Vermistabilization of seaweeds using an indigenous earthworm species, Perionyx excavatus (Perrier)

[Display omitted] •Seaweeds in combination with cowdung (1:1) were subjected to vermicomposting for 60 days.•Earthworms significantly increased the EC and nutrients-NPK and reduced total organic carbon and C/N.•Vermicomposting by Perionyx excavatus increased the total microbial population.•Growth and reproduction of the earthworms shows the acceptability of seaweed substrates. The seaweeds, Gracilaria edulis, Turbinaria ornata and Ulva reticulata collected from Mandapam East Coast region of Tamil Nadu, India has been subjected to vermicomposting in combination with cowdung (CD) in 1:1 combination for 60 days under laboratory conditions. The percentage decomposition was ranged between 83.70 and 87.00 in the vermicompost of seaweed + CD combinations while it was 30.71 and 35.12% in worm-unworked compost where the decomposition rate of substrates with earthworms is significantly (P