In agriculture, the decline in soil fertility, reduction of organic matter, and excessive use of mineral fertilizers exacerbate environmental problems. This study, conducted under the conditions of Aktobe region, aimed to evaluate the Eisenia fetida-based vermicomposting technology for the efficient utilization of organic waste and the production of environmentally safe biohumus. The experiment was carried out on cow, sheep, and poultry manure substrates over 60 days. Results showed that 38-58% of organic matter was decomposed during the vermicomposting process, and the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in the biohumus were 1.7-2.4%, 1.1-1.8%, and 1.3-2.0%, respectively. The C:N ratio decreased from the initial 25-30:1 to 12-15:1, improving the availability of nutrients for soil. The pH approached neutral, the humic acid content ranged from 14-21%, and the mobile forms of heavy metals decreased, confirming the environmental safety of the biohumus. Biotesting showed that wheat seed germination increased by 18-32% and seedling length by 25-35%. Worm biomass increased on average 1.8-2.3 times, indicating the high nutritional value of the substrate. The study demonstrated that processing organic waste using Eisenia fetida in the Aktobe region is an effective and environmentally safe method for restoring soil fertility.

BISSALYYEVA R.N.

Master of natural sciences, senior lecturer, K. Zhubanov Aktobe regional university, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: Nurila.shorayaeva@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0040-2303

ESCHANOVA G.ZH.

Мaster of agricultural sciences, teacher of special disciplines, Aktobe higher agrarian and technical college named after Sh. Bersiyev, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: gulnar.eshanova.69@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9561-3437

UTARBAYEVA N.A.

PhD, docent, K. Zhubanov Aktobe regional university, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: Nurlygul.utarbaeva@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-7043

1. FAO. (2020). State of knowledge of soil biodiversity – Status, challenges and potentialities. Rome: FAO.
2. Lal R. (2020). Soil organic matter and water retention. Agronomy Journal, 112(5), 3265–3277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20282
3. Chen H., et al. (2021). Long-term mineral fertilization effects on soil health. Science of the Total Environment, 789, 147845. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147845
4. Yadav A., & Garg V.K. (2021). Vermicomposting of organic wastes: A review. Bioresource Technology Reports, 15, 100–118.
5. Singh J., et al. (2020). Bioconversion of agricultural waste through vermicomposting. Waste Management, 102, 626–635.
6. Suthar S. (2022). Earthworm-mediated biotransformation of organic residues. Ecological Engineering, 176, 106542.
7. Kumar R., et al. (2023). Nutrient dynamics during vermicomposting of animal manures. Journal of Environmental Management, 330, 117150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117150
8. Arancon N.Q., & Edwards, C.A. (2020). Effects of vermicomposts on plant growth. Applied Soil Ecology, 147, 103–115.
9. Liu M., et al. (2022). Heavy metal stabilization during vermicomposting. Chemosphere, 287, 132–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132101
10. Sharma K., et al. (2024). Vermicompost impact on seed germination and crop yield. Agriculture, 14(2), 215.

vermicomposting, Eisenia fetida, biohumus, organic waste, soil fertility, Aktobe region