This document provides an overview of vermicomposting presented by a group for a CE371 presentation. It defines vermicomposting as preparing compost with earthworms, and notes its benefits over traditional composting. The document outlines the materials, earthworm types, methods, factors, phases, and process of vermicomposting. It discusses the products obtained, including vermicompost and vermiwash. Finally, it summarizes the benefits like soil enrichment and plant growth promotion, as well as potential disadvantages like odor and time requirements.

1. CE371 Presentation
VERMICOMPOSTING
GROUP – 8
B19CS009 – RE ZERA MARVEEN LYNGKHOI
B19EE003 – MICHELVERT MARBANIANG
B19EE008 – ANDREW RANI
B19EE031-PYNKUPBORLANG MAWLIEH

2. Content
● What is VermiComposting
● Vermicomposting Material And Earthworms
● Types of vermicomposting Method
● Factors Affecting Vermicomposting
● Phases of vermicomposting
● Process of vermicomposting
● Products Obtained from Vermicomposting
● Benefits
● Disadvantages

3. WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING?
● Vermicomposting is a method of preparing enriched compost with the use of
earthworms. It is one of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to
produce quality compost. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in
digested form called worm casts. Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold.
The casts are rich in nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil
micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes.
COMPOSTING VS VERMICOMPOSTING
Composting is the process of aerobic decomposition oforganic wastet hrough
microorganisms, whereas vermicomposting involves the combination of both the
microorganisms and the earthworms.

4. Vermicomposting materials
● Decomposable organic wastes such as animal excreta, kitchen waste, farm residues and
forest litter are commonly used as composting materials.
● In general, animal dung mostly cow dung and dried chopped crop residues are the key
raw materials. Mixture of different crop residues enriches the quality of vermicompost.
Suitable Earthworms for Vermicomposting
● Megascolex mauritii, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavatus, Lampito
mauritii, Eisenia andrei, Lampito rubellus and Drawida willis
● Eisenia fetida/Red worm is most appropriate earthworm for vermicomposting because it
is easily adaptable for changing conditions and has lower chances of compromising on the
vermicompost process.

6. TYPES OF VERMICOMPOSTING METHODS
Bed/Heaping Method:
● Composting is done on the shed floor by making bed (6x2x2 feet size) of organic mixture.
This method is easy to maintain and to practice.
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.
Tanks:
● Tanks above the ground made up of different materials such as normal bricks, hollow
bricks etc
● Tanks can be constructed with dimensions of 1.5 m (5 feet) width, 4.5 m (15 feet) length and
0.9 m (3 feet) height.
Cement Rings:
● 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.

7. Stacking:
● Several tray are stack on top of one another.Mostly, 3 trays are used with a depth
of 150mm.
Window:
● Long rows on the ground with a depth of 50 cm where organic waste are kept and
worms are introduced
Wedge:
● Horizontal feeding method where a 45 degree fedd is applied on the bedding
Continuous flow System:
● Containers are Keep above ground with a mesh floor.
Batching:
● Organic wastes are keep on boxes where the worm are introduced.

8. FACTORS AFFECTING VERMICOMPOSTING
Feeding
• High organic matter reduces the activity of worms, therefore enhancing anaerobic activity of
microorganisms therefore enhancing anaerobic activity of microorganisms which creates
anaerobic and foul odour conditions.
• Toxic metals if present in the organic feed become fatal for worms.
• Different types amendments such as cow, sheep, horse, and goat dung may result in better
vermicomposting producing a better organic manure.
pH
• Neutral pH is suitable for the proper working of worms, but the favorable range reported is
4.5–9.0.
• It mostly depends on earthworm sensitivity and physicochemical characteristics of the
waste.
• The difference in physicochemical characteristics of waste mainly alters the pH of
vermicomposting process.

9. Temperature
• The optimum temperature range may be 25–37 ̊C which favors the activity, growth,
metabolism,respiration, reproduction, and cocoon production for earthworms and also favors
the microorganisms associated with earthworms.
• Different earthworm species showed different responses against temperature.
• Higher temperatures in vermicomposting systems are responsible for the loss of nitrogen on
the other hand, lower temperatures in vermicomposting process fail to destroy pathogenic
organisms.
Moisture
• The growth rate of earthworms has been related to the moisture level in the
vermicomposting system.
• An optimum moisture range between 50 and 80%has been considered for efficient
vermicomposting;however, up to 90% of moisture level has also been considered efficient for
vermicomposting process.
• Low-moisture conditions delay earthworm development.

10. Stocking Density
• The density of earthworms is influenced by several factors including initial substrate quality
and quantity,temperature,moisture,and soil structure and texture.
• The Copulation Frequency Of Earthworms Is High At Low population density, whereas it
decreases when the density approaches the carrying capacity of the substrate.
• It has been reported that the stocking density of 1.60 kgworms/m2 is optimum for
vermicomposting.
C:N Ratio
● C:N ratio in vermicompost is on bacterial activity, high C:N ratio decrease bacterial
activity because of nitrogen shortage that is essential for bacteria and takes part in
proteins, amino acids and other structural substances of bacteria.
● On the other hand low C:N ratio will led to loss of the nitrogen as in form of NH3 to
atmosphere.
● The worms also hate the high concentration of ammonia and will escape from it.
Vermicompost process will progress properly by starting the process with a C:N ratio
around 25-30 and it will decrease during the process

11. PHASES IN VERMICOMPOSTING

12. Process of vermicomposting
Following steps are followed for vermicompost preparation
• Vermicomposting unit should be in a cool, moist and shady site.
• Cow dung and chopped dried leafy materials are mixed in the proportion of 1:1 to 3:1 and are kept for
partial decomposition for 15 – 20 days.
• A layer of 15-20 cm of chopped dried leaves/grasses should be kept as bedding material at the bottom
of the bed.
• Beds of partially decomposed material of size 6x2x2 feet should be made .
• 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.
• Red earthworm (1500-2000) should be released on the upper layer of bed .
• Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms.
• Beds should be kept moist by sprinkling of water (daily) and by covering with gunny bags/polythene .
• Bed should be turned once after 30 days for maintaining aeration and for proper decomposition.
• Compost gets ready in 45-50 days.
• The finished product is 3/4th of the raw materials used.

13. 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 .
Products Obtained from Vermicomposting
Vermicompost
● Vermicompost is an odourless, dark brown biofertilizer which is rich in potential
microbes, micro and macro nutrients . Vermicompost is an excellent soil additive and act
as effective biofertilizer made up of digested compost.
Vermiwash
● Vermiwash is a brown colored leachate that is produced during the vermicomposting
process by the action of earthworms.
● It is a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients important in maintaining soil
health and increasing crop production and development.

14. Benefits
Soil
● Improves soil aeration
● Enriches soil with microorganisms
● Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil
and organic matter that the worm ingest
● Improves water holding capacity
● It helps to neutralize the pH of the soil.
Plant growth
● Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield
● Enriches soil with microorganisms

15. Economic
● Elimination of biowastes from the waste stream reduces
contamination of other recyclables collected in a single bin (a
common problem in communities practicing single-stream
recycling)
● Creates low-skill jobs at local level.
● Low capital investment and relatively simple technologies make
vermicomposting practical for less-developed agricultural
regions
Environmental
● Biowastes conversion reduces waste flow to landfills.
● Biogas and Biogas Slurry production.

16. Disadvantages of Vermicompost
● Odor- If not done properly, it releases a bad odor. Filling the compost bin
with green plants forms ammonia and produces the smell. Adding
carbon sources like paper helps to neutralize the smell.
● Time- It is a time-consuming process and usually takes 2-3 months for
completing the process
● Maintenance- Temperature needs to be maintained for better action by
earthworms. The bad odor attracts rodents and flies.

17. THANK YOU