VERMICOMPOSTING

Submitted by:

Dr. Sakshi Verma

Assistant Professor

Zoology Department

INTRODUCTION

• Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworms convert the organic waste into manure rich in high nutritional content.

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• It is one of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to produce quality compost. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casts.
• Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in nutrients (such as nitrates and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium), growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes.

• Vermicompost is stable, fine granular organic manure, which enriches soil quality by improving its physicochemical and biological properties. It is highly useful in raising seedlings and for crop production. Vermicompost is becoming popular as a major component of organic farming system.

• These are used as fertilizers and enhance soil quality.

Types of Earthworm

• There are different species of earthworms viz. Eisenia foetida (Red earthworm), Eudrilus eugeniae (night crawler), Perionyx excavatus etc. Red earthworm is preferred because of its high multiplication rate and thereby converts the organic matter into vermicompost within 45-50 days. Since it is a surface feeder it converts organic materials into vermicompost from top

Important characteristics of red earthworm (Eisenia foetida)

• Body length 3-10cm
• Body weight 0.4-0.6g
• Maturity 50-55days
• Conversion rate 2.0 q/1500worms/2 months Cocoon production 1 in every 3 days Incubation of cocoon 20-23days

Benefits/Advantages of Vermicomposting

Benefits/Advantages of Vermicomposting

• Vermicomposting turns the kitchen waste and other green waste into dark, nutrient-rich soil. Due to the presence of microorganisms, it maintains healthy soil.
• Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly process that recycles organic waste into compost and produces valuable nutrients.

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Remediation of polluted soil

Earthworms and microorganisms present in vermicompost can repair soil polluted with hydrocarbons, agrochemical pollution, heavy metal-free radicals and other contaminants

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• Bed method : Composting is done on the pucca / kachcha floor by making bed (6x2x2 feet size) of organic mixture. This method is easy to maintain and to practice (Fig.1).

The nutrients profile of vermicompost is:

• 1.6 per cent of Nitrogen.
• 0.7 per cent of Phosphorus.
• 0.8 per cent of Potassium.
• 0.5 per cent of Calcium.
• 0.2 per cent of Magnesium.
• 175 ppm of Iron.
• 96.5 ppm of Manganese.
• 24.5 ppm of Zinc.

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Procedure

• To prepare compost, either a plastic or a concrete tank can be used. The size of the tank depends upon the availability of raw materials.
• Collect the biomass and place it under the sun for about 8-12 days. Now chop it to the required size using the cutter.
• Prepare a cow dung slurry and sprinkle it on the heap for quick decomposition.
• Add a layer (2 – 3 inch) of soil or sand at the bottom of the tank.
• Now prepare fine bedding by adding partially decomposed cow dung, dried leaves and other biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen. Distribute them evenly on the sand layer.
• Continue adding both the chopped bio-waste and partially decomposed cow dung layer-wise into the tank up to a depth of 0.5-1.0 ft.

Procedure

• After adding all the bio-wastes, release the earthworm species over the mixture and cover the compost mixture with dry straw or gunny bags.
• Sprinkle water on a regular basis to maintain the moisture content of the compost.
• Cover the tank with a thatch roof to prevent the entry of ants, lizards, mouse, snakes, etc. and protect the compost from rainwater and direct sunshine.
• Have a frequent check to avoid the compost from overheating. Maintain proper moisture and temperature.

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Disadvantages of Vermicomposting

• Following are the important disadvantages of vermicomposting:
• It is a time-consuming process and takes as long as six months to convert the organic matter into usable forms.
• It releases a very foul odour.
• Vermicomposting is high maintenance. The feed has to be added periodically and care should be taken that the worms are not flooded with too much to eat.
• The bin should not be too dry or too wet. The moisture levels need to be monitored periodically.
• They nurture the growth of pests and pathogens such as fruit flies, centipede and flies.

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REFERENCES:

• Vermicomposting | Its Methods, Advantages and Disadvantages (farmpractices.com)
• Vermicomposting Process Steps: Pit Method, Bed Method, Diagram, and Pdf (gardeningtips.in)
• Vermicomposting (vikaspedia.in)
• Vermicomposting: an eco-friendly approach for waste management and nutrient enhancement | SpringerLink