Vermicomposting and Vermiwashing have derived the attention of organic farmers and producers for a few years due to their environmental benefits. Earthworm plays an important role in the improvement of soil structure, soil properties, soil health, soil yield, decay of soil microbes, and quality of commodities.
VERMICOMPOST
Vermicompost is a type of compost which contains 1.20% nitrogen, 0.81% phosphorus, 0.34% potassium. It is a bio-fertilizer, which is made by the decay of plant remains, dead leaves, biotic waste, and decomposed by special earthworms. This is water-soluble. This compost is unscented, clean, and composed of micronutrients. This compost is made from non-toxic organic solids and liquid wastes available from cities, dairies, sugar and distillery units, pulp and paper mills, tanneries, fermentation industries, and food processing units.
VERMICOMPOST AS AN ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Vermicompost is the best organic fertilizer because it contains high nutrients as compared to inorganic fertilizers. It can boost the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil.
BENEFITS OF VERMICOMPOST
- Vermicompost can increase soil aeration
- Soil water absorption quality would be better after the use of vermicompost
- Soil pores would be open for circulation of air water and nutrients
- Soil PH level, organic content level, and electric conductivity will improve for better yield
- Plants growth will improve with the use of vermicompost
- Vermicompost contains beneficial fungi, bacteria, actionmytes, accelerate plant growth
- Starch in vermicompost benefits actionmytes which converts protein into amino acids
- This is water-soluble compost having cellulose so it exceeds rapid bacterial growth in soil
PROCEDURE OF VERMICOMPOST
It is a process of decay of organic matter into humic-rich compost by the action of earthworms. Cow dung, sheep dung, elephant dung, press mud, cane trashes, city solid wastes, poultry farm wastes, and other domestic wastes are brought to Vermicomposting plants when they are partially decomposed. The decayed matter is placed at 1-2 feet height and they are protected from Greenhouse shades to prevent them from direct sunlight. Water is sprayed at the heap by drip irrigation to maintain the optimum moisture of 50-55%. A special type of African Earthworm (Udrillus ugenous) is injected into the top layer. It starts acting on organic materials to give humic-rich Vermicastings. This process takes place to complete in 60-90 days. 1gm of the weight of worms collects 5gm of waste material per day. After completion of the process, harvesting the Earthworms from Vermicastings and earthworms are then injected in new top layers and reaped layer by layer
VERMIWASH
Vermiwash is a type of liquid bio-fertilizer, having brown color, odourless, acquired during the vermicomposting procedure of worms harvesting.
VERMIWASH AS AN ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Vermiwash is known as the storehouse of micronutrients, and microorganisms used as a foil spray to the crops. Its PH is 7.3-7.5. It contains different enzymes, plant growth hormones (IAA), Vitamins, Nutrients such as Nitrogen content 0.01-0.0001%, Phosphorus 1.70%, Potassium 26 ppm with excretory material of earthworms and their dead tissues, humic acid, etc. so it is considered as best organic fertilizer for plant growth. Vermiwash is acquired from municipal solid waste, plant remaining, plant nutrients, and soluble salts.
BENEFITS OF VERMIWASH
- Quick nutrient supplier to the plants
- Enhance soil physio-chemical properties
- Maintain soil fertility for a long term basis
- Improves soil texture, soil aeration, and soil tilth
- Reduces soil compaction
- Improves water holding capacity of soil and macro and micro-nutrients level
- The vermicosting process can be rapid after the use of vermiwash
- It can boost plant growth and development especially healthy roots growth
- It is also used as an organic pest and insect killer
PROCEDURE OF VERMIWASH
Vermiwash can be prepared in three ways:
- From vermicompost unit as a liquid byproduct
- 1kg adult worms released in 500ml Luke warm water and left for 2 months for distress
- The third process is layering and filtration of earthworms with a spray of distilled water at different layers of stone, sand, cow dung, and organic matter in a 20-liter plastic container. After 20 days vermiwash water is ready to be used. Mix 1 liter of vermiwash with 10 liters of water and sprinkled on leaves as a food supplement.
CONCLUSION
VERMICOMPOST and VERMIWASH are the new versions of bio-fertilizers and the best choice for organic farmers and producers because they can reduce thousand tons of solid waste into organic fertilizer and play an important role in the cleaning of planet earth.