What is vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is a method of preparing nutrients enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one of the easiest methods to recycle organic matter and agricultural wastes into a super fertilizer that provides plants a happy life. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casting. The casts are rich in nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes.
Vermicompost Meaning
To define vermicompost- Vermicompost is stable, fine granular organic manure, which enriches soil quality by improving its physicochemical and biological properties. It is highly useful in raising seedlings and for crop production. Vermicompost is becoming popular as a major component of organic farming system.
Vermicomposting materials .
Decomposable organic wastes such as animal dung, kitchen waste, agricultural residues and forest litter are commonly used as composting materials. In general, cow dung manure is most commonly used raw material for vermicomposting.
About Worms Used In Vermicomposting
There are different species of earthworms viz. Eisenia fetida (Red earthworm), Eudrilus eugeniae (night crawler), Perionyx excavatus etc. In temperature areas such as India Red earthworm is preferred because of its capacity to survive in high temperatures and also because of its high multiplication rate and thereby converts the organic matter into vermicompost within 45-50 days.
Eisenia Fetida it is a surface feeder it converts organic materials into vermicompost from top. Important characteristics of red earthworm (Eisenia fetida)
Characters Eisenia fetida
Body length : 3-10cm
Body weight : 0.4-0.6g
Maturity : 50-55days
Conversion rate : 2.0 q/1500worms/2 months
Cocoon production : 1 in every 3 days
Hatching of cocoon : 20-23days
Nutrient content of Vermicompost
The level of nutrients in compost depends upon the source of the raw material and the species of earthworm. A fine worm cast is rich in N P K besides other nutrients. Nutrients in Vermicompost are in readily available form and are released within a month of application.
Parameters Content
pH 6.8
OC% 11.88
OM% 20.46
C/N ration 11.64
Total Nitrogen (%) 1.02
Available N (%) 0.50
Available P (%) 0.30
Available K (%) 0.24
Ca (%) 0.17
Mg (%) 0.06
Advantages of Vermicompost :
It provides efficient conversion of organic wastes/crop/animal residues.
It is a stable and enriched soil conditioner.
It helps in reducing population of pathogenic microbes.
It helps in reducing the toxicity of heavy metals.
It is economically viable and environmentally safe nutrient supplement for organic food production.
It is an easily adoptable low cost technology.
Application of Vermicompost depend upon the type of crop grown, Size of plant in the field/nursery. For fruit crops, it is applied in the tree basin. It is added in the pot mixture for potted ornamental plants and for raising seedlings. Vermicompost should be used as a component of integrated nutrient supply system.
Crops Dose/rate
Small pots 3-7 inch: 150-200gms per plant
Medium pots 7-12 inch: 250-500gms per plant
Large pots 12> inch: 500-1000 gms per plant
Big plants : 1-2 kg
Fruit bearing trees: 5-10kg
Lawns :1-2kg per sq. Meter
Vegetable gardening : 40% of the medium
Field crop : 5-6tonne/hectare
Benefits of Vermicompost in Urban Gardening
Enhances the plant and roots growth
Increases the porosity
Improves water retention and aeration.
Increases microbial activity in soil
Improves soil quality
Contains Anti-fungal properties
Provides high nutrients to the plants and garden
Benefits of Vermicompost in Organic Farming
It improves the soil quality and makes it more fertile
Provides proper aeration and lightens the soil
Improves nitrogen content in the soil
Improves organic matter for high crop yields
Buy Vermicompost Near you
Rates of vermicompost online starts as low as 30rs/kg and goes as high as 200rs/kg including free delivery.
Price of vermicompost online is high due to the High shipping charges of providing door step delivery, Due to uncertainty from where the order comes from prices are set at the higher end.
Offline Rates of Vermicompost varies from 10rs/kg to 50rs/kg depending on the packing size and branding, which is generally excluding delivery.
You can buy best quality vermicompost manufactured bu sunratnam Agro Farm online and offline at affordable rates. To buy online visit www.safoos.in .
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