Grape pomace transformed by specific fungi has the potential as a promising substrate for vermicomposting

MARIA INÉS TRONCOZO; ESCARAY, MARTÍN; FLORENCIA VIANNA; MARIO C. N. SAPARRAT

International Journal of Recycling Organic Waste in Agriculture

Islamic Azad University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Año: 2024 vol. 13

2251-7715

Purpose: It is known that the combination of bioprocesses can contribute to obtaining better results compared to thoseachieved by applying each process individually. Solid state fermentation of Vitis labrusca grape pomace was carried outusing different saprotrophic fungi following a vermicomposting process.Method: A palatability test was performed to evaluate the permanence of Eisenia foetida adults on pomace transformedby fungi. Subsequently, pomace treated with Ulocladium botrytis LPSc 813 was vermicomposted for 90 days to evaluatecomparatively the earthworm population dynamics and different physio-chemical and biological parameters with respect tocontrol treatment.Results: The pomace treated with Coriolopsis rigida LPSc 232 and U. botrytis showed a 100% permanence of theearthworms, though only this last fungus was able to modify the acidity of the parent grape pomace (pH 7.66 ± 0.84)without increasing its salinity. The combination of U. botrytis-vermicomposting showed a reduction in the adult andjuvenile earthworm number at 60 days and presented a higher germination index compared to the control.Conclusion: Results suggest that grape pomace pretreated with U. botrytis could be an optimal starting substrate forvermicomposting, obtaining an organic fertilizer in a short period.