Research Review

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Indian Horticulture Journal; 6(1): 150-154, Jan-March (2016)
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J ©Indian Society of Advanced Horticulture
ISSN: 2249-6823
DI: 203-15-IHJ-0612-2015-40

Vermiculture Technology: A Novel Approach in Organic Farming

Ruchi Soni and Anuradha Sharma
Microbial Prospection Division,
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur - 176 061, Himachal Pradesh, India
e-mail: ruchihpau1987@gmail.com

Received: 06 December 2015; Revised accepted: 18 February 2016

ABSTRACT
Nowadays researchers are searching for a technology which should be cost effective, ecological sustainable with
no adverse effect on environment and beneficial to the society too. Vermiculture appears to be a novel sustainable
technology for waste treatment which has a great future in the field of organic waste management. This review
focuses on the vermiculture technology in which nontoxic organic residues of plant and animal wastes are used as
substrates to produce vermicastings. Organic wastes are converted into usable form of nutrients by bio-oxidation
and stabilization with the synergism of earthworms and microorganisms. Vermicompost has a great potential as
plant growth media and also served as soil conditioner. It is highly rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. In
addition, during the vermicomposting process, a honey brown colored leachate is produced called vermiwash. It
also contains macro and micronutrients along with microbes which have important plant growth promoting
attributes and antagonistic activities. Thus, the organic waste can be excellently recycled and converted into useful
vermiproducts that have been proved to be essential component in plants growth and productivity and also
maintaining the soil health. Despite the major advances have been made, but there is still a need and scope to
undertake investigations in this technology and identification of a group of microorganisms which have profound
effects on maintaining soil health and increasing crop production.

Key words: Organic farming, Vermiculture technology, Vermiproducts, Vermicompost, Vermiwash

C limatic changes caused either by the earth's natural

forces, which include solar radiation and
continental drift, human activities, widespread degeneration
agriculture is to seek out microbes based preparations such
as organic manures, biofertilizers etc (Brahmaprakash and
Sahu 2012, Geetanjly et al. 2015).
of the environment and increase in the world’s population, Vermicompost as organic manure is being popularized
presents a major challenge to agriculturalists. Chemical for producing high quality organic fertilizers because
fertilizers are used to provide nutrients to plant and importance of organically grown products is in demand at
maximizing yield of crops within a short period but their present due to health awareness. Vermiculture technology,
widespread use contributes largely to the deterioration of the one of the sustainable technologies deals with the
environment through depletion of fossil fuels, generation of decomposition of organic waste by certain species of
carbon dioxide (CO2), contamination of water resources and earthworms into nutrient rich liquid substance called
deterioration of soil fertility (Nagavallemma et al. 2004). vermicasts (Nagavallemma et al. 2004, Manyuchi et al.
Sixty one percent of world’s total fertilizer is consumed by 2012, Quaik et al. 2012). Earthworms feed on the organic
Asia which makes it the largest consumer of fertilizer in the waste and their gut act as the bioreactor where the
word (FAO 2010). Adoption of environmental friendly vermicasts are produced (Nath et al. 2009, Ansari and
approach to reverse the long lasting and declining effects in Sukhraj 2010, Manyuchi and Phiri 2013). Vermicasts are
the global productivity is one of the major concerns of also termed vermicompost and are rich in macronutrients
researchers. Among them, organic farming which works in viz nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and
harmony with nature and provides good quality of food micronutrients such as copper, iron, manganese and
without any harmful chemical is now becoming popular all magnesium etc depending on feedstock type used
over the world. One of the most feasible, pollution free, eco- (Palanichamy et al. 2011, Manyuchi and Phiri 2013). In
friendly, biodegradable, economical and renewable addition, during the vermicomposting process, a brown
alternative for use in organic farming system for sustainable colored leachate vermiwash is produced which reported to

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 Soni and Sharma Indian Horticulture Journal 6(1)
have a pH 7.7 and NP content of 0.14% and 0.05% Physical conditions for vermicomposting
(Ndegwa and Thompson 2001, Ansari and Sukhraj 2010, The organic waste is degraded to a biofertilizer in a
Manyuchi et al. 2012). Vermiproducts are rich in the macro vermireactor by continues action of earthworms over a
and micronutrients (Gopal et al. 2010, Quaik et al. 2012), particular time period ranging from 28-120 days (Borah et
therefore, they have a great potential to promote growth of al. 2007, Manyuchi et al. 2013). In addition, the process
various crops and directly or indirectly inhibit the growth conditions are properly examined so they will not disturb
and multiplication of plant pathogens (Kale 1998, Lalitha et the earthworm activities. The physical conditions monitored
al. 2000, Zularisam et al. 2010, Kaur et al. 2015). The cast include temperature, moisture content, pH and electrical
also contains auxin, gibberlic acid and cytokinins like conductivity as stated by various workers (Chanda et al.
substances that enhance its application to plants for their 2011, Ansari and Rajpersaud 2012). Various feedstock
growth. including animal, plant, pharmaceutical, food and sewage
The technology of vermiculture can effectively manage wastes can be effectively used in vermicomposting (Kumari
the waste. This process allows composting the degradable et al. 2011, Punde and Ganoker 2012). The optimum
materials and at the same time utilizing their products to temperature for effective vermicompost process ranged
enhance crop production and thus eliminates the use of from 18-67°C, pH 5.9-8.3, moisture content 10.6-80% and
chemical fertilizers. The emphasis on chemical fertilizers electrical conductivity ranged from 0.70-80 μscm-1 (Suthar
has led to the long term imbalance in soil pH and its 2009, Garg and Gupta 2011, Indrajeet et al. 2010, Lim et al.
fertility, which has caused irreparable damage to the 2012).
ecosystem. To cope with these incisive problems, the
vermiculture technology has become mainstream all over Products obtained from vermiculture technology
the world because it works in harmony with nature rather Vermicompost
than against it. It has come up with a new hope to sustain Vermicompost is an odourless, dark brown biofertilizer
agriculture in an ecofriendly manner which provides us which is rich in potential microbes and micro-
good quality of food without any harmful chemical macronutrients obtained from the process of vermiculture
constituents in it. technology (Chaudhuri et al. 2000, Aalok et al. 2008,
Abbasi et al. 2009). Various types of organic wastes have
Physical and chemical parameters required for been reported to produce vermicompost containing a range
vermiculture technology of macro and (Adhikary 2012, Kashem et al. 2015) (Table
Various physical and chemical parameters are 1). Vermicompost is an excellent soil additive and act as
responsible for efficient vermiculture technology because effective biofertilizer made up of digested compost.
they maintain growth and metabolic activity of earthworms
and the final quality of vermiproducts depends on it. The Table 1 Nutrient composition of vermicompost and
basic requirements and operating conditions for better vermiwash
vermiculture technology which is to be optimized are Nutrients Vermicompost Vermiwash
summarized below: pH 6.9 6.8
Organic carbon (%) 14.1 -
Types of earthworms suitable for vermiculture technology N (%) 1.5 0.005
Earthworms are burrowing animals and their gut and P (%) 0.98 0.0025
the intestine act as a bioreactor where worms secrete K (%) 1.1 0.063
enzymes like proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases and Ca (mg/kg) 2760 786
chitinases for biochemical conversion of the cellulosic and Mg (mg/kg) 4100 328
the proteinaceous materials in the organic wastes (Dash S (mg/kg) 600 -
1978, Hand 1988) and Various species of earthworms like Fe (mg/kg) 11200 0.151
Megascolex mauritii, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae, Mn (mg/kg) 1290 213
Perionnyx excavatus, Lampito mauritii, Eisenia andrei, Zn (mg/kg) 180 0.132
Lampito rubellus and Drawida willis are used by Cu (mg/kg) 38 0.117
degradation of waste products (Gomez-Brandon et al. 2012,
Manyuchi et al. 2013, Manyuchi and Phiri 2013). However, Vermiwash
Eisenia fetida has been reported as most appropriate Vermiwash is a brown colored leachate that is produced
earthworm for vermicomposting because it is easily during the vermicomposting process by the action of
adaptable for changing conditions and has lower chances of earthworms (Aalok et al. 2008, Gopal et al. 2010). It is a
compromising on the vermicompost process (Ndegwa et al. rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients important
2000, Aira et al. 2007, Ansari and Sukhraj 2010). The in maintaining soil health and increasing crop production.
physical properties of earthworms such as weight, length, Vermiwash also contains many plant microbes beneficial for
reproduction rate and population density play an important growth and development of plants (Pant et al. 2011,
role key role in vermicomposting (Palsania et al. 2008, Sundaravadivelan et al. 2011, Thamaraj et al. 2011). The
Shweta 2011). summery is given in (Table 2).

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 Vermiculture Technology: A Novel Approach in Organic Farming
Table 2 Summary of vermiwash as liquid fertilizer in agricultural use from different types of substrates
Substrate used Plant Findings Source
Cow dung and Rice Maximum leaf and root length, number of leaves and plant Thamaraj et al. (2011)
leaf litter height were recorded from pot applied with vermicompost
and vermiwash
Cow dung and Cowpea, Maize High concentration of P, K, Ca and Mg were found in Gopal et al. (2010)
coconut leaf litter and Okra vermiwash. Vermiwash from pure cow dung showed highest
in N, P, Ca, Mg and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) concentration.
Seedling vigour index were highest in 1:10 dilution for
cowpea
Animal waste Results showed potential as a bio-fertilizer for particular Nath et al. (2009)
and kitchen waste nutrient deficient soil by using combination of substrate
Cow manure Indian Borage High concentration of potassium (K) concentration was Quaik et al. (2012)
(Plectranthusam determined
bionicus) Diluted vermiwash (10%) shows highest in germination
percentage, root and shoot length, total chlorophyll and
carotenoids content.

Critical factors affecting vermiculture technology water capacity. Organic carbon in soil plays a important role
The following factors should be taken into in improving soil health. Application of vermiproducts
consideration during vermiculture technology: compensates the loss of soil carbon thus maximize
 It has been found that the African species of earthworms, production of crop over time. The SOM decomposes over
Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugenae are ideal for the time results in the accumulation of more stable carbon
preparation of effective vermiproducts. Most Indian compound called humus which improves mineral
species are not suitable for the purpose. breakdown and provide continues supply of nutrient to
 Most of the feedstocks are only plant-based materials plants. Stable and highly mature composts contain long-
such as grass, leaves or vegetable peelings which should lasting form of carbon called as ‘humates’ or ‘humic and
be used during the preparation of vermiproducts. fulvic acids’ which are very important for maintaining soil
Materials of animal origin such as eggshells, meat, bone, health and fertility (Compost Australia 2011).
chicken droppings, etc. are generally avoided in preparing
vermicompost as well as vermiwash. Increase beneficial soil microbes and essential nutrients of
 Birds, termites, ants and rats can harm earthworms while, soil
kitchen wastes such as onion, garlic, chilli and tobacco Vermiproducts are rich in microbial diversity which
leaves, etc. are not suitable for the growth and proper includes beneficial phosphate solubilizers, nitrogen fixers,
metabolic activities of earthworms. plant growth hormone producers and enzyme producers etc.
 Optimum amount of moisture should be maintained Earthworms further propagate the population of these useful
during vermiculture process because excess of water or microbes in soil. Soil organic matter (SOM) acts as a
lack of moisture could affect population of the healthy food source for these beneficial soil microbes and
earthworms. helps in improving their growth in soil. Microbes are
responsible for transforming, releasing and cycling of
Importance of vermiculture technology for soil health macro-micronutrients so as to make them available for
Vermiproducts (vermicomost and vermiwash) have plants. Suhane (2007) studied the chemical and biological
been used and applied as biofertilizers on different crops as properties of soil under organic farming (using
foliar spray or as soil treatment by different workers (Gopal vermicompost) and chemical farming (using chemical
et al. 2010, Quaik et al. 2012). These products help in fertilizers-urea (N), phosphates (P) and potash (K). With
improving soil aeration, enrich soil with benecifial micro- continued application of vermicompost the organic nitrogen
organisms such as phospahate solubilizers and nitrogen tends to be released at constant rate from the accumulated
fixers and improve water holding capacity. Studies made at ‘humus’ and the net overall efficiency of nitrogen over a
CSIRO (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research period of years is considerably greater than 50% of that of
Organization), Australia found that the protein content of chemical fertilizers
wheat grains (Triticum aestivum) increased by 12% by the
presence of earthworms in the soil (Baker and Barrett 1994). Maintain optimal pH level of soil
Vermiproducts specially vermicompost have a
Increase in soil organic matter (SOM) neutralizing value of 5% calcium carbonate equivalent in
Application of vermiproducts increases the soil organic the dry matter (3% in fresh compost) compared with 50%
matter (SOM) to, above 3-5% which acts as a ‘glue’ to bind for ground limestone. The neutralizing value of 30 tonnes of
‘soil particles’ into aggregates and improve the soil fresh compost is roughly equivalent to 2 tonnes of limestone
structure, infiltration, air porosity, nutrient and holding and soil would either maintain or slightly increase its pH

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over time with its repeated application. Compost applied in sustainable way of increasing crop production, replaces the
loamy soil at the rate of 16 tonnes/acre raised the soil pH costly and hazardous chemical fertilizers and poverty
from 6.8-7.1 (Compost Australia 2011). eradication programs in villages. It involves the
improvement of soil health and thereby promotes the
Restore disease suppressive soils survival and dispersal of the useful microbes such as
Earthworms gut act as a bioreactor and helps in bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes within such systems. The
proliferating the microbial community and diversity (Binet most effective uses of earthworms are organic waste
et al. 1998). Earthworms act as vehicle for carrying those management and supplement of readily available plant
kinds of microbes which also have antimicrobial activity nutrients and vermicompost demands the credit as it
against various fungal and bacterial pathogens in soils. maintains as well as improves soil health. The chemical
Increasing the population of mixed species of earthworms in fertilizers are produced from non renewable resources of
soil can increase the community of these biocontrol earth. Farmers need a sustainable alternative, which is
microbial agents in farm soil. renewable, pollution free and ecofriendly. So, it can be
concluded that vermiculture provides the best substitute for
CONCLUSION ecological agriculture which is nothing but is a sustainable
Vermiculture technology is a modern concept of agriculture. Moreover, this technology needs appropriate
harnessing an ecosystem for effective utilization of organic physical-chemical conditions and maintenance so that
waste with the help of earthworms. Vermicomposting by the farmers can take up more and more benefits of the organic
activity of earthworms on different substrates results into agriculture. This fact has led researchers to establish and
vermicompost and vermiwash as vermiproducts. This modify traditional techniques with new modern approaches
technology undergoes with multiple objectives like waste which will be beneficial for the maintenance of our
management of community, highly economical and ecosystem.

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