VERMICOMPOST PRODUCTION

Presented by: For. Delia B. Agunoy

More than 4,000 species of earthworm known to man -over 400 native and introduced species. -3 spp. are for composting

 The three basic requirements for aerobic composting are: the carbon nitrogen (C/N) ration of the compostible materials, water, and oxygen.

KIND OF EARTHWORMS FOR VERMICOMPOSTING

the red worm (Lumbricus rubellus) and Manure worms (Eisenia foetida) which are common in temperature countries like the United States and Canada and the Indian blue (Perinyx excavatus) and African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeneae) which are used in tropical countries in Asia and Africa.

The Vermicomposting Process

Site
Selection A suitable area for vermicomposting is one that is shaded (earthworm shy away from strong light) flood free (earthworm will crawl out of flooded areas) and accessible to water supply and source of compost materials.

Sourcing of

Materials -The materials for composting can

come from the farm, garden or kitchen

Preparation of the Beds. In preparing the beds (Composting units) dry or fresh materials can be used. Coarse and dry materials like manures should be pulverized while freshly cut grass should be shredded to hasten microbiological action with smaller particle size (1-2.5 cm) For large volumes of materials, mechanical shredder is recommended.

 The prepared materials are placed in composting units or outdoor beds measuring 1 x 2 meters, 2 x 10 meters or larger. A canopy (natural or artificial) for the units is recommended to protect the beds from direct sunlight and heavy rains. To facilitate drainage, the beds should have no bottom linings. Bed sidings made of hollow blocks or wood are necessary for containment. Such sidings can be 30 to 60 centimeters high

Stocking of Worms
A kilogram of worms is stocked per square meter of outdoor bed

Maintenance of Beds - With

proper bed preparation and worm stocking, the vermicomposting period should not be more than a month

Harvest and Processing of Vermicompost

Harvesting
A pyramid pile of composted Hand picking of earthwor Manual Manual Screeningof Vermicompost Screeningof Vermicompost Packaging and Storage of Vermicompost

Analyses, Marketing and Use of Vermicompost of the roduct

MaterialsC/N RatioMaterialsC/N RatioHumus10:1Dried leaves60:1Fresh manure14:1Rice hull60:1Food waste15:1Rice straw80:1Vegetable waste15:1Sugar cane trash150:1Grass clippings19:1Paper170:1Rotted manures20:1Sawdust500:1Legumes25:1Wo od700:1Fruit waste35:1Corn stalk60:1

 Sample of mixture for Earthworm production 25 kilos of rice straw 75 kilos of fresh manure For breeding 75% pig manure 25% rice straw other biodegradable

Target for marketing

Nurseries Farmers Landscape garden Orchard Reforestation Farm land

Waste NO MORE
WASTE NO TIME Thank you. . . . . . .