3. Only "living" things can have
health
Soil health, also referred to as
soil quality, is defined as the
continued capacity of soil to
function as a vital living
ecosystem that sustains plants,
animals, and humans. This
definition speaks to the
importance of managing soils so
they are sustainable for future
generations.
4. Supplies nutrients for healthy plant growth
Allows water to infiltrate freely
Resists erosion
Stores water
Readily exchanges gases with the atmosphere
Contains a large and diverse population of soil
biota
Is not acidifying or salinising
Has a range of pore spaces to house organisms,
nutrients and water
5. IN SHORT
Which contains all
essential nutrients in proper
amount and in available
form.
Which contains sufficient
amount of organic matter.
which contains sufficient
amount of benifical
microbial population.
6. Extension workers
Soil respiration measurement.
Presence of pathogens.
Soil pH, conductivity..
Microbial biomass.
Nutrient levels.
Physical indicators, e.g. Aggregate stability, and
infiltration rate
7. Nature of roots (density, depth).
Decomposition of litter.
Macrofauna, including indicators such as
worm casts.
N-fixing organisms, e.g. legume root nodules.
Plant population profiles (+ weeds).
Smell.
Soil physical indicators, e.g. waterlogging and
compaction
8.
9. Maximizing soil health is
essential to maximizing
sustainable profitability.
This can be accomplished by:-
Disturbing the soil as little as
possible.
keeping living plants in the
soil as often as possible
Addition of organic matter.
Addition of biofertilizers.
Regular soil testing.
14. Improves the fertility and productivity of
soil because compost is excellent source of
humus and nutrients. It is called soil
conditioner.
Compost improves the structure of the soil
enable them to retain nutrients, moisture,
and air for the growth of plants.
Increase the efficiency of minerals and bio
fertilizers.
Maximize the recycling of agriculture
organic residues.
Reduce the use of chemicals.
Promote concept of integrated plant
nutrient system.
15. Vermicomposting
It is the process by which worms are used to
convert organic materials (usually wastes)
into a humus-like material known as
vermicompost.
Vermicompost
It is a very fine granular substance which
improves plant growth and water retention
capacity of soil. It also contains growth
promoting substances.
16. Earthworms consume biomass
and excrete it in digested form
called worm casts/Black gold.
The casts are rich in nutrients,
growth promoting substances,
beneficial soil micro flora.
17. It is a peat like material with high porosity, aeration,
drainage, water holding capacity and diverse
microbial activity .
It supplies essential micronutrients, valuable
vitamins, hormones and also contains growth
promoting substances like auxins and cytokinins.
The organic carbon in vermicompost releases the
nutrients slowly and steadily into the system
and enables the plant to absorb these nutrients
through out their life cycle.
18. Eisenia fetida
Most commom species used
Common Names: Red
Wiggler, Redworm, Tiger
Worm, Manure Worm
About ½ kg worms = 1000 No.
It can survive easily at 10-35oc
temperature
Life cycle of this worm is 180
days.
Consumes 1.5g to 7.0g food
material per day (at least
half their body weight)
20. Pit/Bed Method
Pit with standard dimensions are prepared
Raw material in the form of pre-decomposed cow dung and other
organic waste is put in the pit in alternate layers
Earth worms are released in the pit
Watering is done daily so that moisture content is kept constant
Turning may be done after 15 days
After 40-45 days vermicompost may be ready for use.
Methods of Vermicomposting
21.
22. Temperature: 25-35 (0C ideal)
Moisture: 60-85%
Aeration: Keep the pits aerobic
pH: 7.0 best
23. •Fresh cow dung should be avoided.
• Crop residues should be properly water soaked
before mixing with worms
•Always avoid weed seeds in mixing pit.
•To maintain moisture level, spray water as and
when required.
•Protect from direct sun light
24. Meat
Grease
Bones
Cat or dog feces
Materials with pungent smell
25. Chemical composition of vermicompost
pH 7.60
OC(%) 33.11
N(%) 1.82
P(%) 0.98
K(%) 1.25
Ca(%) 6.58
Mg(%) 2.15
Ca mg 15
Mg mg 10
26. Vermiwash, a liquid fertilizer can be collected
through the column of activated earthworm.
It contains plant growth hormones like auxins
and cytokinin apart from nitrogen, phosphorus,
potash and other micronutrients.
Vermiwash
27. A base layer of gravel or
broken small pieces of
bricks are placed up to
height of 10 cm.
After that a layer of soil +
compost is placed15 cm
Than cow dung 5cm
After that earth warms are
released
Than cow dung 2-5 cm
After compost 10cm