VERMICOMPOST

ING

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND.

Vermicompost
• Vermicompost is organic manure acquired by the
decomposition of organic matter present in farm and cattle
waste, fruits and vegetables by various species of earth
worm.
• This process is called vermicomposting, with the rearing of
worms for this purpose is called vermiculture.
 Animal excreta
kitchen waste
VERMICOMPOSTING
MATERIAL
farm residues
forest litter
Leguminous plant's residue
 Eisenia fetida (Red
earthworm)
Eudrilus eugeniae (night
EARTHWORMS
crawler)
Perionyx excavatus
 Bed method : Composting is done
kachcha floor by making a bed of
organic mixture. This method is easy
to maintain and to practice
Methods for
vermicomposting Pit method: Composting is done in
the cemented pits. This method is
not preferred due to poor aeration,
water logging at bottom, and more
cost of production
Processes
 Vermicomposting unit should be in a cool, moist and shady site.
 Cow dung and chopped dried leafy materials are kept for partial
decomposition for 15 – 20 days.
 Beds of partially decomposed material of size 6x2x2 feet should be made .
 Red earthworm (1500-2000) should be released on the upper layer of bed
 Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms
 Beds should be kept moist by sprinkling of water and by covering with
polythene
 Compost gets ready in 45-50 days
 The finished product is 3/4th of the raw materials used.
Harvesting
When raw material is completely
decomposed it appears black and
granular. Watering should be
stopped as compost gets ready.
The compost shout be kept over a
heap of partially decomposed cow
dung so that earthworms could
migrate to cow dung from compost
. After two days compost can be
separated and sieved for use
 Crops Dose/rate

Field crops 5-6t/ha

Dosage
Fruit crops 3-5kg/plant

Pots 100-200g/pot
Advantages
It is an easily adoptable low cost technology.
It helps in reducing the toxicity of heavy metals.
 It is a stable and enriched soil conditioner.
 It provides efficient conversion of organic wastes/crop/animal
residues.
Increase resistant power of crop against pest and disease.
Easy handling, supply and storage.
Increase plant growth and encourage the new shoot and leaves.
Thank
you