Lecture Vermiculture

7/30/2019 Lecture Vermiculture

1/70

Prepared by:

Oscar Aala

Helen Rantugan

and

Jocelyn Ricafort

AGRONOMY SECTION


2/70

Vermes Latin word for worms

Vermicomposting is the process of producing

organic fertilizer through the

action of earthworms

Vermicultureis the process of raisingearthworms or worm farming


3/70

Substrate is the mixture feed to the worms which they willexcrete as vermicasts. They also serve as their habitat

Vermicast- is a worm excreta. It is granular in aggregates whichare mineral granules bonded in such a way that they areresistant to erosion and soil compaction.

Vermicompost or worm compost- mixture of vermicastswith some of the substrate that the worms have not eaten.

Vermimeal- is a processed earthworm biomass in powdered formfor use as an animal protein source.


4/70

EARTHWORM & ITS STRUCTURE

Earthworms aresegmentedinvertebrates thatinhabit soils and organicwaste.- externally segmented

- no skeleton- possessed thin colored

cuticle-tube within a tube

- has digestive tractthat runs the length ofthe body.


5/70


6/70

Contn

- reproductiveorgans,water balancecontrol and nervoussystem lie b/w 2 tubes

- outer and inner tubesare made-up of strongsets of muscle.

- with blood-like fluidthat fills the rests of thespace b/w the 2 tubes.


7/70

Earthworm species used in vermicomposting

1. Red Wiggler Eisenia fetida

2. Red Tiger Eisenia andrei3. Red Worms Lumbricus rubellus

6. African Nightcrawlers Eudrilus euginae

4. Blue Worms Perionyx escavatus

Tropical Species

Temperate Species


8/70

Reproduction of EarthwormsReproduction Cycle ofEudrilus euginae


9/70

Reproduction and Growth Rate

African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae)

3.6 cocoons per adult per week

81% hatching success rate

2.3 hatchlings per cocoon6.7 youngs per adult per week

Maximum Growth Rate

13-27 days for the cocoons to hatch (20 days ave.)

32-95 days from hatching to sexual maturity (63 d ave.)

43-122 days from egg to maturity (83 days ave.)


10/70

Contn..

Perionex excavatus

19.5 cocoons per adult per week

90.7% hatching success rate

1.1 hatchling per cocoon

19.4 youngs per adult per week

Maximum Growth Rate

16-21 days for the cocoon to hatch (18.5 days ave.)

29-55 days from hatching to sexual maturity (42 d ave.)

45-76 days from egg to maturity (60.5 days ave.)


11/70

PROCESS CHART FOR VERMICULTURE/VERMICOMPOSTINGPREPARATIONS

Organic

wastevermicomposting

vermicasts

earthworms


12/70

STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING

SITE SELECTION

GATHERING OF ORGANIC MATERIALS

ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION(20-30 days)

AEROBIC DECOMPOSITION

(40-60 days)

VERMICOMPOST EARTHWORM BIOMASS


13/70

STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING

Site Selection must be shaded, well-drained

with available water supply

Anaerobic stage raw materials are mixed, watered and

covered in receptacle or vermicomposting

unit (bin) to initiate anaerobic decompositionfor 10 15 days

Aerobic stage this is the stage wherein earthwormsareintroduced into the substrate. Aerobic decompo-

sitionlasts for 40-60 days depending on thematerials used. Within the period, watering(not soggy)is done regularly to provide therightmoisture (60-80%) for the earthworm to growand multiply


14/70

SUITABLE ORGANIC WASTES FOREARTHWORM PROCESSING

ANIMALWASTE Cattle

Horse

Pig

Chicken

Rabbit

INDUSTRIAL /URBAN

Saw dust Sugar baggase

Paper

Restaurant

Food market

PLANT REFUSE Leaves

- ipil-ipil

- accacia- banana etc.

Vegetable waste- kitchen & market

Grasses/straws/cornstalks

Leguminousplants


15/70

Raw Materials for Vermicompostingaccording to Element Source

Nitrogen Source: Farm Animal waste

Cow manure Hog manure

Poultry manure Goat manure

Green Manure Legumes Ipil-ipil Madre cacao Sunflower Azolla or peanuts


16/70

Potassium Source: Rice straw Corn stalk Corn cobs Banana trunk Coconut trunk Sugarcane Trunk Water Lilies Pineapple peelings Biodegradable garbage


17/70

Phosphorus Source: Guano

Egg shell

Sea shell Mud press


18/70

Properties of Vermicompost

has high porosity, aeration , drainage, highwater and nutrient-holding capacity.

contains macro and micro-nutrients readilyavailable to plants.

contains plant growth hormones and humicacids which act as plant growth regulators.


19/70

COLLECTION OF SUBSTRATES


20/70

PREPARATION OF SUBSTRATES


21/70


22/70


23/70


24/70


25/70


26/70


27/70


28/70


29/70

Feeding the earthworms


30/70


31/70

Different types of vermibin


32/70

Vermicomposting in hollow-block bin


33/70


34/70

Contn..


35/70

Design of earthworm beds

1 m

5 m

0.35 m

2.5 m


36/70

Earthworms in action


37/70

Vermicast/vermicompost


38/70

Harvesting Segregate the worms manually.

Scrape the vermicasts slowly not to harm theworms. This can be done by tapping the vermicastlightly so that the worms will move downward andwe can freely remove the vermicasts withoutdamaging the worms.

Segregate the mature or breeder from the juvenileworms. Mature worms can be sold as breedingmaterials or use again in another vermicompostingactivity while juveniles can be transferred toanother bin for them to grow.


39/70

When 90 % of the substrate were

consumed(visual estimate) stop waterapplication to the worm bin for one week foreasy segregation of worms from thevermicompost.


40/70

Segregate the worms manually.


41/70

Unconsumed substrates can be collected andmixed with the newly prepared substrate until

they are totally consumed by the worms. Do not sun dry the harvested vermicomposts.

Maintain 30 % moisture content. Put the castingsin perforated plastic bags, sacks.

To transport earthworms, place them in a bag(katsa) and tie the open end with a rubber band.This container can provide the worms properaeration.


42/70


43/70

ADVANTAGES OFVERMICOMPOSTING/VERMI CULTURE Environment friendly since earthworms

feed on any thing that is biodegradable,vermi-composting partially aids in thegarbage disposal problems.

No expensive inputs required worms arenow locally available and the materials asfeed to them are abundant in the locality as

market wastes, grasses, used papers andfarm wastes.


44/70

Profitable both worms and castings can besold.

Worms could be used as feed to animals.

Worms are efficient wastes converters, Thusdecomposition is fast.

Vermicast is an effective bio-fertilizer andmedia for seedlings and potted plants.


45/70

BENEFITS OF VERMICOMPOST1. Increase moisture and nutrient retention of soil

2. Improves aeration and root penetration

3. Reduces crusting of soil surface4. Micronutrients are added

5. Increases the number of beneficial soil

organisms that suppress harmful soilorganism and enhance the release ofnutrients from the substrates.

Composition of Vermicompost Derived from


46/70

Different SubstratesSubstrate Moisture

(%)N (%) P2O5 (%) K2O

(%)

Ca

(%)

Mg

(%)

Fe

(%)

Mn

(%)

O.M.(%)

Horse

Manure

10.26 1.77 3.16 0.44 0.44 0.92 1.00 0.01 39.78

Market

Wastes

16.14 1.16 0.87 0.27 0.54 1.39 1.61 0.01 25.32

Rice

Straw

4.37 1.18 0.71 1.68 1.20 0.70 3.65 0.11 32.14

75% sawdust

25% Kakawati

23.98 0.59 ND 0.39 1.52 1.38 0.11 ND -

PaperSubstrate

17.43 0.76 ND 0.12 1.22 ND 0.14 0.11 -

KitchenWaste

8.46 2.43 0.37 1.03 7.67 1.02 - - -

Grasses 5.78 1.11 0.56 1.29 0.59 0.59 2.93 0.09 -

BananaLeaves(Dried)

10.42 1.21 0.53 2.93 1.89 0.70 0.86 0.05 -

Camote - 2.52 2.32 1.56 3.46 0.46 0.84 3.30 41.56

RabbitManure

- 1.27 1.04 0.68 0.88 0.49 1.40 1.12 30.43


47/70

C:N Ratio

Why is C:N Ratio Important? Decomposition of organic material (C) by

microorganisms requires N -- will stunt

plant growth if C:N ratio is to high Good C:N Ratio = 30:1

Carbon to Nitrogen RatioFor Selected Materials(by WeightMaterial )


48/70

Carbon to Nitrogen RatioFor Selected Materials(by WeightMaterial )

C:N Materials with High Nitrogen Values Vegetable Waste 12-20 : 1 Coffee Grounds 20 : 1 Grass Clippings 12-25 : 1 Cow Manure 20 : 1 Horse Manure 25 : 1 Horse Manure (with Liter) 30-60 : 1 Poultry Manure (Fresh) 10 : 1

Poultry Manure (with Liter) 13-18 : 1 Pig Manure 5-7 : 1

Materials with High Carbon Value Foliage (Leaves) 30-80 : 1 Corn Stalks 60 : 1

Straw 40-100 : 1 Bark 100-130 : 1 Paper 150-200 : 1 Wood Chips and Sawdust 100-500 : 1

M j Pl t N t i t El t i E th


49/70

Major Plant Nutrient Elements in Earthworm-

Processed Animal Waste

Element Content (% Dry Weight)

Waste Material N P K Ca Mg Mn

Separated CattleSolids

2.20 0.40 0.19 1.20 0.25 0.02

Separated PigSolids

2.60 1.70 1.40 3.40 0.55 0.03

Cattle Solids onStraw

2.50 0.50 2.50 1.55 0.30 0.05

Pig Solids on Straw 3.00 1.60 2.40 4.00 0.60 0.05

Duck Solids onStraw

2.60 2.90 1.70 9.50 1.00 0.10

Chicken solids onShavings 1.80 2.70 2.10 4.80 0.70 0.08

Commercial PlantGrowth Medium

1.80 0.21 0.48 0.94 2.20 0.92

Clive A. Edwards and Norman Q. Arancon

Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A.


50/70

Effect of Earthworm Activity on Nutrients in Organic

Waste

1.94 0.91 0.24

3.09 1.37 0.34

0.19

0.22

74.6

1428.0

Potato waste

Unworked

Worm worked

d.m., dry matter.

1.49 1.56 0.45

1.76 2.27 0.72

1.05

1.64

31.6

110.3

Pig wasteUnworked

Worm worked

0.19 0.35 0.05

0.41 0.59 0.08

0.11

0.18

8.8

259.4

Cattle waste

Unworked

Worm worked

Exchangeable

(% d.m.)

K Ca Mg

Readily SolubleP

(% d.m.)

Nitrate Nitrogen

(ppm)

Organic Waste

Clive A. Edwards and Norman Q. Arancon

Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University,Columbus, OH, U.S.A.

Chemical Characteristics of cattle manure-based vermicompost and


51/70

cattle manure- based traditional compost

Parameter Vermicompost*TraditionalCompost**

Total Nitrogen (%) 2.0 0.90

Phosphorous (%) 0.50 0.33

Patassium (%) 0.85 0.44

Calcium (%) 4.30 2.55

Magnesium (g -1 g-1) 0.56 0.50

Aluminum (g -1 g-1) 7002 7444

Copper (g -1 g-1) 30.5 15.6

Manganese (g -1 g-1) 523 388

Zinc (g -1 g-1)321 133

pH 6.8 7.5

*Vermicompost derived from 7.% organic materials composed ofGliricidia andLeucaena leaves and

twigs(25%) and Grasses (75%),plus 20% garden soil, plus 10% cattle manure. Nightcrawler earthworms

were inoculated in the vermi-bins.

**Traditional compost was derived from 70% organic materials composed ofGliricidia and Leucaena

leaves and twigs (25%) and grasses (75%), plus 20% ordinary garden soil and 10% of cattle manure

Eric F. Salamanca and Hiroto Aihira

(Institute of Agroforestry and Watershed Management, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Bocnotan, 2515 La Union)Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Manila, Philippines


52/70

Other organisms in the worm bin

Centipedes

Centipedes are swiftpredators that will killworms and need to beremoved immediately. Bereally careful, they will

use the claws behind theirheads to sting. Stingerspossess poison glandsthat they use to paralyzesmall earthworms, insect

larvae and small insectsand spiders. Centipedeshave one set of legs persegment on their bodies.


53/70

Earwigs

Earwigs are outdoor insectsusually found under mulch,

logs or dead leaves. They bothneed and are very attracted tomoisture. Rapid runners,earwigs are easily identified bythe prominent pincers on theend of the abdomen. The

common earwig is a light,reddish brown flattened insect,up to one inch in length. Mostspecies of earwigs arescavengers that feed on deadinsects and decaying plantmaterial. Some species arepredators. Earwigs may try topinch if handled carelessly, butare harmless to people.


54/70

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats look likesmall reddish brownmosquitoes. They areharmless to people andearthworms. The larvae

feed on fungus or plantroots. Adults attackhouseplants. To reducefungus gnat populations in

your worm bin, let it dryout by keeping the lid offuntil the bedding dries outa bit.


55/70

Isopods

Often called pill bugs,sow bugs, or roly-polies, Isopods looklike tiny armadillos.They are really

crustaceans withdelicate gills along theabdominal surface.Isopods need to bekept moist or they willdie. Isopods are

vegetarians, and willnot harm earthworms.

Milli d


56/70

Millipedes

Millipedes are vegetarians that eat decaying plant tissue.They are harmless to earthworms. Millipedes move much

more slowly than Centipedes and have a rounder body.Millipedes have two sets of legs per segment on theirbodies.


57/70

Springtails

Springtails are tiny,wingless insects, usuallywhite in color. They feed onmold, fungi, bacteria anddecomposing plant materialso they are harmless toearthworms. Springtails can

jump about 75 mm. Theyhave a tiny spring-likestructure under their belliesthat shoots them into theair when the catch istriggered. Springtails are

most numerous in wetterbedding, while numbersdecrease as the beddingdries out.


58/70

Land Planarians

Land Planarians, also calledFlatworms, are iridescent slimy

worms with a hammer or diskshaped head. They eat slugs,each other, and are voraciouspredators of earthworms. Muchlike slugs, they hide in dark,cool, moist areas during the day.Feeding and movement occur atnight. Land Planarians areextremely destructive toearthworm populations andneed to be removed and

destroyed upon sight. Smashingwill not destroy them, as theygrow back from small pieces.Spray with orange oil or bleach,or collect to dry out in hot sun.


59/70

Fruit Flies

A Fruit Fly has red eyes and abrownish colored body. They areattracted to decaying fruit andvegetable matter. Unfortunately,were there is rotting food, thereare usually Fruit Flies. At least

they are harmless, even if theyare a nuisance. Microwave orfreeze food before placing in theworm bin, as this destroys anyeggs that exist in the food waste,to prevent infestations. Old

fashioned, sticky fly strips workwell to clear out adult Fruit Flies.


60/70

Predators of Earthworms

Birds


61/70

Frogs


62/70

Lizards


63/70

ants


64/70

rats


65/70


66/70


67/70


68/70


69/70


70/70

Documents

Lecture Vermiculture