Dr.M.
DEIVANAYAKI
What is vermitechnology
It is a process of composting organic
wastes into valuable organic fertilizer
by the action of earthworms
Vermicompost and
vermicast
VERMICOMPOST:
This compost is an odorless, clean, organic
material containing adequate quantities of
N, P, K and several micronutrients
essential for plant growth.
VERMICAST:
It is also called worm castings, worm
humus, worm manure, or worm faeces
is the end-product of the breakdown of
organic matter by earthworms
METHODS OF
VERMICOMPOSTING
Methods of Vermicomposting
(1) Pits below the ground Pits made for
vermicomposting are 1 m deep and 1.5 m wide. The
length varies as required.
(2) Heaping above the ground The waste material is
spread on a polythene sheet placed on the ground and
then covered with cattle dung. The efficacy of pit and
heap methods of preparing vermicompost under field
conditions was compared [8]. Considering the
biodegradation of wastes as the criterion, the heap
method of preparing vermicompost was better than the
pit method. Earthworm population was high in the heap
method, with a 21-fold increase in Eudrilus eugeniae as
compared to 17-fold increase in the pit method. Biomass
production was also higher in the heap method (46-fold
increase) than in the pit method (31-fold). Consequent
production of vermicompost was also higher in the heap
method (51 kg) than in the pit method (40 kg).
(3) Tanks above the ground Tanks made up of different materials
such as normal bricks, hollow bricks, shabaz stones, asbestos sheets
and locally available rocks were evaluated for vermicompost
preparation. Tanks can be constructed with the dimensions suitable
for operations. The tanks with dimensions of 1.5 m (5 feet) width, 4.5
m (15 feet) length and 0.9 m (3 feet) height. The commercial bio-
digester contains a partition wall with small holes to facilitate easy
movement of earthworms from one tank to the other.
(4) Cement rings Vermicompost can also be prepared above the
ground by using cement. The size of the cement ring should be 90 cm
in diameter and 30 cm in height. The details of preparing
vermicompost by this method have been described in a later section.
(5) Commercial model The commercial model for vermicomposting
consists of four chambers enclosed by a wall (1.5 m width, 4.5 m
length and 0.9 m height). The walls are made up of different materials
such as normal bricks, hollow bricks, shabaz stones, asbestos sheets
and locally available rocks. This model contains partition walls with
small holes to facilitate easy movement of earthworms from one
chamber to another.
BED METHOD
TANKS ABOVE THE GROUND
CEMENT RING
HEAPING METHOD
