Bacillus cereus and Citrobacter freundii from Lumbricus terrestris Facilitate Vermicomposting and Improve Soil Characteristics

ABSTRACTSoil management is an effective way for increasing crop productivity especially in agriculture based countries like Pakistan.Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly approach through which earth worms mediate the process for improving soil fertility. The present study was undertaken for the improvement of soil fertility using microbes isolated from internal and external parts of Lumbricus terrestris Isolates were identified through different biochemical tests and morphological characterization. Bacterial strains were screened and those showing positive results for their adherence ability, autoaggregation and coaggregation response were used for the vermicomposting process. Both of these strains were inoculated for vermicomposting and whole of the setup was maintained for 60 days.The results showed that microbes were characterised and identified as Bacillus cereus and Citrobacter freundii. Both these strains showed ptimum growth at pH 7.0 and temperature 37C.In the finally formed vermicompost water holding capacity, soil pH and aggregation changed positively by EG4. The results of the present finding showed positive impact of inoculation on vermicomposting in the presence of L. terrestris. This is beneficial for improving soil fertility and aggregation.