Vermi-composting - A technique for waste

management
Manoj Sharma, Rajan Bhatt and Gagandeep Kaur
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapurthala, 144620. Punjab,
India
drmanojsh1@gmail.com

The Plough is one of the most ancient and most

valuable man’s inventions, but long before he existed the land
was infact regularly ploughed by earthworm (Charles
Darwin).

Introduction

India has a long tradition of agriculture with a rich

heritage of eco-friendly agricultural technologies. The tropical
climate prevailing in India is very congenial for farming.
Taking an advantage of favourable environmental conditions,
the Indian farmers developed such technologies, which were
used to reap a big harvest throughout the ages, without
disturbing the ecological balance. After 1950, India adopted
modern agricultural technologies, which included use of
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, hybrid seeds, etc.
Unfortunately, extravagant use of these technologies and
inference in natural processes, so called modern agricultural
technologies seem to be failed in maintaining the harmony
with nature. As a result even sustainability of agriculture as a
whole is at stake.

Intervention of Vermiculture Technology :

The farmers now have been realized the disadvantages

and are trying to turn back and are inclining toward organic
farming. In fact, they need some efficient, dynamic package of
organic farming technologies. Before switching over from
chemical agriculture to organic agriculture they want some
technology which will perform as a missing link between the
two extremes. Considering the tropical climate of India,
vermiculture technology seems to be one of the most
appropriate technologies for Indian farmer. It has been found
that this technology is not only an appropriate one but also
can play a role of missing link between chemical and organic
agriculture to Indian farmer.
Moreover, the energy required (petro-chemicals) in
chemical fertilizers and pesticides is non-renewable and
costly. Small farmers cannot afford these chemical fertilizers
because the soil needs more and more of these chemicals. On
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the face of this, vermi-compost technology will save a lot of

foreign exchange and also the fossil energy. In addition, we
will have much better sustainable agriculture. The money-
making potential of vermiculture is so attractive that it is
rapidly becoming a growth industry. There are three key
components of commercial vermiculture which explain its
present appeal and future potential:
First, red worms are capable of transforming huge
amounts of waste which is of growing concern in our society.
For those, who are raising worms for profit, this implies the
feedstock is generally plentiful and free.
Second, the worm population can double in 2 to 4
months. Thus, after acquiring an initial inventory as breeding
stock, sales of worms can be realized in a relatively short
time, particularly when comparing their prolific breeding rates
to other forms of livestock.
Third, the production of castings ("worm manure") is a
highly-prized soil amendment, sought by landscapers,
gardeners, and horticulturists.

Table 1.Nutrient Composition of Vermi-compost and

Farm Yard Manure

Nutrient Element Vermi-compost Farm yard manure

(%) (%)
Nitrogen 0.51-1.61 0.5-0.8
Phosphorus 0.19-1.02 0.2-0.25
Potassium 0.15-0.73 0.5-0.6
Calcium 1.18-7.61 0.9-1.0
Magnesium 0.093-0.568 0.2-0.3

Zinc 0.0042-0.110 0.014

Copper 0.0026-0.0048 0.0028
Iron 0.2050-1.3313 0.069-0.080
Maganese 0.0105-0.2038 0.146-0.160

Vermi-composting
Vermi-composting is a process of recycling organic
matter into nutrient-rich compost using worms. As worms
ingest and digest decomposing plant material and soil, their
digestive tracts process the organic matter and important
nutrients are returned to the soil through castings or worm
waste. Worms consume approximately 3 times their weight
per week. A worm casting is also known as worm cast or vermi
cast which is a biologically active mould containing humus,
thousands of bacteria, enzymes, and remnants of plant
materials and animal manures that were not digested by the
earthworms.
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Process of compost formation

Vermi-compost is produced using two composting
processes. The first, thermophylic composting in which
temperature increases to over 131 degrees F. to ensure a
product free from weed seeds and harmful organisms. The
second, vermi-composting, adds valuable attributes such as
water retention, texture, nutrient availability, a rich earthy
fragrance and an ability to fight soil-borne plant diseases such
as root rot. Redworm castings contain a high percentage of
humus. Humus helps soil particles to form into clusters which
create channels for the passage of air and improve its
capacity to hold water. Humic acid present in humus, provides
binding sites for the planet nutrients but also releases them to
the plants upon demand. Humus is believed to aid in the
prevention of harmful plant pathogens, fungi, nematodes and
bacteria.

Scope of Vermi compost as manure

In waste management, we are all aware that we have
to do more than just waste prevention and recycling
processes. In organic waste management, it is more complex
and is also difficult to create a sustainable market for selling
of compost under Indian conditions. Compost formation is
generally considered as a thermophilic process using heat to
kill undesirable bacteria, pathogens and seeds, but
unfortunately this process can also kill the beneficial bacteria
and micro organisms. Compost is primarily marketed as a soil
conditioner and secondarily as a nutrient source. Man made
compost is created with nature's help in which various organic
waste materials are given the opportunity to interact with
micro organisms like fungi, bacteria and worms in a
mesophillic process. This all happens within an area where
moisture, temperature, aeration and pH are kept under
controlled. On the other hand, the vermi culture technique, if
managed properly is also capable of reducing and eradicating
pathogen and seeds, without killing the beneficial bacteria
and micro organisms. Productive ecosystems require available
nutrients. For nutrients to become readily available to plants,
they must be mineralized by interaction of decomposers i. e.
bacteria, fungi and predators (protozoa, nematodes, micro
-arthropods and earthworms). Understanding the structure
and function of the soil medium and how it can control plant
vegetation is therefore of great importance. Vermi-compost is
rich in nutrients and these nutrients are available in a well
balanced form and in the right proportions for use by the roots
of plants. It also makes plants disease-resistant and increases
crop quality and taste. Hence, vermiculture process is a low
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cost, high quality, value adding product outcome option for

the farmers as well as industrialists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about vermi-

composting
1. What species of worm can be used for vermi-
compost?
No, a special variety of red worm called Eisenia
foetida is used for making vermi- compost. It is important to
mention that these are not garden variety worms which are
called earth worms.. Red worms eat de-composing food,
organic waste material and manure.
2. What kind of care do worms need?
Red worms want a warm, dark, moist place to live. They
thrive well when one feeds them on a variety of chopped up
left over of vegetables, leaves, grasses, manures, all types
organic wastes available at the home or at the farm. It would
be beneficial to cover the site of vermi-composting unit from
the top with a old gunny bag in order to prevent the picking
up of worms by the predators. Covering will also help in
keeping the top layer moist by preventing drying up of top
layer.
3. What conditions are not good for worms?
Worms do not like light. Too much ultraviolet light will
kill them. Never start vermi-composting unit under direct sun
light. Worms do not like heat which means that they can not
be put into a hot compost pile. It will make them sick or will
die. Worms do not relish water because they breathe through
their skin. Therefore, try to keep them moist but not wet.
Excessive rain water if entered in the unit , it may destroy the
whole process. Therefore, shelter is must to prevent damage
of worms from rain water and direct Sunlight. Hence , farmers
must take good care of the worms so that they can multiply
and make lots of odorless, non-toxic vermi compost manure.
4. Is vermi-compost good for all types of plants ?
Yes, Vermi-compost releases nutrients slowly which are
readily available to plants. Castings contain the plant nutrients
which are secreted by the earthworms. These castings have
excellent structure, porosity, aeration and water retention
capabilities. The product can insulate plant roots from
extreme temperatures, reduce erosion and control weeds. It is
odorless and consists of 100% recycled materials. The activity
of the earthworm gut is like a miniature composting tube that
mixes, conditions, and inoculates the residues. Moisture, pH,
and microbial populations in the gut are favorably maintained
for a synergistic relationship, and then a very good end
product. They make plants to grow fast and strong. The
effects of using vermi-compost are immediately noticeable.
Nematodes and diseases will not ruin gardens or plants if the
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soil is rich enough for them to grow fast. It is worth to mention

that it is the weak plant in poor soil that is destroyed by
nematodes and diseases.
5. What types of nutrients do vermi-compost contain?
Castings contain 5 times the available nitrogen, 7 times
the available potash and 1 1/2 times more calcium than found
in 15cm of good top soil. Castings are supplied with available
nutrients which are water soluble and immediately available
to plant life. Worm castings hold 2-3 times water than their
weight ,which indicates that less water is required and the
flower pot or field, where application have been made, will
remain moist for a longer period. Apart from these the vermi-
compost contains thousands of beneficial bacteria and
surprisingly the bacterial population of a cast is much greater
than the bacterial population of the waste they ingest or what
is present in earthworms gut.
6. What are the major problems in vermi-compost
formation
The probable problems which one can face in end
product (compost) along with the causes and probable
solutions are given as under:
Table 2.

Symptoms Problems Solutions

Rotten egg This is due to Turn pile frequently and add
odour the excess dry material such as leaves or
moisture straw. Make sure bin has
(anaerobic drainage provision, remove
conditions) top cover in order to allow
more air to flow away
ammonium odour.
Too much This is due to Add dried high-carbon
green colour presence of containing material such as
high-nitrogen leaves, wood chips, shredded
containing newspaper, or straw.
materials.
Slow -Lack of -Add water as needed
decompositio moisture and -Add material high in
n process nitrogen, due nitrogen.
to too much -Increase pile size.
high-carbon -Insulate pile with straw or
material in other materials
the pile. -Give frequent turning to the
-Low pile pile.
temperature
-Pile too small
-Cold weather
-Poor aeration
High pile -Pile too large Reduce pile size
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temperature -Insufficient Turn pile

(over 140°For ventilation
60°C)
Unwanted Wrong Don't add animal or dairy
pests materials in products, fatty food.
the pile Keep pile moist,
Turn pile to increase
temperature

7. How much compost is to be used for different crops?

The recommended dose of vermi-compost for different

crops is given as under:

Cereals: 5t /ha

Pulses: 2-3 kg per plant up to the age of 2 yrs

Vegetables crops: 5 kg per plant above 2 yrs of age.

Potted plants : 3 parts soil and one part of vermi-

compost

Thus at last, we can say that vermi-composting is a new

technique which helps the farmers a lot in decomposing their
waste material, improving the soil fertility and thus improving
their crop yield.

8. From where to get training to start vermi-

composting unit at farmers field ?

Farmers can acquire training from the following agencies:

1. Krishi vigyan kendras established at district level in the

country
2. State departments of Horticulture
3. State agricultural universities
4. ICAR institutes
5. NGOs
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Identification of worm Practical training on vermi-

composting

For further information please write to:

Deputy Director (Training), Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Kapurthala, Punjab-144620 (India)

drmanojsh1@gmail.com or kvkkapurthala@gmail.com