VERMICOMPOST
Vermicompost is a process in which the earth worm perform the activity of converting organic waste into rich in high nutritional content manure.
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Vermicomposting
It is the scientific procedure of making compost with the use of earthworms. Earthworms usually found in the soil where they feed biomass and convert it in the digested form. Earth worms use organic waste material to feed and removes as digested material in the form of excreta "vermicasts" contains nitrates and minerals like phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium in very high amount. These are the alternate of the fertilizers and increase the health and quality of the soil. Vermiculture is also known as "worm-farming".
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Methods of Vermicomposting
There are two methods of vermicomposting;
- Bed method: This is an easy process in which the beds are made consists on organic method.
- Pit method: In this pit method the pits are formed and organic matter is collected in these cemented pits. However this method is not well known due to some difficulties like as poor aeration and waterlogging.
Process Of Vermicomposting
In this procedure of vermicomposting the first thing is to make it clear about making compost from earth worms and other biodegradable wastes.
Principle of vermicomposting
First of all it is important to add nutrients to the soil. It is a natural fertilizer that helps in easy flow of water to the crops and plants. In this process earthworms usually eat organic matter and convert it into secretions through their digestive system and which is rich in nutrients.
The nutrients profile;
- 1.6% Nitrogen
- 0.7% Phosphorous
- 0.8% Potassium
- 0.5% Calcium
- 0.2% Magnesium
- 175ppm of Iron
- 96.5ppm of Manganese
- 24,5ppm of Zinc
Materials for Vermicomposting
- A large bin (cement or plastic tank)
- Thatch roof
- Dry straw and leaves collected from fields
- Cow waste (dung)
- Soil or sand
- Weed biomass
- Biodegradable wastes (from kitchen and fields)
- Gunny bags
- Earth worms
- water
Procedure
- First of all plastic or concrete/cemented tank should be used for making vermicompost. The size of tank depends upon the quantity of available raw material.
- 2-3 inches layer of soil/ sand is required in the bottom of the tank.
- Then dry the biomass under the sun for 10-12 days and after that chop it with the help of cutter to the required size.
- Then you should have to prepare cow waste slurry and sprinkle it on the chopped biomass for the decomposition.
- Now prepare the beds for addition of partially decomposed cow dung, dried leaves and other biodegradable materials collected from the kitchen and fields.
- Distribute them equally on the soil surface of 2-3 inches made in the tank.
- Add all the biodegradable waste, decomposed cow dung and dried leaves layer wise into the tank up to the maximum depth of 1 feet.
- After all this process add the earth worms over the mixture in the vermicomposting tank and cover the compost mixture with the dry straws and gunny bags.
- To maintain the moisture content of the compost it is necessary to sprinkle water on regular basis.
- Cover the tank with a thatch roof to prevent it from ants, lizards, snakes or mouse etc.
- The compost also needed protection from rainfall/rain water and direct sunlight.
- Temperature and moisture should be maintained and frequent check up is necessary from overheating.
Conclusion
After 3 to 4 weeks you will notice that 4000 to 5000 new worms are produced and the whole raw material converts into the vermicompost.
Benefits of Vermicompost
- Helps the plants to develop new roots to the rootzone.
- Improves the physical structure/health of the soil.
- Improves the fertility of the soil and water availability to the plants.
- Germination of the plants becomes easy and faster, increases plant growth and crop yield.
Disadvantages
- It is a time taking procedure which takes at least 5 to 6 months to convert the organic method in to the useable compost.
- Foul odour is more in all this process.
- High maintenance is necessary to the whole vermicomposting procedure.
- The tank should not be too dry or too wet as it is important to notice moisture level periodically.
- This procedure also nurture the growth of pest and pathogens like flies, centipedes and fruit flies.
Note;
"Vermicomposting converts the kitchen and all other green waste into the dark nutrient rich soil. Due to the availability of microorganisms and in result it maintains the soil health.
Eco-friendly process is the name of vermicomposting which recycles the organic wastes into nutrient rich valuable compost".
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