Effects of Owinema Bio-Preparation on Vermicomposting in Earthworm Ecological Boxes

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper is interesting in showing that a bioinsecticide can be successfully used to control nematodes which can impede proper vermicomposting. 

The content of total nitrogen was tested by Kjeldahl methodology, and the phosphorus content was tested by using vanadic-molybdenic method. The level of potassium, calcium and magnesium (mg··dm־3) was analysed using an ASA method. --> show reference reffered Fig 6: Polish should be translated into English.  Figs. 2- 5: need to be improved in graphic quality. Conclusion should be presented comprehensively with a clear and concise paragraph rather than showing summary of the results. The most representative results of significance, limitation of the study, potential application of the study and future study necessary, etc. should be included.  Question: Is it possible to scale up this study of lab scale into a full scale for the industrial use? If so, what would be highly limitation factors? Please present all inportant factor that could be operating in the full scale implementation. 

Author Response

Response to reviewer 1 comments

 Effects of Owinema Biopreparation on Vermicomposting in Earthworm Ecological Boxes

Please see our responses to the point raised by reviewer below:

 

English language ad style are fine/minor spell check required

Thank you. Corrected.

The content of total nitrogen was tested by Kjeldahl methodology, and the phosphorus contet was tested by using vanadic-molybdenic method. The level of potassium, calcium and magnesium (mg dm-3) was analysed using an ASA method. - show referece reffered

Corrected.

Fig. 6. Polish should be translated into English

Corrected.

Figs. 2-5: need to improved in graphic quality.

Corrected.

Conclusion should be presented comprehensively with a clear and conciace paragraph rather than showing summary of the results. The most representative results of significance, limitation of the study, potential application of the study and future study necessary, etc. should be included.

Thank you, we have hopefully addressed the points raised.

Question: Is it possible to scale up this study of lab scale into a full scale for the industrial use? If so, what would be highly limitation factors? Please present all important factor that could be operating in the full scale implementation.

Thank you. we have hopefully addressed the points raised.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript “Effects of Owinema Biopreparation on Vermicomposting in Earthworm Ecological Boxes” needs major revision

English needs some revision.

Lines 101-104. Does it mean that flies were inoculated into vermicomposting boxes?

Statistics
It is not clear how sampling was done but I assume that authors repeadtely sampled the 10 boxes five times so they must use an statistical model that controls the lack of independence between sampling measurements through time like RM-ANOVA or mixed-models.
Please redo analysis and rewrite results and discussion properly.

Data about biomass is somewhat redundant: if there are more earthworms there should be more biomass.
Please join figures 6A and 6B into one for example using different colors for control and treatment points. Anyway please put into english all the text of figures

Please add post-hoc test to figures 7a and 7b

Given data from table 5 it seems irrelevant the use of Owinema to obtain vermicompost since there were not any differences in all parameters analyzed. I miss from this table organic matter content and a measure of microbial activity.

Lines 195-224. This part seems to be more introduction than discussion. The same for the next two parragraphs

 

Author Response

Response to the reviewer 2 comments:

Effects of Owinema Biopreparation on Vermicomposting in Earthworm Ecological Boxes

Please see our responses to the points raised by the reviewer below:

English needs some revision.

Corrected.

Lines 101-104. Does it mean that flies were inoculated into vermicomposting boxes?

Flies were inoculated into vermicomposting boxes.

Statistics: It is not clear how sampling was done but I assume that authors repeadtely sampled the 10 boxes five times so they must use an statistical model that controls the lack of independence between sampling measurements through time like RM-ANOVA or mixed - models. Please redo analysis and rewrite results and discussion properly.

Thank you. RM-ANOVA was used but it is not sensitive to catch differences, so I reply on the previous analysis and treat these measurment as independent.

Data about biomass is somewhat redundant: if there are more earthworm there should be more biomass.

Biomass is an important factor in changing the population of earthworm, there may be more earthworm with less biomass becausy energy allocation to other life processes in response to environmental factor.

Please joint figures 6A and 6B into one for example using different colors for control and treatment points. Anyway please put into english all the text of figures.

Done.

Please add post-hoc test to figures 7a and 7b

Done.

Given data from table 5 it seems irrelevant the use of Owinema to obtain vermicompost since there not any differences in all parameters analysed.

As presented in the article, the purpose of the biopreparation was to eliminate flies from organic matter processed in vermiculture. The larvae in these insects are food competitiors for earthworms and may interfere with the vermicomposting process. Therfore, in our opinion it important to show that the use of Owinema has no significant (negative) effect of the quality of the fertilizer obtained.

I miss from this table organic matter content and measure of microbial activity.

The analysis of the respiratory activity of microorganisims was not the goal in this study, because the biopreparation containing living S. feltiae nematods larvae should not affect the qualitative and quantitative structure of microorganisms. The resulting vermicompost is widely used e.g. in gardening as an organic fertilizer. Therfore, in this study the basic chemical parameters of vermicompost including basic nutrients for plants, are presented. 

Lines 195-224. This part seems to be more introduction than discusion. The same for the next two parragraphs.

Done.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

I consider that after corrections the manuscript has improved significantly. However, I found that statistics were not corrected.

 

 

Statistics: It is not clear how sampling was done but I assume that authors repeadtely sampled the 10 boxes five times so they must use an statistical model that controls the lack of independence between sampling measurements through time like RM-ANOVA or mixed - models. Please redo analysis and rewrite results and discussion properly.

Thank you. RM-ANOVA was used but it is not sensitive to catch differences, so I reply on the previous analysis and treat these measurment as independent.

This response cannot be accepted