Evaluation of the consumption of agricultural and urban waste by the diplopod Trigoniulus corallinus as a strategy for formulating new combinations for the millicomposting process.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to measure the consumption of different types of plant waste by the diplopod species Trigoniulus corallinus, in order to determine which would be the most suitable for the millicomposting process. To this end, a waste consumption experiment was carried out in the laboratory, using a completely randomized experimental design with 15 replicates and 13 organic residues from different sources. After 10 days, the following parameters were evaluated dry mass of the waste used to feed the diplopods, dry mass of the fecal pellets, and diplopod mortality. Significant differences were observed in the consumption rates of the diplopods in the different treatments, with the highest rates being observed for Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, with 44.49%, followed by Gliricidia sepium chips, with 38.24%. The highest values for pellet mass were obtained from the decomposition of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia litter (0.891 g). The treatment with Syngonium auritum shavings showed 93% mortality after consumption, followed by the treatment with Heliconia psittacorum shavings, which showed 53%. Both species are ornamental and widely found in gardens and backyards. The diplopods have a preference for Mimosa caesalpiniifolia litter and Gliricidia sepium shavings. There is limited consumption of ornamental plant waste, with reports of toxicity to other organisms. Based on these results, a mixture of waste will be tested for millicomposting in urban farming areas that excludes toxic plants.