DEPARTMENT OF

ZOOLOGY
SUBJECT: VERMITECHNOLOGY

TOPIC: STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING

Mr. Amol. R. Handore

(M.Sc., B.Ed., SET)
Vermicomposting
• Process of converting organic wastes into
compost by earthworm is called
vermicomposting.
• Conversion of organic wastes into soil additives
by earthworms is called vermiconversion.
• Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological
process of composting
• Earthworms are used to enhance the conversion
of crop residues and animal excrements to
produce a valuable product
• Helps in turning organic wastes into worm
castings
• Vermicompost is Black Gold
Vermicomposting Steps:
1) Site selection for vermicomposting
2) Selection of containers
3) Selection of suitable species of
earthworms
4) Multiplication of worms
5) Selection of food for vermicomposting
6) Preparation of vermibed
7) Inoculation of earthworms
Vermicomposting Steps:
8) Feeding
9) Watering the vermibed
10) Methods of vermicomposting
11)Types of vermicomposting
12) Harvesting the vermicompost
13) Harvesting the earthworm
14) Storing and packaging of
vermicompost.
1. Site Selection for Vermicomposting

• Vermicomposting can be done in an elevated

Cool, shady area with high humidity
• Selected area should have slope to prevent
water stagnation
• Abandoned cattle shed or poultry shed or
unused buildings can also be used
• If produced in open area, shady place is
selected
• A thatched roof may be provided to protect
the process from direct sunlight and rain
• Transport facility should be there for daily
visit, marketing, etc.
2. Selection of Containers
• Containers used for vermicomposting are
called bioreactors.
The following containers can be used
• Plastic bucket
• Plastic basin
• Wooden box
• Concrete tank
• Well rings
• Card board box
2. Selection of Containers
• Bottom of the tub is made to a slope to drain
excess water from unit
• Small sump is necessary to collect the drain
• Drain the excess water from vermicompost unit.
• In another option hollow blocks or bricks may be
arranged in compartments to a height of 1 foot,
breadth of 3 foot and length to a desired level.
• In this method, moisture control will be easy and
excess water will be drained.
• Can also be done in wooden boxes, plastic
buckets or in any container with a drain hole at
the bottom.
3. Criteria for Selection of Suitable Species of
Earthworms

Easy to culture.
High affinity for the composting materials.
Voracious feeder.
Feeding on a wide range of organic wastes
High rate of vermicast output.
Prolific breeders.
Resistance to diseases
Adaptable to climatic changes.
• Surface dwelling, epigeic earthworms
should be used
• Earthworm which lives below the soil is not
suitable
Common Earthworm Species Used
• The African earthworm (Eudrilus
eugeniae)
• Red worm (Eisenia fetida) and
• Indian blue worm (Perionyx excavatus)
• In certain conditions these three worms
can be mixed together to enhance the
vermicompost production (polyculture)
Compost worms need six basic things

• A hospitable bedding.
• A food source.
• Adequate moisture (75 to 90%).
• Adequate aeration.
• Optimum temperature (25-
30°C).
• Neutral pH
4. Multiplication of Earthworms
• Production of large quantities of desired worms for
Vermicomposting is called multiplication of
earthworms. It is also called vermiculture.
• A breeder box has to be used for this A breeder box
may be either a wooden box or a paper carton with
polythene lining inside or a craton or an earthen pot.
• A box of size 60 cm x 60 cmX5cm can hold a
population of 5500-6000 adult worms.
• A mixture of 15 kg fresh cow dung and 15 kg hay
shreds (in the ratio 1:1) is taken.
• Keep the mixture wet by sprinkling water over it.
• Allow the mixture to ferment for 15 days.
• Then release 50 numbers of earthworms into the box.
• Within two months, the earthworms may multiply and
produce 600 to 1000 juveniles.
Need Multiplication of Earthworms
• To get plenty of earthworms for
vermicomposting.
• For inoculating earthworms into agricultural
and horticultural fields (ex-situ vermiculture)
• To get vermicasts.
• To get vermicompost.
• To get vermiwash.
• To use earthworms as feed in aquaculture,
• dairy farming, poultry, etc.
• To use earthworms as bait.
• To use earthworms as medicines.
5. Selection of Food for Vermicomposting
• The feed of earthworm should be biodegradable wastes.
• The following are the sources of feed for earthworms:
• 1. Organic kitchen wastes
• 2. Agriculture farm wastes
• 3. Dung
• 4. Market wastes
• 5. Garden wastes
Following raw materials are
used as the feed for
earthworms:
• Cow dung
• Sheep dung
• Pig dung
• Vegetable wastes
• Old compost
• Fruit peels
• Discarded food items
• Moldy bread
• Manures
• The feed must be a mixture of all these
sources.
Food for Vermicomposting
• The feed must be a mixture of all these sources.
• The feed items are selected and mixed into a
heap.
• It is watered and allowed to decompose for 15
days.
• The microorganisms ferment and digest the
materials.
• The fermentation produces heat. Heat increases.
• In 15 days the heat is decreased to 20 to 25°C.
• The predigested feedstock is used to feed the
worms.
 6. Preparation of Vermibed:
• The preparation of vermibed is
started with a basal layer at the
bottom of the container, It includes:
• A layers of broken bricks or pebbles at
the bottom.
• A layer of coarse sand.
• A layer of loamy soil.
• A layer of coconut husk is spread.
Vermibed:
6. Preparation of Vermibed:
• The basal layer filters out excess water and drains excess
water. It also provides shelter for the worms.
• Then a layer of saw dust or shredded card board, or
shredded paper or grass clippings or crop residues is laid.
• Above this a layer of hay or straw is spread.
• It is covered with broad leaves such as coconut leaves,
palmyrah leaves or gunny bags.
• Above each layer water is sprinkled.
• Watering is continued on alternate days.
• The above set up is the vermibed, It is allowed to
decompose for 15 days,
• The total height of the vermibed should be 4 inches.
• About 100 earthworms are introduced on the
predecomposed vermibed after removing the covering.
The worms penetrate into the bed.
8. Feeding
• The earthworms are fed-with pre
decomposed feedstock. The feed is
loaded on the top of the vermibed to a
thickness of 8 inches.
• The entire feed may be loaded at one
time or at installments of thrice in a
week.
• Watering is continued daily or on
alternate days.
• The entire system is again covered by
gunny bag or broad leaves.
• The earthworms breed and multiply in
the vermibed.
Do Feed Worms:
• Vegetable scraps
• Crop waste
• Tree, bush leaves and
• Fruit straps and peels
• Moldy bread and grains
• Used tea leaves
• Non-greasy food leftovers
• Coffee grounds
• Crushed shells
• Shredded paper products
• Shredded card board boxes
• Manures
Dont Feed Worms
• Don't overfeed citrus products
• Meat, fish
• Greasy foods
• Dairy products
• Twigs and branches
• Dog faeces
• Cat faeces
• Poultry manure
9. Watering the Vermibed
• Vermibed is sprinkled with water daily
or on alternate days.
• 75 to 90% moisture should be
maintained throughout the period.
• In the rainy seasons water should be
sprinkled over the bed rather than
pouring
• Watering should be stopped one
week prior to the harvest of
vermicompost.
10. Methods of Vermicomposting
• 1. Pit method
• 2. Heap method
• 3. Bin or tray method
• 4. Windrow method
• 5. Wedge system
• 6. Stacked bin method
• 7. Vermireactor system
• 8. Bed method
• 9. Continuous flow system
11. Types of Vermicomposting
• There are two types of vermiculture
namely,
• 1. Monoculture
• 2. Polyculture
1. Monoculture
• In monoculture method only one species of
earthworm is cultured.
• The vermicompost obtained from
monoculture method shows lesser
concentration of micronutrient and
macronutrient.
• The growth, biomass and fecundity of
earthworm are lesser.
2. Polyculture
• In polyculture method epigeic and anecic
species of earthworms are used jointly.
• The vermicompost obtained from polyculture
method shows higher concentration of
micronutrient and macronutrient.
• The growth, biomass and fecundity of
earthworms are higher.
• It increases the mineralization process and
microbial activity.
• The culture system and the waste deposited
are the same in both cultures.
Thank You……..!
 DEPARTMENT OF
ZOOLOGY
SUBJECT : VERMITECHNOLOGY

TOPIC: METHODS OF VERMICOMPOSTING

Mr. Amol. R. Handore

(M.Sc., B.Ed., SET)
Methods of Vermicomposting
• The vermicomposting is carried out in 2
ways namely,
• 1. Batch system
• 2. Continuous flow system
1. Batch system:
• Vermicomposting in a limited volume of organic
wastes is called batch system of vermicomposting.
• In batch system, the bed materials and feed
materials are added one time only.
• Worms are introduced; Watering is done periodically.
• After 2 months the vermicompost is harvested.
• This system includes the following types
• 1. Windrow method
• 2. Top - fed windrows
• 3. Wedge system
• 4. Bed method
• 5. Stacked bins
2. Continuous Flow System
• In continuous flow system, bed and
feed materials are added continuously
to the top at regular intervals
• Vermisompost is harvested from the
bottom continuously at regular interval
• Automated system.
• Also called flow through system
• The term flow-through refers to the fact
that the materials go in the top, flow
through the reactor and the worm guts
and come out of the bottom
• The worms remains in the middle and
are never disturbed.
Different methods of vermicomposting:

• 1. Pit method
• 2. Heap method
• 3. Bin or tray method
• 4. Windrow vermicomposting
• 5. Wedge system
• 6. Stacked bins method
• 7. Vermireactor system
• 8. Bed method
• 9. Continuous flow system.
Batch System Methods:
1. Pit method
2. Heap method
3. Bin or tray method
4. Windrow vermicomposting
5. Wedge system
 1. Pit Method:
• Rearing of earthworms in a pit containing organic wastes
to make compost is called pit method of vermicomposting.
• It is a batch method of vermicomposting.
• A cement pit of 3 X 3 x 2ft size is practically good
• Stones or pebbles of 3 inches are spread at the bottom of
the pot.
• Sand should be spread over the stone surface. It will
facilitate the absorption of excess water.
• Sprinkle water over the sand.
• Then cow dung is spread to a height of 2 inches. It is the
food for earthworms.
• Paddy straw or green leaf manure and kitchen waste are
spread over this to a height of 6 inches
• Cow dung or horse dung should be spread to a height of
3 inches.
 1. Pit Method:
• Water has to be sprinkled on alternate days
• Microbial decomposition of cow dung and organic materials
generate heat.
• After 2 weeks the heat of vermibed comes down to 25-30° C.
• The heat is identified by putting the hands down in the
compost mixture.
• If there is optimum heat then the vermibed is ready for
introducing the earthworm.
• By making holes randomly in the mixture of the pit, required
numbers of earthworms are let inside.
• Upper surface of the pit should be covered with gunny bag or
coconut leaves.
• A PVC pipe should be fixed to the bottom surface of the pit to
collect vermiwash.
• Vermicomposting will be ready in 45 to 60 days.
1. Pit Method:
 2. Heap Method:
• In heap method piles of organic wastes are dumped on
the ground and are made into compost by earthworms.
• It is a batch method.
• Organic material is piled on the ground.
• Rectangular wooden or brick structures also be used.
• The suitable size for a heap is 10 x 1 X 0.6 m.
• Organic wastes like sawdust, paper and straw can be
mixed with nitrogen rich materials such as sewage,
sludge, biogas slurry and fish scraps.
• The heap is sprinkled with water daily to keep a moister
level of 75 to 90%
• Organic material is dumped inside the container
serially.
• The heap should be piled in a dome shape.
2. Heap Method:
 2. Heap Method:
• Decomposition can be accelerated by shredding raw
materials into small pieces.
• The raw materials contain microorganisms.
• They ferment the organic wastes. As a result of
Fementation, heat evolves and the heat of the
organic wastes increases gradually.
• After 2 weeks heat decreases to 25-30 C.
• The piles should remain at this temperature for 7 to
10 days.
• The optimum moisture level for maintaining aerobic
conditions is 75 to 90%.
• Proper moisture and aeration can be maintained by
mixing fibrous materials with nitrogen rich materials.
• The temperature of the piles should be within 25-30°
C.
2. Heap Method:
• Increasing or decreasing temperatures
will reduce the activity of microfauna
and earthworms.
• The height of the bed can help to
control the rise in temperature.
• The pH of the raw material should not
exceed 6.5 to 7
• The nature of worm casts indicates
good multiplication of worms in the bed
• In 60 days, the material is completely
degraded and vermicompost is ready
for harvesting.
2. Heap Method:
• Seven days prior to harvesting, watering of the beds
has to be stopped, so that the earthworms in the top
layer move to the bottom layer.
• The finished bed materials gathered in pyramidal
heaps for about 24 hours.
• The semidried compost from the top of the bed can
be collected and sieved to remove any inert material.
• The compost can be dried in shade, bagged and
stored.
• About 3 tonnes of vermicompost can be harvested in
two months from 10 beds, of size 10 X 1X 0.6 m.
• The concentrated earthworms that remains at the
bottom can be used again for vermicomposting.
• The heap method is more effective than the pit
method.
3. Bin or Tray Method:
• Conversion of organic wastes into valuable
compost in a tray by using earthworms is
called bin or tray method of
vermicomposting.
• It is a batch system of vermicomposting.
• It is a simple method. It requires a bin,
biodegradable bedding, food waste and
worms.
•  The worms are kept in a bin/Tray with
biodegradable bedding.
• The earthworms feed the biodegradable
bedding, food waste and digest them.
• Then they void nutrient rich castings.
Bin or Tray Method:
3. Bin or Tray Method:
• The tray may be a wooden box, metal tub or
plastic basin, which allows good air circulation.
• The bin should be shallow and not more than
18 inches deep.
• The bin should have the greatest surface area
air circulation and for dumping for proper food
waste.
• Keep the bin upon bricks or wooden blocks and
place a plastic sheet underneath. This prevents
the entry of predators of earthworms.
• The bin is kept in a cool, shady place for the
protection of the worms from extreme
temperature.
• Worms are active at the temperature ranging
from 25-30° C.
3. Bin or Tray Method: Bedding
• Bedding is the preparation of a substratum for the
worms to live. It is called vermibed.
• The vermibed is prepared from the following materials.
• Shredded news paper
• Shredded card boards
• Shredded leaves
• Chopped straw
• Grass clippings
• Coir waste
• Peat moss
• Paddy husk
• Corn husk
• Coconut husk
• Paper waste
 3. Bin or Tray Method: Bedding
• Bedding gives the worms a place to work and rest.
• Add a handful of soil which helps roughage for the worms.
• Adding crushed egg shells provides roughage for the worms,
calcium lowers the acidity in the bin.
• The bedding materials are made wet by sprinkling water. They
are allowed to decompose for 2 weeks
• The microorganisms ferment the bed materials and heat rises.
In two weeks the heat decreases to for two weeks. 25 to 30°C
• Now inoculate the worms over the surface of the bedding;
They will burrow down into the bedding and begin to eat the
bedding.
• Sprinkle water every day in order to avoid drying.
• The worms will settle down and do their best.
• Stirring the bed will help to aerate the bed properly.
3. Bin or Tray Method: Feeding
Feeding the Worms:
• The feed includes cattle dung, kitchen
wastes, vegetable wastes, dung slurry,
etc.
• The worm bin is marked into four sections
for feeding
• Bury scraps under a few inches of
bedding in the first section and cover it
with newspaper.
• After 4 or 5 days bury the scraps in the
second section.
• In this way bury all the sections with
scraps one by one.
3. Bin or Tray Method: Harvesting
• Vermicompost is ready in 2 months
• Plastic sheet is spread on floor
• Entire content of bin is poured
• Piled into pyramid shaped mound
• Bright light hanged above mound
• Worms are drive to the bottom
• After 10-15 min collect the compost worms left at bottom
• Compost is packaged
• Worms reused for next batch
4. Windrow Vermicomposting
• The rearing of earthworms in the
organic materials which are heaped
in rows in open ground for the
production of vermicompost is called
windrow method.
• There are 2 methods of windrow
vermicomposting:
• 1. Static pile windrow (Batch Method)
• 2. Top - fed windrow (Continuous
Method)
4. Windrow Vermicomposting
 4. Windrow Vermicomposting
1. Static pile windrow (Batch Method)
• In static pile windrow, the bed materials and feedstock
are combined, mixed and earthworms
2. Top - fed windrow (Continuous Method)
• In top-fed windrow, the bed is prepared and the worms
are inoculated.
• Then the feed is added thrice in a week on the top of the
bed. It is a continuous flow system.
• The segregated biodegradable wastes, cow dung and
hay are allowed to pre - decompose in the open heap
method.
• The microbes present in the waste, ferment the wastes.
Heat is produced and it increases.
• After two weeks the heat decreases. When the heat
decreases to 25 to 30°C, the pre-decomposed organic
wastes are laid as vemibeds in long rows on the floor.
4. Windrow Vermicomposting
• Each row has a breadth of 3 meters, a height of 1 meter
and a length of 50 meters.
• The vermibeds are made side by side with a gap of 1m
• 10-12 mm thick fresh cow dung paste is laid in the
vermibeds and is left for some time till the extra water
seeped out
• The mass is then pierced profusely by stickS upto the
bottom and left as such for one day or nil the walls of the
holes are hard enough not to collapse when sticks are
removed.
• Then the earthworms are released from the breeder box
at the rate of 1 kg per 10 feet length of each vermibed.
• The moisture content of the beds is maintained by
sprinkling water as per actual necessity.
4. Windrow Vermicomposting
• The beds are covered with gunny bags that
helps to retain moisture and keep away worm
predators.
• There must be a water channel always full of
water around the shed to keep the red ants
away
• After 2 months, watering is discontinued and
fresh row in the vacant middle portion is laid
and watered.
• Worms from the old dry masses will migrate
into the freshly laid mass. Then the old rows
can be harvested and stored in poly jute bags.
• This method is best for large scale harvest of
vermicompost.
5. Wedge System
• The arrangement of the rows of
vermibed is V-shaped in the wedge
system.
• It is a batch system vermicomposting.
• The piles are constructed in outdoors.
• The wedge system is the modified
windrow system
5. Wedge System
5. Wedge System: Steps
• The organic wastes and cow dung are allowed
to pre-decompose. They are used as the
vermibed materials.
• A layer of pre-decomposed vermibed materials
is spread into a row one end of the site.
• The height of the layer should be 3 to 4 inches.
• The length of the row depends upon the site
area.
• The breadth of the row should be 3 feet.
• The height of the vermibed should be 1 foot.
• Water is sprinkled on the layer.
5. Wedge System: Steps
• Then the second layer of vermibed material is
laid over the first layer. The height of this layer
should be also 3 to 4 inches.
• Like this the height of the vermibed is raised up
to 1 foot.
• Water is applied above each layer.
• Earthworms are released on the bed at the rate
of I kg per 10 feet length of vermibed.
• The earthworms move into the bed.
• Water is sprinkled periodically to maintain
moisture.
• The vermibed is covered with broad leaves,
coconut or gunny bags.
5. Wedge System: Steps
• After one month, the second row of vermibed is
started. The new row is started at an angle of 45
from the first row.
• This row is also piled with vermibed materials layer
by layer to a height of 1 foot.
• The worms from the first row automatically migrate
into the second row and start composting.
• Like this the subsequent rows are laid at an angle
of 45° from the previous rows.
• Worms will continue to move from the first bed to
the next through the point of contact.
• After two months, the first windrow can be
harvested. This is followed by the subsequent
rows.
5. Wedge System
5. Wedge System: Advantages
• In this system, there is no need to
harvest the worms because there is
no need to separate the worms from
the vermicompost.
• This system requires less space only
 Stacked Bin Method:
• Stacked bin consists of a frame with a ser ot bins
stacked one above the other.
• It was devised by George (2004).
• It is a batch or continuous flow system.
• It is an indoor vermicomposting. It is suitable for
houses, offices, hotels, hostels, etc.
• The system consists of a frame and a set of trays.
• The trays are placed one above the other inside
the frame.
• The bins are square shaped with a side of 4 feet,
and a depth of 1 foot. The bins are removable.
• The bins are loaded with cattle dung and shredded
card board at the ratio of 1:2.
Stacked Bin Method:
Stacked Bin Method:
• 2.27 kg of worms are inoculated into each bin.
• The worms decompose the organic waste.
• The bins are removed on completion of composting.
• They are emptied and the compost is harvested.
• The worms are used for the second round of composting
 7. Vermireactor System
• Vermireactor is a vessel used for vermicomposting.
• The vermireactor system has a number of chambers resting
on a stand.
• Each chamber has two plates. The inner plate has mesh
bottom
• The vermibeds are placed in the mesh bottom plate in which
the earthworms are thriving and feeding.
• Feedstocks are added daily on the top of the inner plates.
• The moisture control and temperature regulation are
adjusted automatically.
• The finished vermicompost are falling into the outer
chamber.
• From the outer chamber the compost is collected
periodically.
• The system is relatively simple method.
• The vermireactors are used in hotels, hostels, home etc.
Large Scale Production of
Vermicompost
 8. Bed Method:
• Vermicomposting in a walled enclosure constructed in
a shed is called bed method.
• The enclosure is rectangular in shape. It constructed
out of bricks and mortar.
• The height is 2 feet, the width is 3 feet and the length
is adjusted as per the space available.
• The floor is paved with tiles.
• The bed is prepared inside the walled enclosure.
• Earthworms are introduced into the bed.
• Organic wastes are added thrice in a week
• Watering is periodically done to maintain 75 to 90%
moisture,
• In 2 to 3 months the vermicompost is ready for
harvest.
8. Bed Method:
 Continuous Flow System:
• Continuous flow system is a system, where there
is continuous harvesting of vermicompost from
the bottom of the vermibed and continuous
addition of bed materials to the top.
• The system consists of a large bioreactor an
automated overhead gantry, an automated
harvester system and a breaker bar.
• The bioreactor is constructed in a shed.
• The bioreactor is a long bin.
• It has 40 inch height and 8 feet width and 125 feet
length.
• The base of the bin has a wire mesh to help the
finished vermicompost to fall down.
 Continuous Flow System:
• A newspaper is spread above the mesh. It prevents the falling down
of fresh materials.
• Above the newspaper bedding materials are added.
• Worms are added to the system.
• The automated overhead gantry delivers a consistent layer of
feedstock.
• The system is continuously fed until the bin is nearly full.
• The worms move upward through the bedding layers decomposing
them.
• Finished vermicompost tends to hold together above the wire mesh.
• Harvesting of vermicompost is done by disturbing the decomposed
materials.
• A breaker bar placed across the wire mesh, removes a thin layer of
vermicompost.
• The automated harvesting system removes finished vermicompost
from beneath.
Continuous Flow System:
Thank You……..!
 DEPARTMENT OF
ZOOLOGY
SUBJECT : VERMITECHNOLOGY

TOPIC: VERMICOMPOST HARVESTING & NUTRITIVE PROFILE

Mr. Amol. R. Handore

(M.Sc., B.Ed., SET)
Harvesting the Vermicompost:
• Collection of vermicompost from the
composted area is called harvesting
• The finished material will be brown or
earthy like and the original bedding
materials will no longer be recognizable.
• Volume of material decomposed will be much
reduced possibly down to 10% of its volume
• In the tub method of composting, the
castings formed on the top layer are
collected periodically
• Collection may be carried out once in a
week
Harvesting the Vermicompost:
• With hand, the casting will be
scooped out and put in a shady
place as a heap like structure
• The harvesting of casting should
be limited up to the level of
earthworm presence on top layer
• This periodical harvesting is
necessary for free flow.
• Otherwise the finished compost get
compacted when watering is done.
• In small bed type of
vermicomposting method periodical
harvesting is not required
Harvesting the Earthworm
• Collection of earthworms from the completed
vermicompost is called harvesting of earthworms
• Worm harvesting is usually carried out in order to
sell the worms, and to start new worm beds
• Expanding the operation (new beds) can be
accomplished by splitting the beds by removing a
portion of the bed.
• To start a new bed the old materials are replaced
with new, bedding and feed
• When worms are sold, they are usually
separated, weighed, and then transported in a
relatively sterile medium, such as peat moss
(Sphagnum)
• To accomplish this, the worms must be separated
from the bedding and vermi-compost
Methods of Harvesting Earthworms:
• 1. Trapping method

• 2. Manual method

• 3. Migration method

• 4. Light retraction method

• 5. Shifting method

• 6. Mechanical method
1. Trapping Method
• In the vermibed, small fresh cow dung
ball is made and inserted inside the bed
in five or six places
• Entire worm will be adhered into the cow
dung balls
• After 24 hours, the cow dung ball is
removed
• Putting the cow dung ball in a bucket of
water Separate these adhered worms.
• Collected worms will be used for next
batch of composting
2. Manual Method
• Manual harvesting involves hand
sorting, or picking the worms directly
from the compost by hand.
• This process can be facilitated by taking
advantage of the fact that worms avoid
light.
• The bin containing compost with worms
dumped in a pile on a flat surface.
• Pile is exposed to light.
• Worms will quickly dive downwards
• A layer of compost is harvested until the
worms become visible again.
2. Manual Method
• This process is repeated several times until here is nothing left
on the ground except a huddled mass of worms under a thin
covering of compost.
• These worms can then be quickly scooped into a container,
weighed and prepared for delivery.
• There are several minor variations and enhancements on this
method.
• A container can be used instead of a flat surface.
• Several piles can be made side by side at once
• So that the person harvesting can move from one to another,
returning to the first one in time to remove the next layer of
compost.
• They are all labour intensive, so this operation is suitable for
small scale operation.
• Manual method is used by hobbyists and small- scale growers,
particularly those who sell worms to the home
vermicomposting or bait market.
3. Migration Method
• Earthworms move from one place to another place
in search of food or favorable condition.
• The method used in vermicomposting, is based an
the worms tendency to migrate to new regions,
either to find new food or to avoid undesirable
conditions such as dryness or light.
• The method is very common and easy to use.
• A box is constructed with a screen bottom.
• The mesh is usually 1/4", 1/8" sizes can be used.
• It has been filled with a few centimeters of damp
peat moss and then sprinkled with a food attractive
to worms such as chicken mash, coffee grounds, or
fresh cattle manure.
• The box with the mesh bottom is placed directly on
the worm bed.
3. Migration Method
• The worms migrate into the boxes.
• The box is removed and the worms
are collected.
• This system can be set up in a
number of locations. This will help in
quick harvesting.
• This method is used extensively in
Cuba.
• Large onion bags are also used
instead of boxes.
• The advantage of this system is that
the worm beds are not disturbed.
4. Sideways Separation
• The finished material is moved to one side
while fresh bedding mixed with organic
waste, is placed alongside
• During the following 7 to 14 days the worms
will migrate from the finished vermicompost
into the fresh bedding
• The advantage of this method is that it allows
the cocoons to hatch in the meantime and
most will also move across
5. Light Retraction Method
• The earthworms move away from the light and
aggregated in shaded or dark place is called light
retraction method.
• In this method a large plastic sheet is spread in the floor.
• The compost present in the bin is spread on the sheet.
• The compost is then piled into mounds.
• A bright light is placed over the mounds or exposed to
sunlight.
• The worms quickly move away from the light source and
move to the bottom of the pile.
• After 10-15 minutes the top of the bedding is scraped off.
• This procedure is repeated till the worms huddle together
at the bottonm of the pile with very little bedding material.
• The worms are then collected and placed immediately into
the new bed.
6. Shifting Method
• In this method the worms and bedding
are shifted through a coarse screen of a
sieve.
• In the shifting method worms and
compost are separated through a sieve.
• Castings fall through the mesh while the
worms stay behind.
• The shifting of worm is done quickly into
a new bed or with a gentle shaking
before the worms get a chance to wriggle
down through the wire mesh.
7. Mechanical Harvesting Method
• Mechanical method is the separation of worms from
vermicompost using a device.
• The device used for separation of worms and compost
is called mechanical harvester.
• It is the easiest and quickest method for separation.
• The mechanical harvester consists of a rotating cylinder,
a conical screen and a wheel barrow with wheels.
• The cylinder is about 8-10 feet in length and 2-3 feet in
diameter.
• The cylinder walls are fitted with a screen of different
mesh sizes.
• The cylinder is fitted in slanting position
• Below the harvester a wheel barrow is fitted for
collecting vermicompost
Mechanical Harvester
7. Mechanical Harvesting Method
• The cylinder is rotated by a small electrical motor which
is fitted on one end of the cylinder.
• The bedding material with worm is added at the upper
end of the rotating device.
• As the cylinder rotates the castings fall through the
screen into the wheel barrow.
• The worms ride the entire distance of the device and
reach the lower end of the cylinder.
• From the cylinder the worms are collected immediately.
• This device is used for the separation of worms and
compost at the same time.
• The sieved compost is dried and packed.
• The mechanical device is used to collect only in large
scale compost.
Storing and Packaging
• The harvested vermicompost should be stored in dark, cool
places.
• It should have a minimum of 40% moisture.
• Sunlight should not fall over the composted material. It will
lead to loss of moisture and nutrient content.
• The harvested compost material is openly stored rather than
packed in sac.
• Packing can be done at the time of selling.
• If it is stored in open place, periodical sprinkling of water
may be done to maintain moisture level and also to maintain
beneficial microbial population
• If the necessity comes to store the material laminated over
sac is used for packing. This will minimize the moisture
evaporation.
• Vermicompost can be stored for one year without loss of its
quality, if the moisture is maintained at 40% level.
Nutritive Value of Vermicompost:
Vermicompost contains the following
components:
• Vermicasts
• Enzymes
• Сосооns
• Hormones
• Minerals
• Мucous
• Micronutrients
• Antibiotics
• Macronutrients
• Biocides
• Vitamins
• Microbes, etc.
Nutritive Value of Vermicompost:
• Microbial population is considerably higher in
vermicompost than in compost.
Fresh Earthworm casts contain:
• 5 times richer in nitrogen
• 7 times richer in phosphates
• 11 times richer in potash (K) than the
surrounding upper 6 inches of soil
• Vermicompost has Less soluble salts Neutral
pH
• Greater ion exchange capacity
• Humic acid
• Nitrates
Nutritive Value of Vermicompost:
• The hormones include auxins,
gibberellins, cytokinins etc.
• The nutrient content of vermicompost
varies depending on the waste materials,
used for compost preparation.
• If the waste materials are heterogeneous
one, there will be wide range of nutrients
available in the compost.
• If the waste materials are homogenous
there will be less amount of nutrients.
• The vermicompost contains both
macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macronutrients of Vermicompost:
• Organic carbon
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sulphur
• Calcium
• Magnesium and iron

• Organic Carbon is maximum & is

11.6%
• Calcium is 4.4%
Micronutrients of Vermicompost:
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Copper
• Boron and
• Molybdenum
Nutritive Value of Vermicompost:
Nutritive Value of Vermicompost:
Thank You……..!