This document provides information on the preparation and use of vermicompost and biofertilizers. It discusses the process of vermicomposting using earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich manure. The steps for producing vermicompost through bed and pit methods are outlined. Biofertilizers are defined as living microorganisms that promote plant growth when applied to seeds or soil. The document lists different types of biofertilizers and describes the mass production process. It also explains ideal carrier materials and how to package the inoculants for use. The main methods of application for biofertilizers are seed treatment, seedling root dip, and soil treatment.

1. S
COURSE TITLE :- PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF SOIL FERTILITY & NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
COURSE NO. :- AGRON-502
CREDIT LOAD :- 2+1
PRESENTED TO :- Dr. RAIES A. BHAT
PRESENTED BY :-
38/Ag (AGRON)/19-M ( HASEENA SHABNAM )

2. TOPIC FOR PRESENTATION
“PREPARATION AND USE OF VERMICOMPOST
AND BIOFERTILIZERS”

3. A) VERMICOMPOST

4. INTRODUCTION
• Vermicomposting Definition: -
“Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworms convert the organic waste into manure rich in high
nutritional content.”
• Vermicomposting is the scientific method of making compost, by using of earthworms which are commonly
found living in soil, feeding on biomass and excreting it in a digested form.
• Vermiculture means “worm-farming”. Earthworms feed on the organic waste materials and give out excreta in
the form of “vermicasts” that are rich in nitrates and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and
potassium. These are used as fertilizers and enhance soil quality.
• The nutrients profile of vermicompost’s are:
1.6 per cent of Nitrogen.
0.7 per cent of Phosphorus.
0.8 per cent of Potassium.
0.5 per cent of Calcium.
0.2 per cent of Magnesium.
1.75 per cent of Iron.
96.5 per cent of Manganese.
24.5 per cent of Zinc
9.5 – 17.9 per cent of Organic carbon

5. CONTINUE
Selection of suitable earthworm
For vermicompost production, the surface dwelling earthworm alone should be used. The earthworm, which lives below the soil,
is not suitable for vermicompost production. The African earthworm (Eudrillus engenial), Red wiggler worms (Eisenia foetida)
and composting worm (Peronyx excavatus) are promising worms used for vermicompost production. All the three worms can be
mixed together for vermicompost production.. Red worms/tiger worms are the most common worm species used in Kashmir
conditions.
Red wiggler worms/ Tiger worms (Eisenia foetida) most commonly used in Kashmir conditions.

7. CONTINUE
Vermicomposting comprises two methods:
i. Bed Method: Composting is done on the pucca / kuccha floor by making bed (6x2x2 feet size) of organic mixture.
This method is easy to maintain and to practice.
ii. Pit Method: Composting is done in the cemented pits of size 5x5x3 feet. The unit is covered with thatch grass or
any other locally available materials. This method is not preferred due to poor aeration, water logging at
bottom, and more cost of production.
Materials for preparation of Vermicompost
1. Any types of biodegradable wastes- Crop residues, Weed biomass, Vegetable waste, Leaf litter, Hotel refuse
,Waste from agro-industries, Biodegradable portion of urban and rural wastes etc.
2. Starter: Cow dung , Biogas slurry, or urine of cattle
3. Earth worms (Species: Eisenia foetida)
4. Thatched roof/vermished.
Favorable condition required for vermicomposting:-
• pH: Range between 6.5 and 7.5
• Moisture: 60-70% of the moisture below and above range mortality of worms taking place
• Aeration: 50% aeration from the total pore space
• Temperature: Range between 18°C to 35°C

8. Steps for preparation of vermicompost
1. Vermicomposting unit should be in a cool, moist and shady site .
2. Cow dung and chopped dried leafy materials are mixed in the proportion of 3: 1
3. kept for partial decomposition for 15 – 20 days.
4. A layer of 15-20cm of chopped dried leaves/grasses should be kept as bedding material at the
bottom of the bed.
5. Beds of partially decomposed material of size 6x2x2 feet should be made
6. Each bed should contain 1.5-2.0q of raw material and the number of beds can be increased as
per raw material availability and requirement.
7. Red earthworm (1500-2000/m²) should be released on the upper layer of bed.
8. Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms.
9. Beds should be kept moist by sprinkling of water (daily) and b y covering with gunny
bags/polythene
10. Bed should be turned once after 30 days for maintaining aeration and for proper
decomposition.
11. Compost gets ready in 45-50 days.
12. The finished product is ¾ of the raw materials used.

10. CONTINUE
HARVESTING:-
• When raw material is completely decomposed it appears black and granular.
• Watering should be stopped as compost gets ready.
• The compost should 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.
USES:-
1. Use of Vermicompost for houseplants
Vermicompost is ideal for most of the ornamental, foliage or indoor flowering plants. It maintains
the color, size & shape and overall appearance of foliage & branches of houseplants by providing
a steady source of nutrients.

11. CONTINUE
USES:-
2. Use of vermicompost in vegetables
Vermicompost has revolutionized vegetable farming & kitchen gardening. In organic farming, it has shown the best
results among all the other fertilizers. All kinds of fruiting, underground and leafy vegetables can be grown by using
vermicompost as a primary fertilizer, whether grown in containers or on raised beds.
3. Use of vermicompost in field crops

12. B) BIOFERTILIZERS

13. INTRODUCTION
• Bio fertilizers are not fertilizers. “Bio fertilizer” is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when
applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth
by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. It comprises living organisms which
include mycorrhizal fungi, blue-green algae, and bacteria.
• These are the microbial inoculants which are artificially multiplied cultures of certain soil microorganisms that can
improve soil fertility and crop productivity
• Biofertilizers add nutrients through their activities like nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization and stimulating
plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances.

15. Rhizobium sp. For Lentil Rhizobium leguminosarum

16. Trichoderma sp. Blue Green Algae

18. Steps for preparation of biofertilizers
Mass production
• Isolated bacterial cultures were subculture in to nutrient broth
• The cultures were grown under shaking condition at 30±2°C
• The culture incubated until it reaches maximum cell population of 10¹º to 10¹¹
• Under optimum condition this population level could be attained within 4-5 days for
Rhizobium 5-7 days for Azospirillum and 6-7 days for Azotobacter.
• The culture obtained in the flask is called Starter culture.
• For large scale production , inoculum from starter culture is transferred in to large
flasks/fermenter and grown until required level of cell count is reached.

21. A) Carrier material
Carrier material the use of ideal carrier material is necessary for the production of good quality of
biofertilizer Peat soil, lignite, vermiculture, charcoal, press mud, farmyard manure and soil
mixture are used as a carrier materials Neutralized peat soil/lignite are found to be better carrier
materials Ideal carrier material should be
1. Cheaper in cost
2. Locally available
3. High organic matter content
4. No toxic chemical
5. Water holding capacity of more than 50%
B) Preparation of inoculants packet
1. Neutralized and sterilized carrier material is spread in a clean, dry, sterile metallic or plastic.
2. Bacterial culture drawn from the fermenter is added to the sterilized carrier and mixed well by
manual or mechanical mixer
3. Inoculants are packed in a polythene bags sealed with electric sealer

22. HOW TO USE OR APPLICATION OF
BIOFERTILIZERS
A) Seed treatment
Each packet (200g) of inoculant is mixed with 200 ml of rice gruel or jaggery solution. The seeds required
for one hectare are mixed in the slurry so as to have uniform coating of the inoculants over the seeds and
then shade dried for 30 minutes. The treated seeds should be used within 24 hours. One packet of
inoculant is sufficient to treat to 10 kg seeds. Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Phosphobacteria
are applied as seed treatment
B) Seedling root dip
This method is used for transplanted crops. Five packets (1.0 kg) of the inoculants are required for one ha
and mixed with 40 litres of water. The root portion of the seedlings is dipped in the solutions for 5 to 10
minutes and then transplanted. Azospirillum is used for seedling root dip particularly for rice.
C) Soil treatment
4 kg each of the recommended biofertilizers are mixed in 200 kg of compost and kept overnight. This
mixture is incorporated in the soil at the time of sowing or planting.

23. Thank You All