Vermi Lecture

VERMICOMPOSTING
What is vermicompost?
Vermicompost improves soil texture and enhances

water-holding capacity of the soil. It may be low in
NPK but contains essential nutrient (e.g. calcium,
magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc) not
found in inorganic fertilizers. Moreover, it has
Pamela T. Henares September 13-14, 2011
microbial activities that promote plant health and

pest/disease resistance.
2
What is vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is the process of

producing organic fertilizer (vermicompost)
from biodegradable materials through the
action of earthworms. It is an
environment-friendly method of recycling
organic materials in the farm and

household such as plant residues and
animal manures.
3
What is vermicast?
Vermicast is worm excreta. It is
granular, in aggregates, which are
mineral granules bonded in such
a way that they are resistant to
erosion and soil compaction.
- It is very good for plants, thus
gardeners use it as a natural

fertilizer. Studies have even shown it
adds to the disease resistance of
plants.
Pamela T. Henares
7/9/2011 4
STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING
SELECTION OF SITE
SELECTION OF HOUSING TYPE
PREPARATION OF FEEDSTOCKS MATERIALS
DECOMPOSITION PROCESS
MAINTENANCE
HARVESTING
VERMICOMPOST WORM BIOMASS
DRYING & STORAGE RECYCLE
Source: Department of Science &Technology Phil. Council for Aquatic & Marine Research & Devt.
Substrate
NITROGEN SOURCE
CARBON DO NOT
SOURCE Animal ADD
Plant Source
Manure
Kakawate
Meat Fat
Grass leaves bones Grease
Rice straw Ipil-ipil leaves oils
Corn stover Mongo All animal Dairy products
Wood Kudzu manures Pet Waste
Saw dust Wild Sunflower except dog, litter
Cocodust Katuray leaves cat and Plastic wrap
Cococoir Azolla human tin foil
Paper Peanut Chemicals
glass
Cane Trash Hagonoy metal
Banana
Site Selection
Protected from direct

sunlight
Protected from floods
Cool
Water Source
Raw Materials
Airy
Preparationofsubstrate.
Collect banana leaves and stalks trashes and
animal manures i.e. chicken dung,
carabao/cow manure
Chop leaves and stalks finely. Chopping help

speed up decomposition by increasing the
surface area available for microbial action and
providing better aeration.
Mix chopped materials with chicken dung or

carabao/cow manure at a ratio of 7:3 or 70%
trashes and 30% animal manure as source of
nitrogen.
Substrate
Gather the raw
materials
Process &
Substrate Precomposting
shred (if necessary)
mix
70% moisture
Pre-composting activities
Pile the substrate in a bed measuring 1 x 5
meters or larger with wooden or concrete
sidings. Compost pile is 2 ft. high. Water is
added to increase moisture to at least 50 -70%.
Place the compost bed in a shady area with
access to water supply. A canopy is
recommended to protect the beds from direct
sunlight and heavy rains. The substrate usually
heats up in 24-48 hours which marks the
working of the composting process. In four
weeks time, the temperature drops and it is now
ready for the stocking of earthworms.
Worm Housing
Worm Housing
Worm Housing
14
Worm Housing
wooden concrete sidings
Stocking of earthworms
• The “African Nightcrawlers”
(Eudrilus eugeniae), redworms
or red wigglers (Lumbricus
rubellus) and brandling worms
(Eisenia Fetida) are the
earthworm species for the
production of vermicompost and
vermimeal. The earthworms
placed on the top of the pile
easily go down into the
substrate.
Care and Maintenance of Beds
• Water the bed regularly to maintain the
moisture content of the pile (at least 60%)
• Clean the surrounding area regularly and
check the presence of natural enemies of
earthworms like chicken, birds, lizards, toads,
ants, beetles, centipedes, etc. Nets maybe
used to enclose the area.
Maintenance
maintain at 70 %
moisture
5 -7 drops
protect from
sunlight and
predators
gently loosen
substrate
periodically
Harvesting
• Harvest the castings at 30-40
days after stocking of
earthworms. At this time
castings have been produced
from decomposed substrate and
worms at about 30% or less. Lay
new substrate beside the bed
ready for harvest so that worms
will just move to the new pile.
Gathering castings would be
easier.
Harvesting
Done 2 – 3 months
MANUAL
EXTRACTION
Harvesting
USING SEIVE
Feedstocking
First Feedstocking
Wait 2 weeks
Then add vermi worms
(1 KG/ SQ/M)
maintain at 70 % protect from

moisture sunlight and
5 -7 drops predators
First Harvest
Every week
Or 2 inches
VERMICAST
Water and Wait
Next Harvest
Every week
Or 2 inches
Water and Wait
Next Harvest
Every week
Or 2 inches
Refill
Move to one side
Refill
Move to one side
New bedding Old bedding

Worms move in
New bedding Old bedding

Storage
SHADE
AIR DRY IN THE
SACKS
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VERMICOMPOST
 It is cool to the touch;

 Does not burn;
 Will not leach;
 It does not pass on pathogens;
 Contains naturally occurring

growth hormones : auxin, giberellic
acid, humic acid, Cytonkenins;
 Living soil;
 Will stay 5 years in the soil;
 Activate soil microorganisms.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VERMICOMPOST
 Granular with high porosity,
aeration, drainage, water holding
capacity;
 Humus-like;
 Contains mineral elements in
forms readily taken up by plants;
 Outstanding biological properties;

rich in bacteria, actinomycetes,
fungi and cellulose-degrading
bacteria;
 Adequate amounts of
macronutrients and trace
elements.
 Ability to suppress diesease

Source: THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF VERMICULTURE
Norman Q. Arancon, Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University,
Benefits from Vermicomposting
Safer Composting
Job Generation
Healthier & More Nutritious Food
Food Safety & Security
CLEAN WATER
Fertile Soil
Better Farm Yield

Benefits from Vermicomposting
Poverty Alleviation
Solid Waste Management
Self-Sufficiency
Preserve our unique heritage and
biodiversity
Decrease Importations
Ecotourism
Challenge:
Why not give
your best shot?
You have nothing

to lose but your

garbage…
Dios ti Agngina ti Inkayo
Panagdengngeg
“Intun mapukanen ‘diay maudi a kayo ken marugitan

daydiay kaudian a nadalus a karayan ket awanton ti
mabalin nga agbiag a lames, isunto pay laeng ti
pannakaamiris dagiti tao a saan gayam a mabalin a
kanen ti kuarta”
“No ti nakaparsuan ket inka ramesen

lunod ken rigat ti inka lak-amen
Ngem no inka taripatuen ragsak
ken nam-ay ti inka sagrapen”

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VERMICOMPOSTING

Vermicompost improves soil texture and enhances

microbial activities that promote plant health and

Vermicomposting is the process of

organic materials in the farm and

gardeners use it as a natural

SELECTION OF HOUSING TYPE

PREPARATION OF FEEDSTOCKS MATERIALS

VERMICOMPOST WORM BIOMASS

DRYING & STORAGE RECYCLE

Protected from direct

Chop leaves and stalks finely. Chopping help

Mix chopped materials with chicken dung or

maintain at 70 % protect from

New bedding Old bedding

New bedding Old bedding

 It is cool to the touch;

 Contains naturally occurring

 Outstanding biological properties;

 Ability to suppress diesease

Better Farm Yield

You have nothing

to lose but your

“Intun mapukanen ‘diay maudi a kayo ken marugitan

“No ti nakaparsuan ket inka ramesen

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