This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.
1 min Read
Vermicomposting, or worm composting is a simple technology for converting biodegradable waste into organic manure with the help of earthworms (the red worm Eisenia foetida) with no pile turning, no smell, and fast production of compost. The earthworms are bred in a mix of cow dung, soil, and agricultural residues or pre-decomposed leaf-litter. The whole mass is converted into casts or vermicompost, which can be used on all types of plants in vegetable beds, landscaping areas, or lawns.
A 3m long, 1.25m wide, and 1m high pit is constructed with bricks on a moist and/or shaded site. If brick is not available, box or bamboo bin can also be used. To facilitate drainage digging into the soil, the base of the pit is covered with an 8 cm thick layer of sand. This is covered with a 15 cm thick layer of dry cow dung crushed into small pieces, followed by a layer of pre-decomposed degradable dry biomass and another thick layer of crushed dry cow dung. Finally the heap is covered with a thin layer of soil and the worms are poured on top.
A thatched roof should be built over the pit to maintain 40-50% moisture and 20-30°C temperature. Regular watering is needed to maintain the optimum moisture level. After 5-6 weeks, the top layer is removed and piled in one corner of the pit. After a few days, the newly exposed earthworms have burrowed down and the next top layer can be harvested. About 600 to 1000 worms can convert 45 kg of wet biomass in a week yielding about 25 kg of vermicompost. The earthworms are removed when all the compost has been taken out, and can be stored in moist paddy straw or a jute bag for later use. Vermicompost can be applied to any crop at any stage.
The basic principle of conservation tillage is to maintain a cover on the soil surface of residues (mulching) or vegetation ...
One of the bases for establishing sustainable farming systems is to integrate nitrogen-fixing plants into the system, whether in the ...
An inventory of carbon monitoring plots was conducted in May 2012 to establish a mechanism for long-term monitoring of forest ...
Alder (Utis) Pollarding What is pollarding? #Pollarding is a pruning system involving the removal of the upper ...
Below is an excerpt from Mr. Yeshi Dorji, Agricultural Officer of BCCI, Bhutan about the successful adoption of kiwi cultivation ...
A plant nursery was established in the lower area of the site to ensure an adequate ...
Have you ever tried to join two plants so they grow together? This is called grafting. Grafting is a horticultural technique ...
Soil erosion, soil degradation and declining soil fertility are widely regarded as major problems threatening the sustainable use ...