Abstract: Saw dusts were added to mixed waste of pericarp and vegetable offal sampled from a food market in Weigang of Nanjing.Eisenia foetida was introduced with a proper density into the mixture,which was placed under optimal moisture,and proper temperature in the laboratory.Daily growth and reproduction of Eisenia foetida were monitored during vermicomposting,and so were dry weight and chemical characteristics of vermicomposts after 60 days of vermicomposting.Results show that Eisenia foetida significantly accelerated mineralization of the organic waste,increased total N and decreased organic C and C/N ratio of the vermicomposts.Addition of saw dusts had a certain adverse effect on growth and reproduction of the earthworms,which,however,developed and reproduced well in the treatments with 25% and 40% of saw dusts during the 60 days of incubation.It is indicated that the addition of saw dusts and inoculation of earthworms are effective and workable to reduce,recycle and reuse the organic waste.

Key words: vermicomposting, Eisenia foetida, pericarp, vegetable offal, waste, saw dust