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Home > News & Articles > Vermiculture: Meaning, Technique, Preparation, Methods, Process, Uses and Benefits
Updated on 06th June, 2023 , 9 min read
Vermiculture is a method that utilizes specific species of earthworms to transform organic waste into a valuable product called Vermicompost. This process involves the participation of worms in decomposing organic waste and converting it into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. The worms consume the decomposing organic material and excrete what is commonly known as worm manure.
Commonly used earthworm species in Vermiculture include Eisenia Andrei, Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus rubellus in temperate climates, and Pheretima Perionyx, Hawanya Excavatus, and Eudrilus Eugeniae in tropical regions.
To summarize, Vermiculture and Vermicomposting involve the cultivation of earthworms and their utilization in breaking down organic waste to produce nutrient-rich fertilizers.
Vermiculture is the scientific technique of cultivating worms or artificially producing worms to break down organic food waste into a nutrient-rich material. Vermicompost is the byproduct of earthworms devouring farmyard manure and roughage, as well as farm rubbish. The resulting vermicompost contains a high concentration of minerals and other plant growth-promoting chemicals, and it can supply vital mineral nutrients to promote and support plant growth.
The vermiculture procedure was first introduced in the 1970s by biology instructor Mary Appelhif. She developed the idea of employing red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) in both indoor and outdoor systems to transform kitchen waste into worm compost. That's how we obtained it since her plan succeeded.
In vermiculture, there are three main techniques for harvesting worms:
In order to sell worms on a small basis, farmers usually use this technique. With the use of hands, the worms are directly removed from the soil. The organic matter that includes earthworms is left on a flat surface and is exposed to the sun. Since earthworms are sensitive to light, it should be noted that as soon as they are in the presence of sunshine, they immediately descend below the surface. When the worms are visible, the harvester will then scrape off the top layer of organic material.
The technique of vermiculture is based on the fact that worms have a tendency to move to new areas in search of food or in response to light or dryness, both of which are damaging to worms. For harvesting migration procedures, individuals, therefore, prefer to utilize onion bags and screens.
In one of two ways, screens are used. The first option is the most basic and well-liked. The bottom of the screen is used to construct a box in this vermiculture procedure. Between 1/5′′ and 1/9′′ of mesh is needed. As a result, there are two choices for this vermiculture procedure.
The downward-migration method is very similar to the manual harvesting method. The worms are urged to crawl in this vermiculture method using light. The worms will migrate downward through the screen into a container that has already been weighed and is filled with damp peat moss, which is where the screening system differs from the manual procedure.
After all the worms have been put into the container through the screen, the organic compost that was formed in the box will be removed. Then, individuals typically add fresh, worm-infested compost to the box.
This vermiculture process will go on until the damp peat moss box is full and has achieved the necessary weight. With the harvester travelling from one box to the next, this technique of worm collection can also be set up in several locations simultaneously, saving time that would otherwise be required to wait for the worms to migrate.
The upward-migration vermiculture method is similar to the downward-migration approach except that it allows worms to make their way upward. However, in this case, the mesh-bottomed box will be placed right in the worm bed. Peat moss is added to the box first, and then the worm-attracting food is sprinkled on top. Among the components of this diet are fresh animal dung and coffee grounds. The box will then be taken out, and the weight will be calculated. After visually determining that the majority of the worms had moved into the organic material, it is carried out.
A mechanical harvester is used in this vermiculture process for capturing worms. A trommel screen, commonly referred to as a rotary screen, is used to separate materials. It is cylindrical and about 4 feet broad by 11 feet long. The cylinder's walls are made of screened materials with various mesh sizes.
The cylinder is powered by an electric motor. The gadget is positioned at an angle on the top side of the trommel. Following that, castings and worm beds are added by the mechanical harvester. As soon as the rotation starts, the worm castings will fall through the screen, and the worms will go via the trammel mechanism and into the wheelbarrow.
In order to make the soil efficient for agricultural use, earthworms play a vital role in the process of breaking down organic waste in the soil. In other words, earthworms recycle organic waste produced by various life forms to produce humus, improving the soil quality required for cultivation. In the vermiculture process, earthworms are separated into four kinds (ecotypes) based on their feeding and burrowing habits.
Farmers multiply earthworms by mixing large amounts of organic waste, including plant materials and animal manure, in a 1:1 ratio. After the substrate medium has been created, 40 to 50 different species of earthworms are released into it while being shielded from the environment.
The development of earthworms depends on routine maintenance. The temperature should be between 15 and 25 ° Celsius, with a moisture level of 80-90%.
Depending on this process and other variables, the earthworms can multiply up to 300 times in one to two months, at which point they can be harvested.
Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer produced through the process of vermicomposting. It involves using specific species of earthworms to break down organic waste materials, such as kitchen scraps and garden waste, into valuable compost. The worms consume the organic matter, digest it, and excrete nutrient-rich castings. This vermicompost is a highly beneficial fertilizer that improves soil fertility, enhances plant growth, and promotes sustainable gardening and agriculture.
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By - Nikita Parmar 2023-08-25 09:48:44 , 11 min readVermiculture is the practice of using earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost.
Vermiculture involves creating a suitable environment for earthworms to decompose organic waste through their feeding and digestion process.
Vermiculture helps in organic waste management, improves soil fertility, promotes plant growth, enhances water retention, and supports sustainable agriculture practices.
Common earthworm species used in vermiculture include Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, and Perionyx excavatus, among others.
Various organic materials such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, paper waste, and agricultural residues can be used as feedstock for vermiculture.
Setting up a vermiculture system involves creating a worm bed or bin, providing appropriate bedding material, introducing earthworms, and managing moisture and temperature levels.
The time required for vermicomposting varies depending on factors like the type of organic waste, temperature, and earthworm activity. Generally, it takes around 2-6 months.
Yes, vermicompost is suitable for a wide range of plants, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamental plants.
When properly managed, vermiculture should not produce strong odors. Foul smells can be minimized by maintaining the right moisture levels and avoiding overfeeding.
Yes, vermiculture can be done on a small scale at home using containers or worm bins. It is a convenient way to manage organic waste and produce nutrient-rich compost for your plants.
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