VERMICOMPOSTING
Is simply defined as the process of producing compost or organic fertilizer through the action of the earthworms.
The key to the whole process is the hungry “African Night Crawler Earthworm” (Eudrilus euginae). This worm breaks down farm wastes, aged animal manure, converting this into a product called “CASTING” or “BLACK GOLD”
These waste comes from the yard, farms or even in the households These includes, leaves, grass cuttings, vegetable trimmings – all that are biodegradable and suitable food for worms.
* Vermicasts appear to be fine granules with sweet and earthy smell. The granular formation of the castings is due to the worms’ natural mucous that binds the nutrients together that will effects the slow release of nutrients that will result to the advantage of plants.
* Verrmicasts or vermicompost contain even more nutrients than conventional compost, making it a perfect soil fertility booster for plants. It also contains auxin - a naturally occurring hormone that modifies plant growth especially on root, bud and fruit formation.
BENEFITS OF VERMICOMPOSTING
i. ENVIRONMENT
a. Worms are not considered as pest
b. Eats only what is wasted in the farmc. Improves soil fertility
d. Means of producing organic fertilizer
e. Decreases the use of toxic chemicals
ii. AGRICULTURE
1. Decreases input costs
2. Ameliorate depleted soil3. Production of organic fertilizer
4. Minimizes if not totally avoided the use of toxic chemicals
5. Enhances plant growth
6. Increase production / income
iii. ECONOMIC
a. Generate income through the sales of worms
b. Generate income through the sales of organic fertilizerc. Gradually eliminates the excessive use of high priced inorganic fertilizer
d. Gradually eliminates the costs of inputs (inorganic fertilizer and chemicals)
e. Increase income per unit area
SOCIAL HEALTH
a. Consumption of chemical-free foodstuff
b. Contamination of potable and irrigation water can be preventedc. Reduce health related problems
WHY WE NEED TO COMPOST
The soil is like a nursing mother who feeds her child with her own milk. Every time she feeds her baby, she gives off something from herself for her baby to survive. In order to compensate the nutrients she has given away, she needs to take nutritional supplements to maintain a healthy body so that she may continue to nurse her child.
It is in the same way that the soil feed the plants. Every time we plant anything, we take off the soil’s nutrients. The nutrients that we have taken away from the soil through plants should be replaced in order to sustain man existence.
If we do not replace, we result to the use of inorganic fertilizer that make the soil more acidic.
The aim of organic farming is to restore or to maintain the fertility of the soil.
The natural principle is that fertilizer is for the soil and not for the plant.
THE CHALLENGE
People have definitely used up and abused the world’s resources throughout the generations. Statistics shows that:
PHILIPPINES has only 30 million hectares
We have still years to turn this situation around before we completely lose our soil and soil fertility, and thus threatening our survival. We can do something about it and the time is now.
THE AFRICAN NIGHT CRAWLER EARTHWORM
It comes from the Latin Word “vermis” which means worms. The process of propagating earthworms is called vermiculture.
This worm has a flat belly and appears reddish in color. It grows up to 1 gm only for a mature worm, just about the size of a drinking straw.
They are hermaphrodite having both male and female sex organ but it cannot impregnate itself. But when two worms come together, they both get pregnant.
Sexually mature worms breed every week and produce 2 to 10 worms per cocoon capsule.
An indication of a sexually mature worm is the yellow band known as clitellium that appears around the body.
A kilo of these worms can devour a kilo of farm waste in about a day, given the correct environment. They produce quickly under favorable condition, doubling their population in about a month or so.
THE PROCESS OF VERMICOMPOSTING
SITE SELECTION
1. It must be shaded (they shy with strong light)
2. Flood-free3. Accessible to water supply and source of compost materials
4. Well ventilated
HOUSING
1. Box type (wood or plastic container)
2. Worm bin1 (cemented floor and wall with canopy)
3. Worm bin2 (cemented floor and wall without canopy)
4. Iron bars with plastic lining
5. Old plastic basin
6. Hallow blocks as non-permanent structure with plastic lining
7. Drum type with canopy
KINDS OF SUBTRATES
a. Rich in Nitrogen
Madre de cacao Renzonii
Ipil-ipil Flemengia
Mungo Any legumes
Katuray leaves All animal manure Peanut
b. Rich in carbon
Grass Saw dust
Rice straw Coco dustCorn stalk paper
Wood etc.
DECOMPOSITION PROCESS
Anaerobic
The compost material is covered with plastic sheet to speed up decomposition initiated by the anaerobic bacteria. This stage may last for one to two weeks. The temperature of the substrates can reach 50-70 degrees celcius. The hotter the temperature the faster the decomposition will be.
Aerobic
When the temperature of the compost pile goes down to ambient condition, the plastic cover is removed. The next step is known as aerobic stage. Live earthworm can now be stock at the pile.
STOCKING OF WORMS
One should set objective before stocking of worms be done. Is it for worm reproduction of fertilizer production?
A worm bin of 1m x 2m x 8in
If you stock 300 worms and be harvested after 5 months you will be harvesting 4,000 worms and 250 kgs. of castings.
If you stock 2,000 worms and be harvested after 2 months you will be harvesting 3,000 worms and 250 kgs. of castings.
MAINTENANCE OF WORM BIN
Test humidity – by squeezing a fistful of substrate, 5-7 drops of water indicates 60-80% humidity.
Protect worm from natural predators – birds, frogs, chicken, mice and pigs love to eat worms.
Do not put unwanted materials to the pile - meat scraps or dead animals that give unwanted odor and may attract predators
HARVESTING
Pick the worm by hand and put them on container and transfer them to a new bin thereafter. You can select and do the following harvesting techniques:
In the shade, form the vermicompost in such a manner that it looks like a pyramid. After a day, you can harvest the top portion easily because the worm has gone to the bottom of the pyramid-like.
Move ½ vermicompost to the other side and fill the emptied portion with new substrates. After five days all worms have already transferred. Harvest now the castings left by the worms.
DRYING AND STORAGE
Air-drying is the only recommended method of drying castings. Drying under the heat of the sun can destroy the quality of your fertilizer due to lost of nitrogen content.
It can be stored at 30% moisture content in plastic bag. Store in cool place away from direct sunlight.
EXPECTED EARTHWORM PRODUCTION / INCOME
1. Average weight of breeder worm – 1.0-1.5 gm
2. Average number per kg – 1,000 worms3. Mating schedule – once a week
4. Average number of eggs per capsule –5
5. Expected production/month
· 1,000 breeders x 5 eggs per capsule = 5,000 eggs
· 5,000 eggs x 25% survival rate = 1,250 babies per week· 1,250 per week x 4 weeks a month = 5,000 babies/mo
· 5,000/mo x 6 mos. = 30,000 new worms
6. Total production = 30,000 new worms + 1,000 original breeder= 31,000 worms or 31 kilos of worms
7. Current price: 1,000/kg or 1.00/pc
8. 50% shall be sold: 15,500x 1.00 = Php15,500.00
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