Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting
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.
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.
There are different species of earthworms viz. Eisenia foetida (Red earthworm),
Eudrilus eugeniae (night crawler), Perionyx excavatus etc. Red earthworm is
preferred 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.
Types of vermicomposting
The types of vermicomposting depend upon the amount of producton and composting
structures. Small-scale vermicomposting is done to meet the personal requirement and
farmer can harvest 5-10 tonnes of vermicompost annually. While, large-scale
vermicomposting is done at commercial scale by recycling large quantity of organic
waste with the production of more than 50 – 100 tonnes annually
Methods of vermicomposting
Vermicromposting is done by various
methods, among them bed and pit
methods are more common.
Process of vermicomposting
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 (fig.7). After two days compost can be separated and sieved for use (fig.8).
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
• 18-25oC temperature should be maintained for proper decomposition.
Advantages
There are many advantages of vermicompost :
• It provides efficient conversion of organic wastes/crop/animal residues.
• It is a stable and enriched soil conditioner.
• It helps in reducing population of pathogenic microbes.
• It helps in reducing the toxicity of heavy metals.
• It is economically viable and environmentally safe nutrient supplement for
organic food production.
• It is an easily adoptable low cost technology.
Doses
The doses of vermicompost application depend upon the type of crop grown in the
field/nursery. For fruit crops, it is applied in the tree basin. It is added in the pot
mixture for potted ornamental plants and for raising seedlings. Vermicompost should
be used as a component of integrated nutrient supply system.
Crops Dose/rate
Field crops 5-6t/ha
Fruit crops 3-5kg/plant
Pots 100-200g/pot
Benefit
Vermicomposting is a highly profitable venture for farmers having dairy units. The
approximate cost and benefit under different scale of production is given below.
Scale App.cost per App.benefit per Cost/benefit ratio
annum (Rs) annum (Rs)
Small 52,000 90,000 1 : 1.73
Medium 1.0 lakh 1.85 lakh 1 : 1.85
Large 2.25 lakh 4.5 lakh 1 : 2.0
Published by
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region,
Umiam – 793 103, Meghalaya