Research Article - International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology (2025) Volume 13, Issue 4

Influence of Earthworm Dynamic Population on Soil Amended Thermal Waste for Enhancing Soil Fertility Leads to Crop Yield Using Machine Learning

The massive production of Fly Ash (FA) from Thermal Power Plants (TPP) is causing serious global ash pollution that needs to be reduced and recycled. Recycling is essential to utilize this thermal waste FA in 100% productive material. This research proposes vermicomposting by utilizing FA efficiently through the action of a specific epigeic earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae). The FA with acidic soil is processed to reduce alkalinity and then applied for vermicomposting to obtain enriched soil fertility for re-amended agricultural land. The survivability, rate of reproduction and population growth of the earthworm concerning various physicochemical parameters determine the formation of vermicompost from various proportions of soil-amended FA. The percentage of NPK and organic carbon of Vermicomposted FA (VFA) is determined by laboratory analyzer methods and statistical analysis. Out of all Soil Amended FA (SAFA) proportions, the result is achieved up to 20%-40% after applying the vermicomposting process. The result of SAFA is remarkably marked from all aspects in the range of 20% FA up to 40% FA, whereas it declined in achievement for 60%<80%<100% of FA. The vermicompost of FA in 20% to 40% is obtained with a highly enriched soil fertility level of NPK and OC due to the action of earthworm (Eudrilus eugenia) concerning its survivability, increase in sustainable population and enhancement of biomass. Bioaccumulation of earthworms and microbes leads to bioremediation of heavy metal concentration, adding more value for sustainable plant growth. The influence of soil fertility on plant growth was evidenced by measuring the growth parameters of Oryza sativa. The result shows that the formation of vermicompost from soil-amended FA is the key indicator of the subsequent increase in the earthworm population. The dynamic population, in turn, increases soil fertility. It can be concluded that the rate of vermicompost is directly proportional to the dynamic population of earthworms.

Author(s):

Sunita Satapathy*, Purbasha Priyadarshini

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