Comparative studies on vermicompost curing at ambient and artificial conditions

Vollständiger Abstract

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Moisture content is a critical quality attribute of commercial vermicompost because it affects nutrient concentration, product stability, transport efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. In Nepal, the maximum permissible moisture content for packaged vermicompost is 25%; however, commercially marketed products frequently exceed this limit. This study compared the effectiveness of ambient indoor curing and fan-forced air curing for reducing moisture content while preserving the physicochemical quality of commercial vermicompost. Eleven commercial vermicompost products collected from major production areas of Nepal were evaluated under both curing methods. Moisture content was monitored at two-day intervals over a 14-day period, and samples were analysed for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium before and after curing. The initial moisture content of the collected products averaged 54.28%, with all samples exceeding the national regulatory standard. Fan-forced air curing consistently accelerated moisture removal compared with ambient curing, resulting in substantially greater moisture reduction during the monitoring period. Products with relatively lower initial moisture content reached the target moisture level within the study period, whereas products with higher initial moisture required additional drying time. Both curing methods maintained near-neutral pH, while no significant losses of total nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium were observed following fan-forced air curing. Changes in organic carbon were primarily associated with moisture reduction during the curing process. The findings demonstrate that fan-forced air curing is an effective, practical, and low-cost approach for accelerating moisture reduction in commercial vermicompost while maintaining its physicochemical quality. Adoption of fan-assisted curing can improve compliance with national quality standards and reduce post-harvest drying time. Further studies across different seasons and operating conditions are recommended to optimize curing duration and validate the technology under diverse commercial production environments.