PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Poultry waste (chicken manure [CD] and chicken feathers [CF]), and agricultural waste, including mushroom media residue (MMR) and banana trunks (BT), were utilised in this vermicomposting with different proportions (15 ratios). This study primarily introduced earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) and Bacillus subtilis (3.9 × 10^-5 CFU/mL) as degradation agents. Both agents were added on day 14 into bins, mixed thoroughly, and the subsequent substrate was then retained for the 60-day composting process. T9 treatments demonstrated enhanced biodegradability of chicken feather waste, achieving a biodegradation rate (Kb%) exceeding 80%. The earthworm population increased by 62%, and there was a 53% weight gain in earthworm reproduction at day 60 for the ratio of 6:2:1:1. The maximum pH value was recorded in T1 (7.11±0.06). In contrast, the maximum EC value (ms/cm) was recorded at 3.5±0.40 in T4. The vermicompost contains a nitrogen compound (N) range (1.9%–4.4%), a potassium content (K₂O) between 7.81%–22.9%, and phosphorus (P₂O₅) within 0.91%–3.03%. The investigation revealed that T11 had the highest dehydrogenase enzyme (DHA) activity, whereas T13 showed a greater catalase activity, and T3 exhibited the maximum keratinase enzyme activity. DHA activity showed a correlation with K₂O (r^²=0.507) and also demonstrated a correlation with P₂O₅. Correlation studies have found that enzyme activity and physico-chemical properties influence the vermicomposting process of chicken feathers.