The production of consistently high-quality vermicompost is
especially important to growers of high-value crops. The influence
of production factors, such as the variability in the characteristics
of the organic feedstocks, the length of time of vermicomposting,
and the various parameters used as maturity indicators, are essential
aspects to be considered in developing guidelines for assessing
the quality of vermicompost. The vermicomposting industry anticipates
a need for compost quality indicators as the production, utilization
and marketing of vermicompost expands (Jensen, 2000). In
reference to these needs, this study was undertaken with the
objective of assessing earthworm growth and the quality of vermicompost
from different types of organic wastes. Specifically, the
objectives were to: (1) examine the population of worms in three
different feedstocks; (2) determine the germination percentage of
three plant species seeded into vermicomposts produced from