015 Vermicompost

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015 VERMICOMPOST
Earthworms largely consume organic matter and
give out their excreta called as casts. these
casts along with other composted organic material
is called as vermicompost. Vermicompost today is
part of the organic farming package.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Crate/Tank/ bucket with a few holes at the base
or side outlet as drain
Gravel, sand, soil, earthworms, cattle-dung pats,
straw A few bricks to keep crate. Water
Outlet
Bricks
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Earthworms may be surface dwellers (epigeics),
intermediates (anecic), or burrowers
(endogeics). The epigeics largely are used in
vermicomposting though the anecics may also
contribute in the composting process.
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Several local species of earthworms (endemics)
can be used in the composting process. Local
earthworms prefer a little soil, so it is
better to have the bed prepared with some good
garden soil, as shown below.
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Several foreign species of earthworms (exotics)
are today used in the composting process. For
such exclusive composting earthworms set up the
unit as shown below.
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Keep the unit watering. It should not be wet but
should be moist. Start collecting vermicompost
as and when it is produced. Store with
moisture. You may even have 2 units one with
endemic species and one with exotic species, and
compare which produces more vermicompost. You
may add that compost to plants and see which
vermicompost is better the one from endemic
species or one from exotic species. You can also
have these units at home and feed the earthworms
with the vegetable peels from the kitchen. They
help in recycling biodegradable waste.