Vermicompsting Assignment Botany

Name – Parul Shukla
Course- B.A Honours History

Paper – SEC Biofertilizer
Roll No.- 617
Project – Vermicompsting
Submitted to: Gurumayum Suraj

VERMICOMPOSTING
Vermicompost is known to be the world's best fertilizer. Vermicomposting is a
method of preparing enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one of the
easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to produce quality compost.
Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casts.
Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in nutrients,
growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of
inhibiting pathogenic microbes. Vermicompost is stable, fine granular organic
manure, which enriches soil quality by improving its physicochemical and
biological properties. It is highly useful in raising seedlings and for crop
production. Vermicompost is becoming popular as a major component of organic
farming system. Using Vermicompost can fulfill the requirements for organically
grown products.
Vermicomposting materials
Decomposable organic wastes such as animal excreta, kitchen waste, farm residues
and forest litter are commonly used as composting materials. In general, animal
dung mostly cow dung and dried chopped crop residues are the key raw materials.
Mixture of leguminous and non-leguminous crop residues enriches the quality of
vermicompost. Red earthworm (Eisenia foetida) is preferred species of earthworms
because of its high multiplication rate and thereby converts the organic matter into
vermicompost within 45-50 days. Since it is a surface feeder it converts organic
materials into vermicompost from top.
 Eisenia foetida:
Eugenia fetida worms are used for vermicomposting. They are tube-shaped
animals made of up to 120 segments, they are native to Europe.
Eisenia foetida known under various common names such as redworm,
brandling worm, panfish Worm, trout worm, tiger worm, red wiggler worm,
etc., is a species of earthworm adapted to Decaying organic material. These
worms thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure. They are rarely
found in soil, instead preferring conditions that are inimical to some other
worms.
They have groups of bristles on each segment that move in and out to grip
nearby surfaces as the Worms stretch and contract their muscles to push
themselves forward or backward.When roughly handled, an Eisenia fetida
exudes a pungent liquid, thus the specific name foetida Meaning foul-
smelling.This is presumably an antipredator adaptation.
 Multiply Earthworms in Large Scale:
By mixing more number of biodegradable wastes, including plant materials,

dried leaves and cow dung in a proportion of 1:1.
 Once the medium is done, earthworms are released into the medium &
protected it from sun, rain & other prey.
 Regular maintenance is required, keep a check at the moisture level by
sprinkling water over it on a timely basis.
 Within a timeframe of 1 - 2 months, earthworms would multiply by 300
times relying on this process alone.
 Thus, the new earthworms would assist us in preparing the vermicompost.
Process of vermicompost preparation

Vermicromposting is done by either bed or pit method. In bed method composting
is done on the pucca / kachcha floor by making bed of organic mixture while in pit
method it is done in the cemented pits.
 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.
 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.
 Red earthworm (1500-2000) should be released on the upper layer of bed.
 Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms
 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.
Harvesting:
When raw material is completely decomposed it appears black and granular.
Watering should be stopped as compost gets ready. The compost shout be kept over
a heap of partially decomposed cow dung so that earthworms could migrate to cow
dung from compost. After two days compost can be separated and sieved for use.
Vermicomposting has many fold relevance in today’s rural and urban environment.
It is extremely useful for organic farming and it is also an important technology for
solid waste management. Vermicomposting differs from usual composting method
in several ways.
It is a mesophillic process, utilizing microorganisms & earthworms that are active
at the temp. range of 10 – 32°C. The process is faster than composting, & resulting
earthworm castings are rich in microbial activity & plant growth regulators.
Vermicomposting processes higher and soluble levels of major nutrients, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, as compared to substrates or
underlying soil, or normal compost. The organic wastes locked nutrients are
converted to simple absorbable forms such as Nitrates or Ammonium Nitrogen,
exchangeable Phosphorus and soluble K, Ca, Mg in worm’s gut. Vermicompost is
considered as supplement to fertilizers.
Benefits of Vermicomposting
 Vermicompost, also known as worm castings, is rich in essential nutrients

like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Enhances soil structure and
fertility, promoting healthier plant growth.
 Diverts kitchen scraps and organic waste from landfills, reducing methane
emissions.
 Converts waste into a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture and
gardening.
 Introduces beneficial microorganisms into the soil, contributing to improved
soil structure.
 Enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients, reducing the need
for additional fertilizers.
 Offers an accessible and educational way for communities to engage in
sustainable waste management practices.
 Demonstrates the cyclical nature of natural processes, fostering
environmental awareness.
 Increases water holding capacity.
 Prevents soil erosion.
 Improves soil structure & textures.
 Enhances germination, plant growth & Yield.
 Improves root growth & structure.
Vermicompost has been emerging as an important source in supplementing and

substituting chemical fertilizers in agriculture. Vermicompost, also known as
‘farmers' friend’ is used for general crops and plantation crops. It is a valuable
input for sustainable agriculture and wasteland development. It is a growth
promoter and helpful in providing hormones required for plant growth.
There is a lot of demand for vermicompost among farmers as its use increases
quality of agricultural products and it’s price is also cheaper. It is also used widely
in pot culture and in home gardens. In addition, many government departments
including agriculture, forest and horticulture buy it in bulk. It’s demand has
decreased over the years.
Government agencies and NGOs are popularizing organic agriculture using
vermicomposting by organizing awareness campaigns and film show in rural and
urban areas.

Vermicompsting Assignment Botany

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vermicompsting Assignment Botany

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vermicompsting Assignment Botany

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name – Parul Shukla

Course- B.A Honours History

Submitted to: Gurumayum Suraj

 Multiply Earthworms in Large Scale:

By mixing more number of biodegradable wastes, including plant materials,

Process of vermicompost preparation

 Vermicompost, also known as worm castings, is rich in essential nutrients

Vermicompost has been emerging as an important source in supplementing and

You might also like