Vermicomposting preparation and its importance
- 2. Introduction • Vermicomposting is a technology of composting various forms of biodegradable wastes with the help of earthworms. •This compost is perfectly balanced and good in plants nutrients.
- 3. VERMI TECHNOLOGY Vermicomposting Vermiwash Vermiculture Inter- linked and inter-dependent processes Earthworms Natural Bio-reactor
- 4. Vermicomposting Vermicomposting is a method of composting wastes with earthworms. It is one of the very effective methods of conversion of wastes into useful manure. Vermicomposting differs from ordinary composting in several ways. It is a mesophilic process (10-32o C) utilizing micro organisms and earthworms and is faster than conventional composting, because the material passes through the earthworm gut where it undergoes enzymatic breakdown. The duration of residue decomposition is much less in case of vermicompost (around 100 days) whilst, in conventional compost it is 6 months.’
- 5. Vermicompost The end product of vermicomposting process is called vermicompost. The earthworms consume various organic wastes and reduce the volume by 40-60 per cent. Each earthworm weighs about 0.5 to 0.6g, eats waste equivalent to its body weight in a day and produces cast equivalent to about 50% of the waste it consumes. Though the nutrient value of vermicompost is lower than that of any standard chemical fertilizer but is better than that of conventional compost. Like any other compost, vermicompost can be incorporated into the soil for the supply of nutrients and for improving physical, chemical and biological properties of soil to ensure better crop productivity.
- 6. Vermicast • Vermicast contains excreta of the earthworms, earthworm cocoons and undigested feed. • These are rich in nutrients, vitamins, antibiotics, enzymes and plant growth regulators, and have high microbial activity. • The enzymes continue disintegration of organic matter even after excretion from the worms as casts.
- 7. Vermiwash • Advances in vermiculture technology have recently led to novel products like vermiwash which is prepared by washing the earthworm mass. • This product has now not only caught the attention of commercial vermiculturists but also the farmers. Farmers in their own way have started collecting vermiwash for foliar application. • For preparation of vermiwash, one-kilogram adult earthworms devoid of casts (approximately numbering 1000-1200 worms) are released into a trough containing 500 ml of lukewarm distilled water (37o C-40o C) and agitated for two minutes. • Earthworms are then taken out and again washed in another 500 ml of ordinary water and released back into the tanks. • The agitation in lukewarm water makes the earthworms release sufficient quantities of mucus and body fluids. Transferring into ordinary water serves to wash the mucus sticking still on to their body surface and also helps the earthworms to revive from the shock.
- 8. Benefits of vermicompost Vermicompost is a nutrient rich compost which: o Helps better plant growth and crop yield o Improves physical structure of soil. o Enriches soil with micro-organisms o Attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil which, indirectly improves fertility of soil. o Increase water holding capacity of soil. o Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield. o Improves root growth of plants. o Enriches soil with plant hormones such as auxins and gibberellic acid. o It is helpful in elimination of biowastes .
- 9. Vermiculture The rearing of earthworms is called vermiculture. Some of the important steps that need to be taken during the production of earthworms are as follows: Earthworm species: The species, which are suitable for making vermicompost, are epigeic. Earthworms of this group cannot make burrows in the soil. They can only move through the crevices of the soil surface. They are found in aggregates in litter heaps or in loose soil with high level of nitrogen. They feed exclusively on decomposing organic wastes. They remain active throughout the year if conditions are favourable in the environment. Eudrilus euegeniae and Eisenia fetida are bearing used as prominent composting earthworms; two more species namely, Perionyx excavatus and Dichogaster bolaui are also used for the purpose.
- 10. Requirements Earthworms Epigeic Litter and surface dwelling species ( ‘upon the earth’) Soil dwelling or upper soil surface ( ‘within the earth’) Endogeic Deep burrowing species (‘out of earth’) Anecic Ex. Eisenia foetida Ex. Octochaetona thrustoni Ex. Lampito mauritii
- 11. Requirements Cont’d…. Earthworms: Commonly following varities are used for vermicomposting Eisenia foetida Eudrilus eugeniae Perionyx excavatus
- 12. Location and size of pit • Vermiculture is generally done in pits or heaps, which are located under trees or in the vicinity of cattle sheds where there is shade with favourable ambient temperature. • A source of water should be near the pit or heap. • The pits or heaps should be located on high ground to avoid the entry of rainwater. • The pits are of two types, cemented or wooden bin of the size 4x2x2 ft (approx.). • The second type is pit of the same dimension with brick or stone lining at the bottom. • In such pits or heaps, 1 kg worm can multiply to as much as 2-3 kg within a period of 3-4 months.
- 13. Feeding materials for worms • Earthworms are reared using partially decomposed organic materials viz., partially decomposed cattle dung, vegetable wastes, soft plant leaves etc. the worms are likely to die if fresh organic materials are used in the culture pit due to the liberation of organic acids during their decomposition. • Worms also like to grow and multiply in material made of jute. Hence, jute gunny bags are used as wall lining, bottom lining and top cover of the pit.
- 14. Addition of earthworms and worm cocoons in the pit • The earthworms directly or cocoons are inoculated in the pit in layers. They are spread by hand in the small channels made by hand on the surface of food materials, that is, partially decomposed organic matter. • The channels are covered by hand. • Another layer of organic matter and cocoon worms in the pit. • Moisture and temperature should be maintained between 50-60% and 28-32o C, respectively.
- 15. Methods of vermicomposting In general, there are two methods of vermicomposting under field conditions. 1. Vermicomposting of wastes in field pits. 2. Vermicomposting of wastes on ground heaps. Vermicomposting of wastes in field pits • It is preferable to go for optimum sized pits of 20 feet length X 3 feet width x 2 feet deep for effective vermicomposting bed. • Series of such beds are to be prepared at one place. Vermicomposting of wastes on ground heaps • Instead of open pits, vermicomposting can be taken up in ground heaps. • Dome shaped beds (with organic wastes) are prepared and vermicomposting is taken up. • Optimum size of ground heaps may be 10 feet length x 3 feet width x 2 feet high.
- 16. Materials required for vermicomposting • Farm wastes (e.g., animal excreta, kitchen waste, farm residues and forest litter etc.) • Fresh dung and dried chopped crop residues are the key raw materials. • Earth worm: 1000-1200 adult worms (about 1 kg per quintal of waste material). • Water: 3-5 litres in every week per heap or pit. • Rock phosphate (In case when vermicompost is to be prepared by O- enrichment technique).
- 17. Vermicompost preparation under shade by pit and heap methods • Vermicomposting unit should be in a cool, moist and shady site • Cow dung and chopped dried leafy materials are mixed in the proportion of 3: 1 and are kept for partial decomposition for 15 – 20 days. • A layer of 15-20cm of chopped dried leaves/grasses should be kept as bedding material at the bottom of the bed. • Beds of partially decomposed material of size 6x2x2 feet should be made, which should be about 2 feet above the ground to avoid entry of rainwater into the pits. • Each bed should contain 1.5-2.0q of raw material and the number of beds can be increased as per raw material availability and requirement. • Earthworm (1500-2000) should be released on the upper layer of bed. • Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms.
- 18. • Beds should be kept moist by sprinkling of water (daily) and by covering with gunny bags/polythene. • Bed should be turned once after 30 days for maintaining aeration and for proper decomposition. • Compost gets ready in 45-50 days. • The finished product is 3/4th of the raw materials used.
- 20. Nutrient content of vermicompost The level of nutrients in compost depends upon the source of the raw material and the species of earthworm. A fine worm cast is rich in N P K besides other nutrients. Nutrients in vermicompost are in readily available form and are released within a month of application. Nutrient Analysis of Vermicompost Parameters Content pH 6.8 OC% 11.88 OM% 20.46 C/N ration 11.64 Total Nitrogen (%) 1.02 Available N (%) 0.50 Available P (%) 0.30 Available K (%) 0.24 Ca (%) 0.17 Mg (%) 0.06
- 21. Preventive measures The floor of the unit should be compact to prevent earthworms’ migration into the soil. 15-20 days old cow dung should be used to avoid excess heat. The organic wastes should be free from plastics, chemicals, pesticides and metals etc. Aeration should be maintained for proper growth and multiplication of earthworms. Optimum moisture level (30-40 %) should be maintained. 18-25o C temperature should be maintained for proper decomposition.
- 22. Advantages of vermicompost • Productive utilization of organic wastes materials such as agricultural wastes, animal droppings, forest litter and agro-based- industrial wastes. • Vermicompost is storehouse of plant nutrients, • To improve physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and ensure better crop productivity. • Earthworms improve the beneficial soil micro flora, destroy soil pathogens and convert organic wastes into vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics etc. • Earthworms are an important link in the natural food chain and promote soil health.