VERMICULTURE detail information

Vermiculture is the scientific process of culturing of worms in producing vermicompost. Vermicompost is nutrient rich worm castes. Worm castes is excreted product of worms which obtain in provides organic/biodegradable as a food source for worms. These vermicomposting method is very perfect for producing biofertilizers. Advantages and Disadvantages are mentioned here.

1. VERMICULTURE By Piyush Sharma

2. VERMICULTURE Vermi = Earthworms Vermiculture system is a scientific process of cultuvation of worms for the production of vermicompost.

3. Vermiculture Artificial rearing (cultivation) of worms. Waste (organic / biodegradable) reduction. Producing fertilizer. Upgrate or to enhance plant productivity. Enrich soil nutrients (macro / micro). Culture of worms for producing vermicompost.

4. VERMICOMPOST Practice of use of worms for converting organic (biodegradable) waste into usable compost known as VERMICOMPOST or Worm Casting. Worm cast -- excreata of worms Benefits of VERMICOMPOSTING :- Increase water holding capacity of soil. Reducing water loss. Supplies variety of macro and micro nutrients to soil. Reduce soil ersion (displacement of upper layer of soil).

5. EARTHWORMS suitable for vermicomposting There are 3 catagories of earthworms which are used in VERMICOMPOSTING

6. Epigeic Epigeic = on earth Surface dwelers (live above soil). Litter or dung dwellers Uniform colouration, dark pigmented. Small body size 10-30 cm. Strong muscles (faster movement). Risk of predators.

7. Epigeic No burrow formation. Examples :- Elisenia fetid, Elisenia-andrie, Allolobophoridella Elisenia, etc.

8. Endogeic Endogeic = within the Earth Live just below ground under soil. Construt horizontal and branched burrow. Colourless, translucent, light pigmented. Size varry from 5cm to 40cm. Weak muscles thus slower movement. Semi permanent burrow. Example -: Apporactodea caliginosa, Octolasion lacteum, etc.

9. Anecic Anecic = out of Earth Deep burrowers, vertically burrow upto 6 feet. For finding food source come to upper surface of the soil. Drak pigment. Large in size from 5 cm to 100+ cm. Permanent burrow Weak muscles thus slower movement. Example :- apporecotodea longa, Lumbricus friendi.

10. E ENDOGEIC A ANECIC EPIGEIC

11. Earthworm species from different environmental conditions INDIAN CONDITION Perionyx excavatus (prolific earthworm) Cant tolerate ubove 45°C Survive under tropical conditions EUROPEAN CONDITION Eisenia foetida ( Tiger worm) AFRICAN CONDITION Eudrillus eugeniae Also called as Night Crawllers Cant tollerte high T° C

12. Earthworm anatomy Segmented body :- 100-150 segments (ring) Each segment (muscle) called setae. Helps in movement. For forward and backward movement. Relaxation and contraction happened Classified in phyllum Annelida (little rings)

13. Earthworm digestive system Region includes :- Pharynx ( food swollowed) Esophagus (gland calciferous release calcium carbonate that rid calcium access in body. Gizzard (grinds stone particles) Crop (food stored just like stomach) Intestine (gland cells are present which release digestive fluid aid to disgestive system. Intestinal wall contains blood vessels where food absorption and transported to rest body.

14. Organic carbon 9.5–17.98%, Nitrogen 0.5–1.50%, Phosphorous 0.1–0.30%, Potassium 0.15–0.56%, Sodium 0.06–0.30%, Calcium and Magnesium 22.67–47.60 meq/100 g, Copper 2–9.50 mg/kg, Iron 2–9.30 mg/kg, Zinc 5.70–11.50 mg/kg, Sulfur 128–548 mg/kg

15. Protease: converts protein into amino acid. Amylase: converts starch into two molecules of glucose i.e. maltose. Cellulase: converts cellulose into glucose Chitinase: digest chitin of exoskeleton of insects. Lipase: converts fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

16. Methods of vermicomposting UPPER PIT METHOD DEEP PIT METHOD HDPE BED METHOD WINDROW (HEEP SHAPED) METHOD (The most commonly used methods)

17. 1 .UPPER PIT METHOD

18. 2. Deep pit method

19. 3. Hdpe bed method

20. Windrow (heep shaped) method

21. STEP ONE

22. Step two

23. Step three

24. Step four

25. Step five

26. Bedding material Absorbancy C:N Ratio Wheat straw Poor 100-150 Newspaper Good 170 Corn silage Medium - Good 33 - 43 Leaves Poor - Medium 40 - 80 Corn cobs Medium 40 - 120 Corn straw Poor 60 - 73

27. Precautionary Measures in Vermicomposting Compost Material:   The compost material must be purely organic. It must be devoid of materials like glass pieces, stones, ceramic pieces, plastic, etc. Loading:  The vermicompost heap must be filled to the right quantity. It should not be overloaded as overloading causes accumulation of gases and increase in temperature. This would affect their growth and population. Drainage Channel:  There should be a provision for drainage around the vermicompost heap so that there is no water accumulation. This is especially important during the rainy season.

28. Water Stress:  Both dry spell as well as too much water can kill the worms. Therefore, the compost heap must be sprinkled with water daily during summer. The beds must be moisture every alternate day during winter. Covering the Beds:  The vermicompost beds must not be covered with plastic sheets or tarpaulin. This would lead to accumulation of gases and also increase the heat inside the bed which can be detrimental to the earthworms. Protection from Pests:  No specific diseases can affect the earthworms. However, they must be protected from pests like rats, termites, birds, ants, etc. For protection from ants, termites and rats, the vermicompost site is sprayed with 5% neem based insecticide before the heap is filled and worms are introduced. The heap ca be covered with a net to protect the worms from predators like birds and pigs.

29. ADVANTAGES OF VERMICULTURE

30. V - non toxic E - ecofriendly R – well defined M – benificial for plants and microbes I – increases water holding capacity of soil C – create suitable for microbial growth U – antibody resistivity enhanced L – culture may be done under shelter T – worms multipies during composting by 300 times U – no added chemicals R – nutrient rich soil, soil texture, suitable for plants E – vermiculture may be used as small scale and large scale

31. Disadvantages of vermiculture Less nitrogen loss. Worms have to be separated from the compost before it is added to the garden. Not easily manage by home owners for large amounts of yard waste. Does not kill weed seeds. Produces nitrous oxide and methane- harmful greenhouse gases. Leachate may spread plant pathogens.

32. References for Pictures 1. www.wormpost.com/worms/anatomy_pic2.html 2. agent4.deviantart.com/journal/ 3. www.anselm.edu/.../genbios/surveybi04.html 4. www.kwic.com/.../species/insects/worms.htm 5. www.recyclezone.org.uk/home_az.aspx 6. http://www.naturewatch.ca/english/wormwatch/about/ecology.html REFERENCES 1.  www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/earthworms.htm 2.  Science Insights, Addison-Wesley, 2001 3.  Holt Life Science Textbook, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2001 4.  Biology- A Guide to the Natural World, David Krogh, 2005 5.  www.nysite.com/nature/fauna/erthworm.htm 6.  Carolina Tips, Using The Earthworm and Pig, Spring 2004, Volume 67, No. 1 7.  www.naturewatch.com/english/wormwatch/about/ecology.html

33. 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost 9. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_vermicompost.html 10. http://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/farm-based-enterprises/vermicomposting#section-1 11. http://www.krishisewa.com/articles/organic-agriculture/154-vermicompost.html?highlight=WyJ2ZXJtaWNvbXBvc3QiXQ 12. http://www.krishisewa.com/articles/organic-agriculture/81-organic-waste-recycle.html?highlight=WyJ2ZXJtaWNvbXBvc3QiXQ 13. http://www.krishisewa.com/articles/soil-fertility/305-vermicompost-production-practices.html?highlight=WyJ2ZXJtaWNvbXBvc3QiXQ 14. http://icar-ciwa.org.in/gks/Downloads/Technical%20Bulletins/Manual%20for%20Vermiculture%20Biotechnology.pdf 15. http://www.eawag.ch/fileadmin/Domain1/Abteilungen/sandec/E-Learning/Moocs/Solid_Waste/W4/Training_Material_Composting_Vermicomposting.pdf