With the increasing population in the world, crop productivity has become a major need. But, majority of agricultural practices are damaging environment adversely. But, such undesired effects can be reduced. How...?
Researchers are searching for a technology that should be cost effective, ecological sustainable with no adverse effects on environment and also beneficial to the society.
These undesired outcomes due to practices of increasing crop productivity can be reduced by the technology called Vermiculture Technology. “Vermi” means Worms or Earthworms and, “Culture” means Farming. Thus, vermiculture is farming with earthworms.
Vermiculture Technology is the technology in which non-toxic organic residues of plant and animal wastes are used as substrates to produce vermicasting. And organic wastes are converted into usable form of nutrients by Bio-oxidation and stabilization with the synergism of earth worms and microorganisms.
What is Vermicasting or Vermicomposting?
Vermicastings or Worm Castings are organic form of fertilizer produced from earthworms. Essentially, worm caste manure is earthworm waste, or also called as worm poo. These creatures eat through compost, so their waste creates an optimal soil enricher. Vermicastings resembles the shape of football, these small particles improve soil aeration and drainage, and also increase the water retention in the soil.
What is the Significance of Vermicomposting?
Vermicompost has a great potential as plant growth media, and also serve as a soil conditioner. It is rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. Earthworms consume various organic wastes and reduce the volume by 40-60%. Each earthworm weighs about 0.5 to 0.6 g, eats waste equivalent to its body weight and produces caste equivalent to nearly 50% of waste it consumes in a day. These worm castings have been analysed for chemical and biological properties. The moisture content of castings ranges between 32 and 66%, and the pH is around 6.0-7.0. The vermicastings contain higher percentage of both macro and micro nutrients than the garden compost.
How & Why Vermicomposting is Better than Traditional Composting?
Vermi Compost has many positive outcomes over traditional or any other type of composting. Vermicomposting uses the power of worms to break down the organic matter quickly, and regular hot composting involves throwing of organic waste into a bin; the material starts to break down using an aerobic process.
If looking at the differences, it can be explained in short as-
1. Vermicompost has more nutrients in compare to any other traditional compost.
2. Preparation of vermicompost requires less space in compare to any other compost.
3. Fine structure compost can be prepared using vermiculture technology in compare to any
other type of composting.
4. Almost all the types of composting are done outdoors, but vermicomposting can be done both indoors and outdoors, and that too with less work requirement.
Overall, Vermicomposting gives better results as the worms brings more microorganism diversity and vermicompost contains more plant growth hormones. And vermicompost is richer in humus than any other regular compost. Most studies also agreed that combining pre-composting and vermicomposting gives even better and faster results.
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