Madurai millipede project enters second phase

A research project undertaken to establish the importance of millipedes in increasing soil fertility through their nutrient-rich excreta has entered its second phase.

The Postgraduate and Research Department of Zoology of Yadava College here has been carrying out laboratory and field studies for the past five years on the role of millipedes in converting organic waste into valuable compost.

This project is receiving funding support from the University Grants Commission and millipede species are being identified in Alagarmalai Hills (Alagarkoil) and Sirumalai Hills (Dindigul district).

For the first phase of study between 2009 and 2012, the UGC had sanctioned Rs. 8 lakh and a further grant of Rs. 14 lakh has been extended now.

P. Alagesan, principal investigator and associate professor of zoology, told The Hindu on Monday that millipedes had outstanding ecological importance and played a crucial role in nutrient cycling within the soil.

“Millicomposting is the most suitable method for converting organic waste into compost. Despite the large availability of millipedes, they receive little attention from ecologists and are neglected in biological research. Excreta of millipedes is rich in nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorous,” he added.

Dr. Alagesan said that there were many publications in science journals which indicated that millicompost was better than vermicompost in increasing crop yield. “Farmers can try out this method which is unexplored. Millipedes are alternatives to earthworms,” he said.

In the first phase of study, the research team identified six millipede species in Alagarmalai Hills and Sirumalai Hills. The second phase, which begins next month, would characterise the dominant gut microbes and screen enzyme production which aid millipedes to digest the complicated plant-derived organic materials and convert them into organic nutrients suited for soil fertility.

“Many millipede species are thriving on plant litter in Alagarmalai Hills. Madurai will give a boost to myriapodology (study of millipedes),” Dr. Alagesan said. Interested farmers can contact him by dialling 94430 90709.