VERMICULTURE AND VERMICOMPOSTING

September 28, 2012 Brgy. San Isidro, City of Koronadal

Prepared by Ramie L. Huesca Agricultural Technologist

VERMICOMPOSTING
Defined as the process of producing compost or organic fertilizer through the action of the microbial activity and the action of earthworm.

 The African Night Crawler Earthworm (Eudrilus eugenae). This worm breaks down farm waste, aged animal manure converting this into the product called CASTING.

 The waste comes from the yards, farms or even households, this includes leaves, grass cuttings, vegetable trimmings-all that are biodegradable and suitable for worm food.

VERMICAST

This material appears as fine granules with a sweet and earthy smell. The granular formation of the casting is due to the worms natural mucous that binds the nutrients together that will affect the slow release of the nutrients that will result to the advantage of the plants.

VERMICAST OR VERMICOMPOST
Either of these products contain even more nutrients than that of conventional compost. Also the plant hormone AUXIN is present. Which is a substance naturally produced in a actively growing plant, that regulates aspects of plant growth and development of stem tip, leaves, roots, side branches, and fruits.

African Night Crawler Earthworm Production & Characteristics

It comes from the Latin word Vermis which means Worms. The process of propagating earthworms is called Vermiculture. This creature has a flat belly and appears reddish in color. It grows 1-3g at full maturity, which is just about the size of a drinking straw.

African Night Crawler Earthworm Characteristics Contd

They are Hermaphrodite having both male and female sex organs, but it cannot impregnate itself. When two worms mate together they both get pregnant.
Sexually mature worms breed every week and produce 2 to 10 worms per cocoon capsules.

African Night Crawler Earthworm Characteristics Contd

An indication of sexually matured worm is the Yellow band known as Clitellium that appears around the body. A kilo of these worms can devour a kilo of farm waste in about one day given the correct environment. They produce quickly under favorable conditions doubling their population in about a month.

Vermicomposting/Vermiculture for sustainable agriculture

-it defines as something that includes:

Environmental Worms are not considered as pests Eats only what is waste from the farm Improves soil fertility Means of producing organic fertilizer Lessens the need to use toxic chemicals

Vermicomposting / Vermiculture for sustainable agriculture contd

Economic Generate income through the sale of worms Generate income through the sales of organic fertilizers Gradually eliminates the excessive use of high priced inorganic fertilizer Gradually eliminates the cost of inputs (inorganic fertilizer and chemicals) Increase income per unit area

Vermicomposting/Vermiculture for sustainable agriculture contd

Social Health Availability of chemical free foods Prevention of contaminating potable and irrigation water sources Reduce health related problems

Advantages of Vermicomposting
Environmentally friendly-since earthworms feeds on anything that is biodegradable, vermicomposting then partially aids in garbage disposal problem. No imported inputs-worms are now locally available and the materials for feeding are abundant in the locality as market wastes, grasses, used papers and farm waste. Labor extensive (Mechanization possible) Highly profitable- Both the worms and casting are saleable.

Benefits of Vermicomposts/Casting on the Soil

Increase moisture and nutrient retention of the soil Improves aeration and root penetration Reduces crusting of soil surface Micronutrients are added Increases the number of beneficial microorganisms

Why do we need to compost?

The soil is like nursing mothers who feeds their child with their own milk. Every time a mother feeds her baby she gives off something from her for her baby to survive. In order to compensate the nutrients she has given away, she needs to take nutritional supplements to maintain a health body so that she may continue to nurse her child.

Why do we need to compost? Contd

It is in the same way that the soil feeds the plants. Every time we plant anything we take off the soils nutrients. The nutrients that we have taken away from the soil through plants should be replaced in order to sustain mans existence.

Why do we need to compost? Contd

If we do not replace, we resort to the use of inorganic fertilizer that over time makes the soil more acidic. The aim of organic farming is to RESTORE or to maintain the natural fertility of the soil. The natural principle is that fertilizer is for the soil and not for the plant.

The Process of Vermicomposting

Requirements Site Selection: a. It must be shaded (ANC is shy to light) b. Not a water logged or flood prone area c. Accessible to water supply d. Accessible to compost materials e. Well ventilated

The Process of Vermicomposting

Housing Type
Box Type Worm Bin Iron Bars with plastic lining Old plastic bin Hollow blocks as nonpermanent structure with plastic lining Drum Type with canopy

Kinds of Substrates
Nitrogen Rich materials C:N Ratio Food/Vegetable waste 15:1 Fresh manure 14:1 Grass 19:1 Rotted manure 20:1 Madre de cacao (legumes) 25:1 Renzonii 25:1 Ipil-ipil 25:1 Flemengia 25:1 Mungo (straw and pulp) 25:1 Katuray Leaves 25:1 Peanut 25:1 Assorted Legumes 25:1 Fruit waste 35:1

Kinds of Substrates Contd

Carbon Rich materials Corn stalk Dried leaves Rice straw Sugar cane Paper Saw dust C:N Ratio 60:1 60:1 80:1 150:1 170:1 500:1

Kinds of Substrates Contd

The three basic requirements for aerobic composting are: the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the organic materials, water and oxygen. The C:N ratio refers to the amount of carbon (carbohydrate) and nitrogenous materials to be composted required by the microorganism for energy and growth. Water and Oxygen are also needed by the organism for development.

Decomposition Process
Anaerobic: The compost materials are covered with plastic sheet to speed up decomposition initiated by the anaerobic bacteria. This stage may last for two weeks. The temperature of the substrate can reach up to 50-70 Celsius. The hotter the temperature the faster the decomposition will be.

Decomposition Process
Aerobic: When the temperature of the compost pile goes down to the ambient condition, the plastic cover is removed. The next step is known as aerobic stage. Live earthworm can now be stocked in the compost pile. Stocking of Worms: One should set out objectives before stocking is initiated. Is it for production of fertilizer of for reproducing worms.

Worm bin 1m x 2m x 8inches

If you stock 300 worms and after 5 months you will be harvesting 4000 worms and 250kgs of casting. If you stock 2000 worms and be harvested after 2 months you will be harvesting 3000 worms and 250kgs of casting.

Maintenance of worm bin

Test humidity by squeezing a handful of substrate, 5-7 drops of water indicates 6080% humidity Protect worm from natural predator birds, frogs, chicken, mice, and pigs loves to eat worms. Do not put inappropriate materials in the compost pile meat scraps or dead animals will invite unwanted predators

Harvesting
Pick up the worm by hand and put them into a container to transfer to the new bin thereafter. You can then select a method from the following techniques:
In the shade, form the compost in such a manner that it looks like a pyramid. After a day, you can harvest the top portion easily because the worms have gone to the bottom of the pile. Move of the compost all to one side and fill the emptied portion with new substrate. After five days all worms have transferred to the newly added material. Harvest the casting left by the worms in the older doubled portion.

Drying and Storing

Air drying is the only recommended method of drying the casting. Sun drying it not recommended because it can destroy the quality of the fertilizer due to loss of nitrogen content. It can be stored at 30% moisture content in plastic bag. Store in cool place away from direct sunlight.

Species of Earthworm suitable for Vermiculture

1.Eudrilus Fetida 2.Dendrobaena Veneta 3.Lumbricus rubellus 4.Eudrilus eugeniae 5.Perionyx excavatus 6.Perionyx hawayana

The Earthworm says: Thanks for taking good care of me, and when you die I will take care of you. Good Day and Happy Composting! Save Mother Earth!

Vermi-Tea
30 Liter Capacity Brewing hours : 48-72 hours (2-3 days) Brewing materials : 2Kg of vermicasts 30L of water Food for microbes : 1k of brown sugar Mixture : 1L concentrated compost tea per 15L water (good for one knapsack sprayer)