VERMICOMPOSTING

·         The process of composting by using Earthworm is called Vermicomposting.

·         During Vermicomposting, earthworms convert the complex form of substances into simple form of end product.

·         Vermiculture means scientific method of breeding and raising earthworms in controlled conditions.

·         Vermitechnology is the combination of Vermiculture and Vermicomposting.

 Earthworms used in Vermicomposting

Earthworms are also called as Living composters because they live in the soil, mixing it, making it porous as they help decompose soil organic matter. Earthworm casts are the excrete of earthworms. These Earthworm casts contain five times the nitrogen of ordinary soil, seven times the phosphorus, eleven times the potash, two times the calcium and magnesium, and eight times the Actinomycetes.

The most common Earthworm species used for Vermicomposting are:

a)     Drawidiella nepalensis

b)     Eisenia foetida

c)      Eisenia andrei

d)     Lumbricus rubellus

e)      Eudrilus euginiae

f)       Perionyx excavates

Substrates used for Vermicomposting

1)     Small Scale (or) Home System

·         Fruit wastes (Banana and Orange peels)

·         Vegetable wastes

·         Tea waste

·         Coffee waste

·         Egg shell waste

·         Grain wastes

·         Leaves

2)     Large Scale (or) Commercial

·         Cow or pig manure

·         Sewage sludge

·         Brewery wastes

·         Sugar mill wastes

·         Agricultural wastes

·         Cotton mill wastes

·         Wood chips

Vermicomposting process

1)     Preparation of pots or cement tanks

2)     Addition of substrates or waste materials (Waste should be used in single or double or triple for composting)

3)     Application of Earthworms

4)     Vermicomposting of wastes for 90 days.

5)     Checking of various parameters during Vermicomposting at 30 days interval for 90 days (30^th Day, 60^th Day and 90^th Day).

6)     During Vermicomposting, special care should be taken to prevent the vermicompost tank from various insects and pests.

Parameters to be checked during Vermicomposting

1)     Temperature, pH and Moisture

2)     Organic carbon content (Before composting high & after composting becomes low)

3)     Nitrogen content (Before composting low & after composting becomes high)

4)     Phosphorous content (Before composting low & after composting becomes high)

5)     Potassium content (Before composting low & after composting becomes high)

6)     Enzymes content (Before composting low & after composting becomes high)

7)     Minerals content (Before composting low & after composting becomes high)

8)     Cellulose content (Before composting high & after composting becomes low)

9)     Hemicellulose content (Before composting high & after composting becomes low)

10) Lignin content (Before composting high & after composting becomes low)

Advantages of Vermicomposting

1)     Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients.

2)     Vermicompost provides excellent effect on overall plant growth, encourages the growth of new

3)     Vermicompost is free flowing, easy to apply, handle and store and does not have bad odour.

4)     It improves soil structure, texture, aeration and water holding capacity and prevents soil erosion.

5)     Vermicompost is rich in beneficial micro flora such as a fixers, P- solubilizers, cellulose decomposing microflora etc., in addition to improve soil environment.

6)     Vermicompost contains earthworm cocoons and increases the population and activity of earthworm in the soil.

7)     Vermicompost neutralizes the soil protection.

8)     Vermicompost prevents nutrient losses and increases the use efficiency of chemical fertilizers.

9)      Vermicompost is free from pathogens, toxic elements, weed seeds etc.

10) Vermicompost minimizes the incidence of pest and diseases.

11) Vermicompost enhances the decomposition of organic matter in soil.

12) Vermicompost contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxins and. gibberellins.