1. Course Seminar
on
Role of Vermicompost in Crop Production
Speaker
Supervisor
Ramesh Kumar Singh
Dr. R. P. Singh
ID. No. A-1002
M.Sc. (Ag)
(Prof. & Head)
Department of Agronomy,
Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi-221 005
2. Skeletons of the seminar
Introduction
Objectives
Types of earthworms
Characteristics of vermicompost
Vermicomposting materials
Types of vermicomposting
Methods of vermicomposting
Rate of application
Advantages of vermicompost
Effect on soil properties
Effect on crop growth and yield
Conclusion
Future research needs
3. Introduction
The word vermicompost originated from Latin word
“vermes” which means “worms”
Vermicomposting is a method of preparing
enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one
of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes to
produce quality compost.
Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it
in digested form called worm casts. Worm casts are
popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in
nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil
micro flora and having properties of inhibiting
pathogenic microbes and promote PGPR.
4. Objectives
To improve soil physico-chemical properties
To accelerate microbial processes
To enhance nutrient availability
5. Types of earthworm
Epigeic (Greek for “upon the earth”)
eg- Eisenia foetida, Eudrilus eugeniae
Anecic (Greek for “out of the earth”)
eg- Lampito mauritii
Endogeic (Greek for “within the earth”)
eg- Octochaetona thurstoni
Card et al., 2004
6. Important characteristics of red earthworm
( Eisenia foetida )
Character
Eisenia foetida
Body length
3-10 cm
Body weight
0.4-0.6 g
Maturity
50-55 days
Conversion rate
2.0q/1500 worms/2 month
Cocoon production
1 in every 3 days
Incubation of cocoon
20-23 days
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram
7. Characteristics of vermicompost
A. Chemical
Characteristics
pH
Value
6.8
EC (dSm-1)
28.14
Nitrogen (%)
1.02
Phosphorus (%)
0.37
Potassium (%)
0.40
Calcium (%)
1.2
Magnesium (%)
0.38
Zinc (%)
0.038
Copper (%)
0.025
Organic carbon (%)
11.88
C: N Ratio
11.64
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram
8. Contd…
B. Physical
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Porous, having particle size of 0.2-2.2 mm
Dark brown in colour
Odourless
High CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity)
High water retention capacity
Vermicompost has electrically charged particles that improves
adsorption of plant nutrient in soil
7) Mucus type of substance coated on each particle increases aeration in
the soil, excellent water retention properties and improves drainage in
heavy soil
8) Contains sufficient moisture
C. Biological
1) Total Bacteria count (cfu g-1)
2) Fungi, Actinomycetes (cfu g-1)
:
:
more than 1010
102 - 1010
Gupta, 2002
9. Best conditions for vermicomposting
Condition
Value
References
Temperature
15-25 ºC
Georg , 2004
Moisture
80-90 %
Dominguez and
Edwards,1997
pH
5-9 (7.0-8.0 optimum)
Aeration
Good aerobiety
Density
1-4 kg earthworm/m² of bed
Georg , 2004
C: N ratio
48-170
OACC, manual
Elvira et al., 1996
11. Types of vermicomposting
Depending upon the amount of production and
composting structure. It is two type
1. Small-scale vermicomposting
2. Large-scale vermicomposting
12. Methods of vermicomposting
Method
Size
1.Bed method
2 x 0.6 x 0.3 (m)
2.Pit method
2 x 1 x 1 (m)
3.Cement rings
4.Commercial model
5.Polybag method
0.9 (dia.) x 0.3 (ht.) (m)
4.5 x 1.5 x 0.9 (m)
8 x 4 x 2.5 (ft.)
16. Steps in vermicomposting:-
Site selection
Make vermicomposting structure of appropriate size
Leave space 0.5 m
Level the base of pit and spread 15-20 cm dried material at bottom of the bed
Make 7-8 cm thick layer of partially/fully decomposed cow dung
Repeat above two steps until the height of filling in pit is 40-60 cm
Release earthworms on upper layer of bed
Water the pits periodically to keep contents moist
Cover the structure with gunny bag /leaves/polythene
Vermicompost ready in 50-60 days
Mature compost is grey to brown colour loose granular mass
Harvested vermicompost sieved before application
17. Rate of application
Crops
Rate
References
Field crops
5-6 t/ha
ICAR Research Complex for
NEH Region, Mizoram
Fruit crops
3-5 kg/plant
ICAR Research Complex for
NEH Region, Mizoram
Pots
100-220 g/pot
ICAR Research Complex for
NEH Region, Mizoram
Vegetable nursery
1 t/ha
www.ejournal.icrisat.org
Transplanted
vegetables
400-500 g/plant
www.ejournal.icrisat.org
Flowers
7.5-10 q/ha
www.ejournal.icrisat.org
18. Advantages of vermicompost
Rich in essential plant nutrients
Provides efficient conversion of organic wastes/crop/animal
residues
Improves soil physico-chemical properties
Reduces the incidence of pest and diseases
Contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxins,
gibberellins etc.
Prevents nutrient losses and increases the efficiency of chemical
fertilizers
A stable soil conditioner
Prevent soil degradation and enhance soil fertility status
Environmentally safe nutrient supplement for organic food
production
An easily adoptable low cost technology
Highly profitable venture, if properly taken
19. Table 1: Comparative average nutrient content of
vermicompost and other composts
Compost
Nutrient content (% )
N
P2O5
K2O
Vermicompost
1.6
2.2
0.7
Rural compost
1.2
1.1
1.5
Urban compost
1.2
1.9
1.5
Paddy straw compost
0.9
2.1
0.4
Maize stalk compost
1.1
1.3
1.0
Marwah et al., 2004
21. Table 2: Farm soil properties under organic farming and
chemical farming
Chemical and biological
Organic farming
(use of vermicompost)
Chemical farming
(use of chemical
fertilizers)
Available nitrogen (kg/ ha)
256.5
185.0
Available phosphorus (kg/ ha)
50.2
28.5
Available potash (kg/ ha)
489.5
426.5
Azotobacter (1000/gm of soil)
11.7
0.8
Phospho bacteria (100,000/kg of
soil)
Carbonic biomass (mg/kg of soil)
8.8
3.2
273.0
217.0
RAU, Bihar
Suhane, 2007
22. Table 3: Effect of vermicompost and vermi-wash on soil physicochemical properties of samba rice cultivation during initial
and final stages
Treatment
pH
Electrical
Conductivity
(dSm-¹)
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
Control
7.5±2.0
7.4±2.01
2.12±1.1
2.0±1.0
Vermicompost
7.4±0.01
7.1±0.01
1.02±1.0
Vermi-wash
7.3±2.0
7.2±1.02
2.1±1.1
Vermicompost
& vermi-wash
Water holding
capacity (%)
Final
Moisture content
(%)
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
41±0.02 44±1.02
34±2.10
39±2.0
36±1.02
41±1.1
1.01±1.0
43±0.01
47±1.0
36±1.0
41±1.0
39±1.1
44±1.0
2.0±1.1
42±1.0
46±1.1
35±1.1
40±1.1
38±1.0
43±1.1
7.0±0.03 7.0±0.03 1.01±0.01 0.02±0.01 45±0.3
49±1.0
39±0.03 44±1.0
41±1.0
46±1.0
Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
Initial
Porosity (%)
Tharmaraj et al ., 2011
23. Table 4: Effect of vermicompost and vermi-wash on soil chemical
properties of samba rice cultivation during initial and final
stages
Treatment
Nitrogen (ppm)
Phosphorous
(ppm)
Potassium
(ppm)
Calcium (ppm)
Magnesium (ppm)
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
Initial
Final
Control
55+2.1
61±2.0
64±2.0
69±2.0
180±2.0
184±2.1
1.0±1.0
1.5±1.0
1.0±1.0
1.5±1.0
Vermicompost
59±1.1
64±1.0
68±1.1
73±1.0
184±1.0
189±1.0
2.0±1.1
2.5±1.0
2.0±1.1
3±1.0
Vermi-wash
58±1.0
63±1.1
67±1.1
72±1.1
183±1.1
188±2.0
1.5±1.1
2.0±1.0
1.2±1.1
2.0±1.0
Vermicompost
& vermi-wash
63±1.1
69±0.2
72±1.0
77±1.0
188±1.
0
195±1.
0
3.2±1.0
5.0±1.0
3.1±1.1
4.0±0.1
Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
Tharmaraj et al ., 2011
24.
25. Table 5: Effect of vermicompost, earthworm and chemical
fertilizers on growth and yield attributes of wheat
Treatments
Shoot
length(cm)
Ear length
(cm)
Root length
(cm)
Wt. of 1000
grains (g)
Grains/
Ear
Vermicompost (@ 2.5 t/ha)
83.71
13.14
23.51
39.28
32.5
Earthworms (1000 Nos.)
67.83
9.85
18.42
36.42
30.0
NPK (90:75:60) (Reduced Dose)
+ VC (Full Dose) (2.5 t/ha)
88.05
14.31
29.71
48.02
34.4
NPK (120:100:80) (Full Dose)
84.42
13.82
24.12
40.42
31.2
Control
59.79
8.91
12.11
34.16
27.7
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Sharma, 2001
26. Table 6: Effect of vermicompost on yield of farmed wheat
crops upon successive applications over 4 years
Treatment
Input /ha
Yield (q/ha)
Control
(No Input)
15.8
Vermicompost
20 q/ha (1st Year Farming by VC)
35.3
Vermicompost
20 q/ha (2nd Year Farming by VC)
36.2
Vermicompost
20 q/ha (3rd Year Farming by VC)
37.3
Vermicompost
20 q/ha (4th Year Farming by VC)
38.8
NPK (120:60:40) kg/ha
35.4
Chemical Fertilizers
RAU (Noorsarai Campus), Bihar
Singh et al., 2009
29. Table 9: Effect of vermicompost, cattle dung compost and
chemical fertilizers on growth & yield of wheat
Rajendra Agriculture University, Bihar
Suhane et al., 2008
30. Table 10: Growth performances of corn plants influenced by
earthworms (with feed), vermicompost and conventional
compost
Treatment
Height (cm)
After 6 weeks
After 14 weeks
(A)-Earthworm(50 Nos.)&Feed material(400g)
57
82
(B)-Conventional compost
70
78
104
135
(C)-Vermicompost
Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Sinha et al., 2007
31. Conclusion
The effect of vermicompost on plants are not solely
attribute to the quality of mineral nutrition, but also
provides growth promoting substances such as PGRs
(GA3, IAA, cytokinin), enzymes (phosphatase), vitamins,
antibiotics in traces.
Application of vermicompost+vermiwash has long term
effect on physico-chemical and biological properties of
soil, if it is solely applied in soil, it increases the beneficial
microbial activity as well as microbial biomass .
The integrated application of vermicompost with chemical
fertilizer produced maximum no. of yield attributing
characters which results more yield than sole application
of chemical fertilizers or organic manure.
32. Future Research Needs
Needs for assessments and efficient utilisation of native species
for litter decomposition and nutrient recycling etc.
Improve complementary interaction between native and exotic
species
Focused on large scale operating system under adverse weather
condition
Better bed design to minimise operation problems:
Inadequate drainage
Difficulties in applying wastes to the beds
Labour and time consuming process for wastes processing
