Vermicomposting is a composting method that uses earthworms to transform organic waste into a substance like humus. The compost created by the vermicomposting unit is called vermicompost.
The term vermicompost refers to the excrement of earthworms, which gives soil and plant vital life nutrients, aeration, porosity, structure, fertility and water-holding capacity.
Vermicomposting requires a tropical climate, green waste and an average temperature of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Due to its superior appetite and propensity for reproduction, Eisenia fetida is frequently used to break down organic green wastes.
See also: How to tell the difference between fertilizer and manure?
What is the meaning of vermicomposting?
It is the aerobic process that helps earthworms make organic compost by accelerating the breakdown of plant and animal waste.
Through the grinding action of their gizzard, worms digest agricultural, plant and farm wastes, excreting granular casts or “vermicasts.” Earthworm castings include simpler nutrients that plants can use right away, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.
What are benefits of vermicomposting?
- Creation of top-notch compost.
- Participating in solid waste management and trash recycling by turning agricultural and agro waste into beneficial bio-organic manure.
- By increasing soil fertility, it increases agricultural output.
- Supporting the use of organic farming methods.
- Increase in food output.
- The distribution of employment options to a rural family’s members.
Vermicomposting: Procedure requirements
- Earthworms are used in the vermiculture to break down organic matter into simpler minerals and nutrients.
- The process requires feedstock or raw materials, such as plant and animal excreta.
- Water is needed to keep the minimum moisture level at 40%.
Raw components
Organic green wastes from farms, kitchens, forests, etc. are included. The trash-to-dung ratio should be 1:1. The earthworms’ feedstock is raw materials, which should have the following ideal characteristics:
- It should be 75% water by volume.
- Less than 640 lb/ft³ should be the density.
- It should be free of any traces of chemicals, pesticides, and tannins.
Earthworms
They might be epigeic, endogeic, or anecic in terms of habitat. The most popular type of earthworm utilised worldwide for the vermiculture method is Eisenia fetida. They have a fast metabolism or can break down and turn organic materials into vermicompost in 45–50 days.
Vermicomposting: Process
Vermiculture is a technique that involves gathering earthworms, building a compost pit or bed, harvesting compost, packaging and marketing.
Assemblage of earthworms
It involves the subsequent actions:
- First, look at the castings left by earthworms on the soil’s surface.
- The next step is to make a solution using 500 g of jaggery, 500 g of cow dung, and 2 L of water.
- Then, apply the solution above to the soil surface in a 1 m x 1 m area.
- For around 20 to 30 days, keep sprinkling the solution and covering it with lumps of straw, then an old jute bag.
- Once the earthworms have gathered near the area, we may finally collect them.
Building a vermicomposting unit
Building a compost pit or a compost bed is one way to practice vermiculture, a technique for creating vermicompost.
Compost pit
It is typically done in a pit made of cement but can be built in a backyard or field. The ideal pit size is 5X5X3, yet this size may change depending on how much biomass and agricultural waste is present. Typically, dried leaves, twigs and tufted grasses cover the ditch.
Compost pits typically aren’t the best option because of their aeration and drainage issues. The water column should be in the middle of the compost pit’s parapet wall to deter ants from entering and attacking the worms.
Compost or a vermibed
In preference to compost pit vermiculture, it is advised. The actions below must be taken in order to build vermibed:
Step 1: Adding loamy soil at the bottom of the first layer, which should be around 15-20 cm thick, will prepare it.
Step 2: Create a second layer by laying down a 5 cm thick layer of gritty sand, stones, and broken sticks.
Step 3: The third phase, which adds earthworms, is the most important one. The 2m X 1m X 0.75m compost bed, which is 15-20 cm thick, receives about 150 worms.
Step 4: Add some animal wastes, such as cow manure and goat faeces, to prepare the fourth layer. Over this, spread a layer of agricultural wastes, such as dried leaves, wheat straws, etc., 5 cm thick.
Step 5: After installing the vermibed, there must be constant watering for the following 30 days. The feed must not be dry or soggy during this step, it is important to remember.
Step 6: To prevent heat buildup, cover the vermibed afterwards with either coconut leaves or used gunny bags in place of plastic. This action stops avian attacks.
Step 7: Lastly, distribute the pre-digested organic waste to a thickness of 5 cm. Repeat this step every two weeks.
After completing all of these measures, turn the organic waste over with a pickaxe or spade and water it frequently. Vermicompost is humus-rich, granular, and dark black in colour and typically takes two to three months to produce.
Source: Pinterest
Vermicompost and its harvesting
After earthworm excretions or castings are visible on the soil’s surface, the vermicompost is ready for harvesting. The worms and solid waste must be manually separated during this stage. Stop watering for two to three days, so the earthworms move to the bottom of the bed, which will help you separate the earthworms from the solid waste.
After the compost has received fair treatment, the earthworms will go toward the cooler base. Finally, use meshes or sieves to eliminate the worms and solid trash.
Vermicomposting: Benefits and applications
Physiology of soils
- Vermicompost creates a humus-rich environment that enhances soil quality, structure, and texture.
- It also improves the aeration and water-holding capacity of the soil, which nourishes and conditions it.
- Vermicompost protects the soil against soil erosion and drought.
- It does not affect soil microbiology, in contrast to chemical fertilisers.
- Vermicompost encourages optimal plant growth by offering vital nutrients.
- Additionally, it aids in plant output and seed germination.
Improvement of food and crops
- The prevalence of agricultural illnesses caused by many agents, such as pests, bacteria, mould, etc., is reduced by vermicomposting.
- By creating chemical-free bio-organic food, it encourages healthy living.
Environmental relevance
- Vermicompost prevents biowaste from being dumped in landfills and instead turns it into plant-usable materials, hence reducing land contamination.
- It reduces landfill-produced greenhouse gas emissions like methane and nitric oxide.
- Additionally, it lessens the need for chemical fertilisers.
Economic relevance
- Vermicompost serves as a conduit, giving people in rural areas employment and a second source of income.
- Low capital expenditure and straightforward technologies are needed.
Types of vermicomposting
The tree types of vermicomposting are worm bins, worm beds and worm windrows.
Worm bins: These come in various sizes and are placed above the ground. These are portable if they are small and are easy to manage.
Worm beds: These are large troughs that are dug and placed inside the soil. These put the worms in the natural habitat. However, since they are in the soil, digging is required to remove the compost.
Worm windrows: These are long mounds that are put on the surface of the soil. They can be easily maintained. However, since they are huge, they cannot be placed everywhere.
Vermicomposting: Climate and temperature
Vermicomposting methods may differ based on the climatic conditions. It is essential to keep a check on the temperatures of large-scale bin systems, which may have high heat-retentive abilities, as the raw materials or feedstocks utilised can compost, heating up the worm bins as they decompose and killing the worms. The most common worms utilised in composting systems, redworms typically feed quickly at temperatures of 15 to 25 °C. They survive at a temperature of 10 °C while temperature exceeding 30 °C may be harmful.
What is vermi-wash?
Vermiwash, a by-product of vermicompost is used as a fertiliser by adding to the soil and also as liquid spray on the body of the plant. This keeps the infections such as bacterial, fungal etc. away from plants and also prevents pest infestation.
What are the problems with Vermicomposting?
Few restrictions apply to vermicomposting:
- Vermicomposting demands more labour and technical expertise to operate and maintain.
- Additionally, additional room is required for vermicompost creation, harvesting, and storage when using this method.
- The process may be impacted by environmental conditions such as temperature, intense sunshine, and drought.
- Moreover, the process leads to the release of foul odour.
- Vermicomposting is a high maintenance process. The feed must be added regularly and care must be taken to ensure the worms are not flooded with excess amount to eat.
- The bin must not be too dry or too wet. Keep a check on the moisture levels. They promote the growth of pests and pathogens like fruit flies, flies, and centipede.
Housing.com POV
Vermicompost may harm plants sometimes owing to their high pH value. The high nitrogen content in them may result in reduced flowering and fruits in plants. So, while you follow the above mentioned methods and opt for this method, also analyse how it will help your plant and take steps diligently so that plant life gets affected instead of improving.
FAQs
What are the application methods of vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting consists of Bed Method and Pit Method.
What is the application rate of vermicompost?
Apply Vermicompost in the ratio of 3 ton per acre. It is also recommended to mix vermicompost with dried cow dung to get good results in agriculture.
What distinguishes vermicompost from compost?
Vermicompost is the product created when organic material is degraded, whereas compost mostly refers to the byproducts created when organic material is biodegraded.
Does vermicomposting require a lot of upkeep?
Yes, vermicomposting requires a lot of upkeep. The feed must be added on a regular basis, and care must be given to avoid flooding the worms with food. The trash can shouldn't be either dry or very damp. Periodically checking on the moisture levels is necessary.
What number of worms are added to vermicompost?
Around 4,000 to 5,000 new worms are added after the 24th day, and the entire raw material is then transformed into vermicompost.
What are 5 benefits of vermicompost?
It provides soil with growth hormones such as auxins, improves the roots of the plant, improves soil quality, water-resistance of soil and helps in plant growth.
Is vermicompost a manure?
Vermicompost is a compost manure that consists of beneficial worms known as earth worms.