Vermicomposting is a method of using earthworms to convert organic wastes like crop residues into a nutrient-rich compost called vermicompost. Earthworm species like Eisenia foetida and Erudrilus evegeniae are commonly used. The earthworms physically aerate, crush, and mix the materials while chemically degrading and biologically stimulating decomposition. Vermicompost contains higher levels of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than traditional composts. The vermicomposting process involves layering organic materials and bedding in a pit or heap, maintaining suitable moisture, temperature, and aeration conditions for the earthworms to feed and produce castings, which

1. VERMICOMPOST TECHNOLOGY
• An emerging technology for recycling of crop
residues and other organic solid wastes by the
utilization of earthworms to convert them into
vermicompost.

2. Vermicomposting:
• Vermis = worm, cultura = growth
• Vermicomposting is a method of making compost with
the use of earthworms, which generally live in soil, eat
biomass and excrete it in digested form.
• The end product of vermicomposting is vermicompost.
• It contains N (1.2-1.6%), P₂O₅ (1.8-2.0%) & K₂O (0.5-
0.75%)
• Earthworm consume large quantities of organic matter
and excrete soil as cast.
• VERMICULTURE: A Scientific method of breeding
and raising earthworms in controlled condition.

3. Earthworms
Species of earth
worms used for
vermicomposting in
India:
• Eisenia foetida
• Erudrilus
evegeniae

4. Earthworm is physically an aerator,
crusher, mixer, chemically a degrader and
biologically a stimulator in the
decomposer system.

5. Nutrient composition in
vermicompost:
S. No Nutrient Content
1 Organic carbon 9-17%
2 Total nitrogen 1.5-2.1%
3 Total phosphorus 1-1.5%
4 Total potassium 0.60%
5 Ca & Mg 22-70 me/100g
6 Available S 128-548 ppm
7 Copper 100ppm
8 Iron 1800 ppm
9 Zinc 50 ppm

6. Favourable conditions of Earthworms
in the composting materials:
• pH range between 6.5-7.5 (Neutral)
• Moisture- 60-70%
• Aeration- 50%
• Temperature- 18°C-35°C

7. Vermicomposting is done under thatched roof
to protect worms against rain and sun.

8. Vermicomposting using polythene

9. Organic waste should be finely chopped
before using in vermicomposting.

10. Procedure:
• Mostly prepared in either pit or heap method in a
shady area in the farm.
• Dimensions: 10x4x2 feet
• 1st layer- bedding material of 1inch thick with soft
leaves
• 2nd layer- 9inch thick organic residues layer finely
chopped materials
• 3rd layer- Dung + water equal mixture of 2inches
layer
• Continue the layers up to ground level.
• Regular watering should be done.

11. Procedure: contd
• At the day of 24th, 4000 worms are introduced in to
the pit.(1m²- 2000 worms)
The temperature at the beginning may reach up to
66˚C. Hence introduction of the earthworms should
be done after 2-3 weeks.
After the heap cools down, holes should be dug and
50-100 earthworms should be dropped in each hole
• After a few days earthworms will begin consuming
the organic matter and leave rich castings behind.

12. Harvesting of the vermicompost
from the pit:
• Stop watering before 1 week of harvest.
• All the worms spread across the pit come in closer
and form balls in 2 to 3 locations in side the pit.
• Heap the compost by removing the balls.
• Then the material is sieved in 2mm sieve, the
material that passed through the sieve is called
vermicompost.
• Store the vermicompost in polythene bags.

13. Sieving:

15. Turn over:
• Turn over of the compost is 75%.
• The total material accommodated in the pit is
1000kg; the out turn will be 750kg.
Conversion rates:
• 1000 earth worms may convert 5kg waste
materials per day.
• 1000 worms weighs about a kilogram.

16. Application rate
• It can be applied in any crop at any stage, but it
would be more beneficial if mixed in soil after
broadcasting.
• The rate of application is as
Field crops 5-6 t/ha;
Vegetables 10-12 t/ha;
Flower plants 100-200 g/sq ft;
Fruit trees 5-10 kg/tree.

17. Advantages of vermicompost
• Vermicompost is a rich source of nutrients, vitamins,
enzymes, antibiotics and growth hormones. So it gives
disease resistance to plants.
• Nutrient content of vermicompost is higher than
traditional composts.
• It is a valuable soil amendment.
• Vermicompost harbors certain microbial populations
that help in N fixation and P solubilization.
• Its application enhances nodulation in legumes and
symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with the roots.

18. Advantages of vermicompost
• Superiority of vermicompost over other synthetic
growth media is more pronounced in plant nurseries.
• It can be used as rooting medium and for establishment
of saplings in nurseries.
• It improves taste, lusture and keeping quality of the
produce.
• It has immobilized enzymes like protease, lipase,
amylase, cellulase and chitinese which keep on their
function of biodegradation of agricultural residues in the
soil so that further microbial attack is speeded up.
• It does not have foul odour as is associated with
manures and decaying organic wastes.

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