What Is Vermiculture and Why Is It Important?
Vermiculture is a technique based on utilizing some species of earthworms to convert organic waste into Vermicompost which is again, the product of decomposition by various worms. It is a practice of harvesting worms that take part in decomposing organic waste and turning it into nutrient-rich fertilizer. The worms consume the decomposing organic material and flush it out of their system, which is referred to as worm manure.
Earthworms that are commonly used in Vermiculture are, Eisenia Andrei, Eisenia fetida, and Lumbricus rubellus horticultural in temperate climates and Pheretima Perionyx Hawanya Excavatus and Eudrilus Eugeniae and in the tropical areas.
In short, Vermiculture and Vermicomposting are the cultivation of earthworms and the use of earthworms to decompose organic wastes into nutrient-rich fertilizers.
Vermiculture Meaning
In general terms, Vermiculture means the cultivation of earthworms in order to use them to convert organic waste to nutrient and beneficial microorganism rice fertilizer. It allows us to grow organically rich compost year-round. Vermiculture was first introduced in the 1970s by a biology teacher, Mary Appelhif. She developed the idea of using red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) for composting in indoor and outdoor systems to convert kitchen waste to worm compost.
Vermiculture Techniques
There are three major techniques in Vermiculture for harvesting worms. These are
Manual
Migration
Mechanical
Manual Method of Harvesting
This method is generally used by framers for small-scale businesses of selling worms. The worms are harvested from the soil directly by using hands. The organic material which contains earthworms is kept on a flat surface and exposed to sunlight. It should be noted that earthworms are sensitive to light, so once they are exposed to sunlight they dive below the surface. The harvester will then remove the organic layer above and once the worms are seen they are harvested.
Migration Method of Harvesting
This method takes advantage of the earthworm’s tendency to migrate to a new location for food and for this reason, onion bags and screens are used for harvesting. At the bottom surface of the screen, a box will be constructed where the worms would be collected. The migration method is carried out in two ways.
The downward migration method is where the worms are forced to move downwards in the organic material with the use of light. They will go through the screen mesh and be collected in the container box below which is filled with peat moss. The process is repeated until the required quantity of worms has been achieved. It is a time-saving process and can be seen in multiple locations.
In the upward migration method, the mesh bottom of the box would be replaced by a worm bed. The box will be filled with peat moss and food which attracts the worms. Generally, coffee grounds and manure from fresh cattle are used as food for worms and they will move towards it and be collected in the box.
Mechanical Method of Harvesting
In this method, a mechanical harvester is used to collect worms. It is a trammel screen which is called a rotary screen that is used to separate materials. It is around 11ft long and 4ft in diameter and has a cylindrical shape. The walls of the cylinder are made of screening materials with different sized meshes. The cylinder is powered by an electric motor. The device would be set at an angle at the top side of the trammel. After that, the castings and the worm beds are added. When the rotation starts the castings of the worms will drop through the screen and the worms will move across the trammel device and enter into the wheelbarrow.
Vermiculture Process
The method used by farmers to multiply earthworms is by mixing high amounts of organic wastes, including the plant materials, cattle dung in a proportion of 1:1. Once the substrate medium has been made, around 40-50 earthworm species are released into the medium and it is protected from various environmental factors.
Regular maintenance is important for the growth of earthworms. The temperature should be between 15 to 25-degree centigrade and the moisture level should be at 80-90%.
Within one to two months, the earthworms can multiply up to 300 times relying on this process and factors affecting the process, and then they can be harvested.
Materials Required for Vermicomposting:
Crop residues
Vegetable waste
Cattle dung
Dried leaves
Waste from agro-industries
A suitable container
Shed
Pits
Water supply
Earthworms
Preparation of Vermicomposting
A container with suitable dimensions is chosen and a worm bed I made at the pit of the container. This worm bed consists of old papers, sugar cane trash, paddy husk, and coir waste. A thin layer of soil is spread over this mixture and the humidity is maintained at 40-45%
A mix of organic waste, slurry from a biogas plant and cattle dung is spread over the bed and it is kept for half digestion for a period of two weeks. During this time, the temperature of the bedding will rise to 50-55 degrees centigrade. A 5-10% neem cake is added to eliminate harmful microorganisms.
After the temperature is cooled down to 30 degrees, the earthworms are introduced. Around 500 earthworms are introduced for 100 kgs of organic material.
The bed is covered with straw and jute clothes to protect the worm. The temperature is maintained at 20-30 degrees centigrade and the moisture content is kept at 45-50%. (pH: 6.5-7)
The compost will be ready in around 60 days and after it is ready the worms are separated by spreading the Vermicompost on a plastic sheet in a heap under sunlight. As earthworms are sensitive to sunlight, they will move to the bottom of the heap and the top layer of the compost can be removed.
Vermiculture Facts:
Vermicompost is eco-friendly and it can help in reducing landfill
The worm liquid at the bottom of the worm bin is great for the growth of garden plants. It is also known as worm tea.
Worm casting can improve soil fertility by enriching it with nutrients.
Worms have no eyes, no ears, and 5 hearts.
They breathe through their skin.
Significance of Vermiculture
Vermiculture is the culture of earthworms. It is a beneficial way of improving the fertility of the plant and soil. Vermiculture mainly focuses on the breeding of worms so as to increase their population. Vermicompost is then prepared to promote the growth and development of crops. It also causes disease in plants along with increasing water retention and the porosity of the soil. This greatly reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages organic matter.
FAQs on Vermiculture: Methods, Steps, and Benefits
1. What is vermiculture?
Vermiculture is the scientific process of cultivating earthworms to decompose organic waste, converting it into a nutrient-rich, high-quality organic fertiliser known as vermicompost. This process harnesses the natural digestive capabilities of earthworms to create a valuable soil amendment, which is also referred to as worm manure, worm humus, or worm castings.
2. What are the common methods for vermicomposting?
There are two primary methods for setting up a vermicomposting system:
- Bed Method: This involves creating raised beds of organic matter, typically on the ground with a simple base. It's an easy and popular method for both small-scale and large-scale operations.
- Pit Method: In this method, organic waste is collected in cemented pits dug into the ground. While it can save space, it often faces challenges like poor aeration and waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the earthworms.
3. What are the essential steps to start a vermicompost bin?
The key steps to start vermicomposting are:
- Prepare a Container: Choose a suitable container (a bin or a pit) and ensure it has proper drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
- Create Bedding: Add a 3-4 inch layer of moist bedding material like shredded newspaper, cardboard, coco-peat, or dried leaves. This provides a habitat for the worms.
- Introduce Earthworms: Add a suitable species of composting worms, such as Eisenia fetida (red wigglers).
- Add Organic Waste: Introduce a small amount of organic kitchen scraps (like fruit and vegetable peels) by burying them under the bedding.
- Maintain Conditions: Regularly add food scraps and ensure the bin remains moist (but not waterlogged) and well-aerated. The compost will be ready to harvest in 2-3 months.
4. What are the main benefits of using vermicompost for soil and plants?
Vermicompost offers significant benefits for both soil health and plant growth:
- It improves soil structure, aeration, and porosity, reducing soil compaction.
- It enhances the water-holding capacity of the soil, making it more drought-resistant.
- It enriches the soil with essential macronutrients and micronutrients in a readily available form for plants.
- It introduces beneficial microorganisms that help suppress plant diseases and pests.
- It promotes robust root growth, leading to healthier plants and increased crop yields.
5. How is vermicompost different from regular compost?
While both are excellent soil conditioners, vermicompost differs from regular compost in several key ways:
- Process: Vermicompost is created by the digestive action of earthworms (a cold process), whereas regular compost is produced by microbial decomposition, which often generates heat (a hot process).
- Nutrient Content: Vermicompost is generally more concentrated in nutrients and contains plant growth hormones and enzymes produced by the worms, which are absent in regular compost.
- Structure: The final product of vermicompost is finer, has a uniform texture, and a higher microbial activity compared to the more variable texture of regular compost.
- Time: Vermicomposting can be a faster process than traditional composting under optimal conditions.
6. Why are specific earthworm species like Eisenia fetida preferred for vermiculture?
Specific species like Eisenia fetida (Red Wiggler) or Eudrilus eugeniae (African Nightcrawler) are preferred because they are epigeic worms. This means they are surface dwellers that thrive in decaying organic matter rather than deep in the soil. Their key characteristics for vermiculture include a high rate of reproduction, a voracious appetite for organic waste, and tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions found in a compost bin.
7. What types of organic waste should be avoided in a vermicompost bin?
While earthworms can process many organic materials, some items should be avoided to maintain a healthy vermicompost system. These include:
- Oily or Greasy Foods: These can create anaerobic conditions and attract pests.
- Meat and Dairy Products: They can produce foul odours and attract unwanted animals and vermin.
- Citrus and Onions: High amounts of acidic foods like citrus peels, onions, and garlic can create an overly acidic environment that harms the worms.
- Treated or Glossy Paper: These materials may contain chemicals that are toxic to earthworms.
8. How does vermiculture contribute to sustainable agriculture and waste management?
Vermiculture plays a crucial dual role in sustainability. For waste management, it provides a simple, low-cost method to divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane gas emissions. For sustainable agriculture, it produces an organic fertiliser that reduces the need for synthetic chemical fertilisers. This improves soil health, conserves water, reduces pollution from agricultural runoff, and promotes a closed-loop system where waste is transformed into a valuable resource.
