VERMICOMPOST-THE BLACK GOLD OF PLANTS

WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING?

Vermicompost is actually the excreta of earthworms, which is rich in humus and other organic nutrients.

Earthworms can be artificially reared in a brick tank or near the stem / trunk of trees (specially horticultural trees).Feeding these earthworms with biomass and monitoring properly the food (bio-mass) of earthworms, we can produce the required quantities ofvermicompost.

MATERIALS REQUIRED AS ORGANIC MATTER

Any types of biodegradable wastes such as-

1. Crop residues 5. Hotel refuse2. Weed biomass 6. Waste from agro-industries3. Vegetable waste 7. Biodegradable portion of urban and rural wastes.4. Leaf litter

SPECIES OF EARTHWORM USED

Earthworms are mainly divided into two types:

(1) Burrowing; and(2) Non-burrowing. The non-burrowing types, Eisenia fetida & Eudrilus eugenae

live in the upper layer of soil surface.

These non-burrowing types are red or purple and 10 to 15cm long but their life span is only 28 months.

The non-burrowing earthworms eat 10% soil and 90% organic waste materials; these convert the organic waste into vermicompost faster than the burrowing earthworms.

Moreover, they can tolerate temperatures ranging from 0 to

40°C but the regeneration capacity is more at 25 to 30°C and 40–45% moisture level in the pile.

PROCESS INVOLVED

Commercial model :

The commercial model for vermicomposting developed by ICRISAT consists of four chambers, enclosed by a wall (1.5 m width, 4.5 m length and 0.9 m height).

The walls are made up of different materials such as normal bricks, hollow bricks, asbestos or locally available rocks.

This partition walls with small holes facilitate in easy movement of earthworms from one chamber to another.

Vermicompost Preparation:- Steps in the processVermicomposting involves the following steps which are depicted in the following slides:

• The bottom of the cement ring is first covered with a layer of tiles or coconut husk or polythene sheet.

• 15–20 cm layer of organic waste material is then spread on the polythene sheet.

• Rock phosphate powder if available, is sprinkled (it helps in improving nutritional quality of compost) on the waste material and then sprinkle cow dung slurry.• The ring is completely in layers as described.

• Paste the top of the ring with soil or cow dung and the material is allowed to decompose for 15 to 20 days.

• When the heat evolved during the decomposition of the materials has subsided (15–20 days after heaping), selected earthworms are released (500 to 700) through the cracks developed.

• The ring is covered with wire mesh or gunny bag to prevent birds from picking the earthworms.

• Water is sprinkled every three days to maintain adequate moisture and body temperature of the earthworms.

• The vermicompost is ready in about 2 months if agricultural waste is used as substrate.

• The processed vermicompost is black, light in weight and free from bad odour. • The compost is piled in small heaps and left under ambient conditions for a couple of hours when all the worms move down the heap in the bed.

• The upper portion of the manure is separated and the lower portion is seived to separate the earthworms from the manure.

The excess as well as big earthworms can be used for feeding fish orpoultry.• The compost in bags can be packed and stored in a cool place.

ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS

Advantages of vermicompost:

1. Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients.2. Provides excellent effect on overall plant growth, encourages the growth of new shoots / leaves and improves the quality and shelf life of the product.

3. Vermicompost is easy to apply, handle and store and doesnt have bad odour.4. It improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and waterholding capacity and prevents soil erosion.

5. Vermicompost is rich in beneficial micro flora such as a fixers, cellulose decomposing micro-flora etc in addition to improve soil environment.6. It increases the use efficiency of chemical fertilizers.

7. Vermicompost is free from pathogens, toxic elements, weed seeds etc.8. Vermicompost minimizes the incidence of pest and diseases.

9. It enhances the decomposition of organic matter in soil.10. It contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxins, gibberellins etc.

Vermi wash- a plant growth regulator-Vermi wash is a liquid plant growth regulator, which contains high amount of enzymes, vitamins and hormones like auxins, gibberellins etc along with macro and micronutrients used as foliar spray.

Nutrient content of vermicompost-

Applications:

FUTURE SCOPE

The versatility and low investment has led to rapid popularization of vermicomposting as an agricultural technique.

The fact that it aids in the efficiency of utilisation of chemical pesticides, we can surely use it in addition to chemical fertilizers and in the process slowly try to replace chemical fertilizers with organic ones.

Its easy to maintain structure makes it favourable to be constructed around apartments, at school or college campus, or even at parks (as we have shown in the model)

Thus there is surely a ray of light at the end of the tunnel where we can see our dream-come-true of a self-sustained INDIA with full agricultural security.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we can say that the utility of vermicomposting has crossed the boundaries of agricultural field and reached to the household and recreational premises.

Vermicomposting is not only a way to improve the nutritional quality of a plot but it also shows us how we can judiciously utilize the gifts of nature for our betterment.

THANK YOU