Vermi-composting - A technique for waste managementManoj Sharma,
Rajan Bhatt and Gagandeep Kaur Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapurthala,
144620. Punjab, India [email protected] The Plough is one of the
most ancient and most valuable mans inventions, but long before he
existed the land was infact regularly ploughed by earthworm
(Charles Darwin). Introduction India has a long tradition of
agriculture with a rich heritage of eco-friendly agricultural
technologies. The tropical climate prevailing in India is very
congenial for farming. Taking an advantage of favourable
environmental conditions, the Indian farmers developed such
technologies, which were used to reap a big harvest throughout the
ages, without disturbing the ecological balance. After 1950, India
adopted modern agricultural technologies, which included use of
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, hybrid seeds, etc.
Unfortunately, extravagant use of these technologies and inference
in natural processes, so called modern agricultural technologies
seem to be failed in maintaining the harmony with nature. As a
result even sustainability of agriculture as a whole is at stake.
Intervention of Vermiculture Technology : The farmers now have been
realized the disadvantages and are trying to turn back and are
inclining toward organic farming. In fact, they need some
efficient, dynamic package of organic farming technologies. Before
switching over from chemical agriculture to organic agriculture
they want some technology which will perform as a missing link
between the two extremes. Considering the tropical climate of
India, vermiculture technology seems to be one of the most
appropriate technologies for Indian farmer. It has been found that
this technology is not only an appropriate one but also can play a
role of missing link between chemical and organic agriculture to
Indian farmer. Moreover, the energy required (petro-chemicals) in
chemical fertilizers and pesticides is non-renewable and costly.
Small farmers cannot afford these chemical fertilizers because the
soil needs more and more of these chemicals. On
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the face of this, vermi-compost technology will save a lot of
foreign exchange and also the fossil energy. In addition, we will
have much better sustainable agriculture. The moneymaking potential
of vermiculture is so attractive that it is rapidly becoming a
growth industry. There are three key components of commercial
vermiculture which explain its present appeal and future potential:
First, red worms are capable of transforming huge amounts of waste
which is of growing concern in our society. For those, who are
raising worms for profit, this implies the feedstock is generally
plentiful and free. Second, the worm population can double in 2 to
4 months. Thus, after acquiring an initial inventory as breeding
stock, sales of worms can be realized in a relatively short time,
particularly when comparing their prolific breeding rates to other
forms of livestock. Third, the production of castings ("worm
manure") is a highly-prized soil amendment, sought by landscapers,
gardeners, and horticulturists. Table 1.Nutrient Composition of
Vermi-compost and Farm Yard Manure Nutrient Element Nitrogen
Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Zinc Copper Iron Maganese
Vermi-compost (%) 0.51-1.61 0.19-1.02 0.15-0.73 1.18-7.61
0.093-0.568 0.0042-0.110 0.0026-0.0048 0.2050-1.3313 0.0105-0.2038
Farm yard manure (%) 0.5-0.8 0.2-0.25 0.5-0.6 0.9-1.0 0.2-0.3 0.014
0.0028 0.069-0.080 0.146-0.160
Vermi-composting Vermi-composting is a process of recycling
organic matter into nutrient-rich compost using worms. As worms
ingest and digest decomposing plant material and soil, their
digestive tracts process the organic matter and important nutrients
are returned to the soil through castings or worm waste. Worms
consume approximately 3 times their weight per week. A worm casting
is also known as worm cast or vermi cast which is a biologically
active mould containing humus, thousands of bacteria, enzymes, and
remnants of plant materials and animal manures that were not
digested by the earthworms.
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Process of compost formation Vermi-compost is produced using two
composting processes. The first, thermophylic composting in which
temperature increases to over 131 degrees F. to ensure a product
free from weed seeds and harmful organisms. The second,
vermi-composting, adds valuable attributes such as water retention,
texture, nutrient availability, a rich earthy fragrance and an
ability to fight soil-borne plant diseases such as root rot.
Redworm castings contain a high percentage of humus. Humus helps
soil particles to form into clusters which create channels for the
passage of air and improve its capacity to hold water. Humic acid
present in humus, provides binding sites for the planet nutrients
but also releases them to the plants upon demand. Humus is believed
to aid in the prevention of harmful plant pathogens, fungi,
nematodes and bacteria. Scope of Vermi compost as manure In waste
management, we are all aware that we have to do more than just
waste prevention and recycling processes. In organic waste
management, it is more complex and is also difficult to create a
sustainable market for selling of compost under Indian conditions.
Compost formation is generally considered as a thermophilic process
using heat to kill undesirable bacteria, pathogens and seeds, but
unfortunately this process can also kill the beneficial bacteria
and micro organisms. Compost is primarily marketed as a soil
conditioner and secondarily as a nutrient source. Man made compost
is created with nature's help in which various organic waste
materials are given the opportunity to interact with micro
organisms like fungi, bacteria and worms in a mesophillic process.
This all happens within an area where moisture, temperature,
aeration and pH are kept under controlled. On the other hand, the
vermi culture technique, if managed properly is also capable of
reducing and eradicating pathogen and seeds, without killing the
beneficial bacteria and micro organisms. Productive ecosystems
require available nutrients. For nutrients to become readily
available to plants, they must be mineralized by interaction of
decomposers i. e. bacteria, fungi and predators (protozoa,
nematodes, micro -arthropods and earthworms). Understanding the
structure and function of the soil medium and how it can control
plant vegetation is therefore of great importance. Vermi-compost is
rich in nutrients and these nutrients are available in a well
balanced form and in the right proportions for use by the roots of
plants. It also makes plants disease-resistant and increases crop
quality and taste. Hence, vermiculture process is a low
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cost, high quality, value adding product outcome option for the
farmers as well as industrialists. Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) about vermicomposting 1. What species of worm can be used
for vermicompost? No, a special variety of red worm called Eisenia
foetida is used for making vermi- compost. It is important to
mention that these are not garden variety worms which are called
earth worms.. Red worms eat de-composing food, organic waste
material and manure. 2. What kind of care do worms need? Red worms
want a warm, dark, moist place to live. They thrive well when one
feeds them on a variety of chopped up left over of vegetables,
leaves, grasses, manures, all types organic wastes available at the
home or at the farm. It would be beneficial to cover the site of
vermi-composting unit from the top with a old gunny bag in order to
prevent the picking up of worms by the predators. Covering will
also help in keeping the top layer moist by preventing drying up of
top layer. 3. What conditions are not good for worms? Worms do not
like light. Too much ultraviolet light will kill them. Never start
vermi-composting unit under direct sun light. Worms do not like
heat which means that they can not be put into a hot compost pile.
It will make them sick or will die. Worms do not relish water
because they breathe through their skin. Therefore, try to keep
them moist but not wet. Excessive rain water if entered in the unit
, it may destroy the whole process. Therefore, shelter is must to
prevent damage of worms from rain water and direct Sunlight. Hence
, farmers must take good care of the worms so that they can
multiply and make lots of odorless, non-toxic vermi compost manure.
4. Is vermi-compost good for all types of plants ? Yes,
Vermi-compost releases nutrients slowly which are readily available
to plants. Castings contain the plant nutrients which are secreted
by the earthworms. These castings have excellent structure,
porosity, aeration and water retention capabilities. The product
can insulate plant roots from extreme temperatures, reduce erosion
and control weeds. It is odorless and consists of 100% recycled
materials. The activity of the earthworm gut is like a miniature
composting tube that mixes, conditions, and inoculates the
residues. Moisture, pH, and microbial populations in the gut are
favorably maintained for a synergistic relationship, and then a
very good end product. They make plants to grow fast and strong.
The effects of using vermi-compost are immediately noticeable.
Nematodes and diseases will not ruin gardens or plants if the
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soil is rich enough for them to grow fast. It is worth to
mention that it is the weak plant in poor soil that is destroyed by
nematodes and diseases. 5. What types of nutrients do vermi-compost
contain? Castings contain 5 times the available nitrogen, 7 times
the available potash and 1 1/2 times more calcium than found in
15cm of good top soil. Castings are supplied with available
nutrients which are water soluble and immediately available to
plant life. Worm castings hold 2-3 times water than their weight
,which indicates that less water is required and the flower pot or
field, where application have been made, will remain moist for a
longer period. Apart from these the vermicompost contains thousands
of beneficial bacteria and surprisingly the bacterial population of
a cast is much greater than the bacterial population of the waste
they ingest or what is present in earthworms gut. 6. What are the
major problems in vermi-compost formation The probable problems
which one can face in end product (compost) along with the causes
and probable solutions are given as under: Table 2. Symptoms Rotten
egg odour Problems This is due to the excess moisture (anaerobic
conditions) This is due to presence of high-nitrogen containing
materials. -Lack of moisture and nitrogen, due to too much
high-carbon material in the pile. -Low pile temperature -Pile too
small -Cold weather -Poor aeration -Pile too large Solutions Turn
pile frequently and add dry material such as leaves or straw. Make
sure bin has drainage provision, remove top cover in order to allow
more air to flow away ammonium odour. Add dried high-carbon
containing material such as leaves, wood chips, shredded newspaper,
or straw. -Add water as needed -Add material high in nitrogen.
-Increase pile size. -Insulate pile with straw or other materials
-Give frequent turning to the pile.
Too much green colour
Slow decompositio n process
High pile
Reduce pile size
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temperature (over 140For 60C) Unwanted pests
-Insufficient ventilation Wrong materials the pile
Turn pile Don't add animal or dairy in products, fatty food.
Keep pile moist, Turn pile to increase temperature
7. How much compost is to be used for different crops? The
recommended dose of vermi-compost for different crops is given as
under: Cereals: Pulses: Vegetables crops: Potted plants : compost
5t /ha 2-3 kg per plant up to the age of 2 yrs 5 kg per plant above
2 yrs of age. 3 parts soil and one part of vermi-
Thus at last, we can say that vermi-composting is a new
technique which helps the farmers a lot in decomposing their waste
material, improving the soil fertility and thus improving their
crop yield. 8. From where to get training to start vermicomposting
unit at farmers field ? Farmers can acquire training from the
following agencies: 1. Krishi vigyan kendras established at
district level in the country 2. State departments of Horticulture
3. State agricultural universities 4. ICAR institutes 5. NGOs
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Identification of worm composting
Practical training on vermi-
For further information please write to: Deputy Director
(Training), Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kapurthala, Punjab-144620 (India)
[email protected] or [email protected]
