This document discusses earthworms and their role in vermicomposting. It begins by describing the types and characteristics of common earthworm species used for vermicomposting. It then explains the vermicomposting process, how earthworms break down organic waste materials, and the benefits of vermicompost over traditional composting. Finally, it provides details on setting up small and large scale vermicomposting systems and the advantages of using vermicompost in agriculture.

1. Earthworms and their role in
vermicomposting
Dr. Sharanpreet Singh Kahlon (M.Sc., PhD)
Principal
Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Fateh Singh Sen. Sec.
Public School (Kalanaur, GSP)
Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi

2. ABOUT
EARTHWORMS

3. What are Earthworms ?
❑ Tube-shaped, segmented worm found in the Phylum
Annelida
❑ Hermaphrodites–each individual carries both male
and female sex organs
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Oligochaeta

4. Types of Earthworms
Epigeic : Eisenia fetida
Endogeic: Metaphire posthuma
Anecic: Lampito mauritti

5. Characteristics Epigeic Endogeic Anecic
Burrowing nature
and type
Surface dwelling Shallow burrowing and
horizontal
Deep burrowing and
vertical
Body size Small Medium Large
Body colour Uniform Weak pigmented Medium pigmented
Food Leaf litter, cattle
dung
Soil with high organic
matter
Leaf litter,
decomposed litter
Feeding behaviour Detritivores Geophagous Detritivores
Role Biodegraders Soil mixing and
aeration
Soil organic matter
decomposition
Vermicomposting
efficiency
High Low Low
Earthworm Species Eisenia fetida,
Perionyx excavatus,
Eudrilus eugeniae
Metaphire posthuma,
Octochaetona thurstoni,
Aporrectodea rosea,
Octolasion cyaneum
Lampito mauritii,
Aporrectodea longa,
Lumbricus terrestris
Comparative account of characteristics of earthworms species under
three ecological categories.

7. Life Cycle of Earthworms

8. Cocoons

9. Factors affecting Earthworms
❑ Temperature (25-35o C)
❑ pH (7-8)
❑ Moisture (60-70 %)
❑ Aeration
❑ Shade

10. Agriculture activity and its effect on earthworm
❑ Cultivation
❑ Cropping
❑ Fertilizers
❑ Pesticides
❑ Heavy Metals

11. Sample Name
Site I (Botanical Garden) Site II (Agriculture Field)
Soil Vermicast Soil Vermicast
pH 9.15 ± 0.02 8.81 ± 0.075 8.87 ± 0.032 8.54 ± 0.02
EC (µS/cm) 163.23 ± 0.08 132.4 ± 0.06 86.8 ± 0.03 70.3 ± 0.04
TDS (mg/L) 98.19 ± 0.32 93.2 ± 0.05 61.65 ± 0.037 55.04 ± 0.03
N (g/Kg) 0.15 ± 0.006 0.224 ± 0.002 0.11 ± 0.014 0.14 ± 0.03
P (g/kg) 0.61 ± 0.01 13.455 ± 0.047 0.42 ± 0.03 8.48 ± 0.07
K (g/kg) 3.93 ± 0.01 1.348 ± 0.009 0.26 ± 0.033 0.19 ± 0.003
OC (%) 1.78 ± 0.001 1.97 ± 0.003 0.92 ± 0.02 2.55 ± 0.002
Na (g/kg) 1.47 ± 0.02 1.3005 ± 0.09 0.63 ± 0.032 0.52 ± 0.03
Ca (g/kg) 0.72 ± 0.03 0.64 ± 0.03 1.65 ± 0.025 1.43 ± 0.02
Li (g/kg) 2.39 ± 0.04 1.3045 ± 0.002 4.79 ± 0.049 3.87 ± 0.02
Fe (mg/Kg) 32.37 ± 0.14 1.61 ± 0.03 6.96 ± 0.032 3.92 ± 0.02
Ni (mg/Kg) 0.104 ± 0.001 <DL* <DL* <DL*
Zn (mg/Kg) 0.416 ± 0.001 0.113 ± 0.001 0.082 ± 0.003 0.062 ± 0.002
Pb (mg/Kg) 0.299 ± 0.002 0.061 ± 0.003 0.037 ± 0.003 0.023 ± 0.002
Cr (mg/Kg) 0.41 ± 0.02 0.395 ± 0.002 0.007 ± 0.002 <DL*
Comparative account of physico-chemical properties of Soil
and Vermicast
Source : Singh et al, 2016

12. Earthworm and Soil Fertility
❑ Effect on Soil Structure
1. Breakdown of soil particles
2. Turnover of soil
3. Formation of aggregates
4. Aeration, porosity
5. Drainage
❑ Indicator of soil type
❑ Effect on crop yield

13. Earthworm Enemies
❑ Mice & Rats
❑ Snakes
❑ Mole
❑ Birds

14. • All wastes arising from human and animal
activities that are normally solid & discarded.
• Encompasses heterogeneous mass of throw
aways from residential, commercial, bio-medical
institutions & industry.
• Manner in which materials are discarded
contributes to pollution of environment.
• Different cities are making different efforts to over
come the problems associated with it.
Solid wastes

16. Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting deals with
management of waste from
various sectors (Agricultural,
industrial, domestic and
municipal) to generate useful
products with the help of
earthworm.

17. Species of earthworms used
for vermicomposting
• Eisenia fetida
• Eudrilus euginae
• Perionyx excavatus
• Lumbricus rubellus
• Lampito mauritii
• Polypheretima elongata
• Pontoscolex corethrurus
• Drawida napalensis
• Dichogaster modigliani

18. Digestive System of Earthworm

19. Features for selection
• Tolerances to wide range of environmental
conditions
• Capable of inhabiting high percentage of
organic matter
• Prolific breeder
• High hatching rate
• Short life cycle

20. Vermicomposting Materials
• Animal dung
• Agricultural wastes
• Forestry wastes
• City garbage
• Kitchen wastes
• Industrial waste

21. Earthworm affect on waste
❑ Fragmentation and breakdown
❑ consumption, turnover and humification
❑ Nitrogen mineralization
❑ Effect on C:N ratio
❑ Effect on available nutrients
❑ Increase NPK content
❑ change pH, EC & TDS
❑ Heavy metal Bioremediation

23. Methodology (small scale)
Non biodegradable containers having drain holes
Put cattle dung as layer
Release 400gms of earthworms
Sprinkle water and load cow dung if needed
Leave it for 20 days with regular sprinkling of
water & turning after every 10 days

24. Load approx. 300-500 gms (2-3 inch) of
kitchen/garden waste on alternate days by
mixing with upper 4” layer till tub is filled
After 45-50 days, the entire waste would be
converted into vermicompost, granular in
appearance and ready for harvesting
Stop sprinkling water, take out harvest from the
top, start reloading the waste in the tub
without disturbing the base

25. Small scale

26. Experimental Vermicomposting unit setup at
Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar

27. Large scale
• Maximum width 3 feet.
• Maximum Height 1.5 feet.
• Length can be increased or decreased
according to the quantity of the waste
generated or space available.

28. Large scale

29. Requirement to setup Vermicomposting unit in College
• Shed : Wooden, Steel trusses, RCC Pillars,
Essential due to bed wetting due to rain
• Polythene sheets
• Bricks : To make vermibeds
• Cattle dung
• Jutemat
• Water supply
• One regular staff to take care
the vermibeds.

30. Schemes for Vermibed Preparation
Width 2ft
Length
10ft
1ft to 1.5 ft
Vermibed Vermibed Vermibed

32. Conversion of Bagasse waste into
manure
Pre vermicomposting Post vermicomposting

34. Advantages of
vermicompost
• Rich in NPK,micronutrients & growth
hormones
• Neutralizes highly acidic and basic soils
• Increase water retention power of the soil
• It is 100% organic, safe, non toxic and
odour free
• It generates employment

35. VERMIWASH

36. Use of earthworms in
medicines
Our ancestors used the native
earthworms in folkloric healings of
many sicknesses such as
inflammation of different parts of the
body, stomachaches and toothaches,
to cure mumps, measles and even to
help in making the birthing process
easier.

37. Precautions
• Avoid over watering, over loading &
addition of salt, citric, acidic and
cooked food
• Do not use fresh or completely
degraded cow dung for
vermicomposting
• Protects beds from
sunlight,ants,snakes,frog,rat etc

40. Team Members
1. Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, Professor,
Department of Botanical &
Environmental Sciences,
2. Dr. Sartaj Ahmad Bhat,
Post Doctoral Fellow, Gifu University,
Japan
3. Dr. Sharanpreet Singh
4. Bhawana
5. Soubham Indra Kumar
6. Jahangir Alam, Anu Bala, Rahil, Deachen
Guru Nanak Dev University
Amritsar
Khalsa College, Amritsar
1. Dr. Jaswinder Singh,
Associate Professor,
Department of Zoology,
Khalsa College, Amritsar

41. Vermicomposting unit setup by our Team at different locations

42. Thanks