Vermicompost relies on the introduction of earthworms from an outside source. Earthworms are an indicator of nutrient-rich soils; when such soil is created worms will appear independently of human involvement. Worms introduced through vermicomposite are biomasseaters; they will not serve the greater and necessary role of deep-burrowing worms.
Vermicompost relies on the introduction of earthworms from an outside source. Earthworms are an indicator of nutrient-rich soils; when such soil is created worms will appear independently of human involvement. Worms introduced through vermicomposite are biomasseaters; they will not serve the greater and necessary role of deep-burrowing worms.
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Vermicompost relies on the introduction of earthworms from an outside source. Earthworms are an indicator of nutrient-rich soils; when such soil is created worms will appear independently of human involvement. Worms introduced through vermicomposite are biomasseaters; they will not serve the greater and necessary role of deep-burrowing worms.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
First and foremost vermicompost relies on the introduction of earthworms from
an outside source. This not only requires reliance on an external input or market but also may introduce a foreign element into the delicate local ecosystem. Earthworms are an inhabitant and indicator of nutrient-rich soils; when such soil is created worms will appear independently of human involvement. Local earthworms are fundamentally soil-eaters; they can descend up to eight feet and play an essential role in bringing biomass into the soil and minerals to the surface; their burrows provide aeration and balanced water content as well as providing pathways and enzymes for white feeder roots. However, worms introduced through vermicompost are biomass- eaters; they will not serve the greater and necessary role of deep-burrowing worms. Instead they will essentially play the same role as the microbes in decomposing and rendering minerals available to plants but will consume more energy to produce the same result. Vermicompost is produced away from the plants in a covered area: temperature and external factors are controlled. However, when this compost is transferred to the field microbes present will not necessarily adapt to the transition. During decomposition enzymes are released from both earthworms and microbes essential to the development of feeder roots. If composting is done away from the field the benefits of these enzymes will be lost to plants. Human labor is also wasted moving ingredients and compost to and from the pits. Worms will greatly increase the presence of N, P, and K in the soil; however, many more elements are necessary for plant growth. In addition, vermicompost is generally practiced with fallen leaves; these leaves contain only 30% of the necessary elements having transferred the bulk back to the mother plant upon drying. Therefore a traditional vermicompost heap utilizing only worms and dry biomass will be deficient in elements necessary for growing plants. Once soil and biomass is converted into humus by microbes in the field, the presence of earthworms will be welcome and cherished for their great contribution to the enrichment of the soil.