later, compare it with the vermicompost that is already produced in the campus's greenhouse. The millicompost presented moisture content (77.62%), carbon (80.2 g kg-1), nitrogen (15.5 g kg-1), calcium (3.95 g kg-1) and magnesium (1. 04 g kg-1) greater than those of vermicompost. Vermicompost was richer in phosphorus (0.298 g kg-1) and potassium (4.8 g kg-1) and denser than gongolo humus. The pH for both was similar. Millicompost proves to be an effective alternative for treating pruning waste and producing quality substrate, promoting a higher rate of germination and development of lettuce and arugula seeds when compared to vermicompost.