Definition
Vermicomposting is
the process of composting using various worms, usually Red wrigglers, White
worms and other Earthworms to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing
vegetable or food waste, bedding material and vermicast.
Suitable species
The most suitable
species most often used for composting is the red wriggler (fisenia fetida or eisenia
Andrei and lumbricus rubellus).other species used are:
1) Perionyx excavates
2) Eudrilus euginae
3) Lampito mauritii
Procedure
1)
For vermicomposting a large variety of bins are
commercially available, or a variety of adapted containers may be used. They
may be made of old plastic containers, wood or metal containers. The design of
a bin usually depends on where an individual wishes to store the bin and how
they wish to feed the worm. Bins need holes for aeration.
2)
The most common worms used in composting
systems, red worms feed most rapidly at temperatures of 15-25 degree Celsius.
They can survive at 10 degree Celsius. Temperature above 30 degree Celsius may
harm them. If worm bin is kept outside, it should be placed in a sheltered position
away from the direct sunlight and insulated against frost in winter. Green waste
can be added in moderation to avoid heating of bin.
3)
The worms at first should be left to get acclimated
to the bin for about a week and after that we may begin to add waste. One pound
of red worms can eat half a pound of waste daily, which translate to 3 to 4
pounds each week.
4)
Materials you can compost include fruit and
vegetable peels, skins and cores, egg shells rinsed off to remove inner
residues; used coffee grounds; and used tea bags; grains such as bread, cracker
and cereals. The compost gets ready in 3 months.
Warnings
1)
Never compost meat because it will turn rancid
and smell and can promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
2)
Red worms should be used in vermicomposting
instead of earthworms because the conditions inside the bin are too hot for
earthworms to survive.
Advantages
1) Soil
a) The compost improves soil aeration.
b) It enriches soil with micro organisms.
c) It improves water holding capacity.
d) Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times
higher than in soil and organic matter that the worm ingests.
e) Vermicompost attracts deep-burrowing earthworms present
in soil.
2) Solid waste management
a) It reduces waste flow to landfills in huge quantity and
thus promotes solid waste management.
b) Elimination of bio wastes from the waste stream reduces
contamination of other recyclables collected in a single bin.
c) Vermicomposting makes use of waste material both in urban
as well as rural areas to improve sanitary conditions.
d) It manages 70-75% waste in solid form.
3) Economic benefits
a) It creates low skill jobs at local level.
b) Low capital investment and relatively simple technologies
male vermicomposting practical for less developed agricultural regions.
c) Effective replacement of chemical fertilizers.
d) produces high quality compost (8-10 times better than
conventional compost)
e) It does not make use of electricity/energy.
f) Locally available materials can be used, which costs
less. It means vermicomposting can be done on low investment.
4) Vermicast is completely biodegradable.
5)It is user friendly, even handicapped person can do.
6) It is environment friendly as it does not pollute or
degrade the environment rather it preserves the environment to a greater
extent.
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