VERMICOMPOSTI

NG
BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

BY MUDIT JAIN XI - C
CERTIFICATE
MVMudit Jain of Class
This it to certify that XI- C
of B.V.B Vidyashram , Jaipur has completed the
investigatory project of Biology titled
“ Vermicomposting” during the academic session
2020-2021 towards partial fulfilment of credit for
the Biology practical evaluation and submitted
satisfactory report as completed in following
pages under my supervision.

Teacher’s Signature
ACKNOWLEDGEMEN
T
It gives me great pleasure to express my gratitude
towards my Biology teacher, Mrs. Suman Joshi for
her throughout guidance, support and
encouragement during the project. Without her
motivation and help, the successful completion of
this project would not have been possible. I would
also like to thank my parents for their constant
support and motivation.

Mudit Jain
 INDEX
1. Introduction-what is vermicomposting?
2. Overview and principle of
vermicomposting
3. Large scale vermicomposting
4. Small scale vermicomposting
5. Process of vermicomposting
6. Advantages of vermicomposting
7. Disadvantages of vermicomposting
8. Precautionary measures of
vermicomposting
9. Harvesting of vermicomposting
10. Facts about vermicomposting
11. Glossary
12. Bibliography
 Introduction
WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING?
Vermicomposting is the scientific method of making compost, by
using earthworms.

They are commonly found living in soil, feeding on biomass and

excreting it in a digested form.
Vermiculture means “worm-farming”.

Earthworms feed on the organic waste materials and give out excreta in
the form of “vermicasts” that are rich in nitrates and minerals such as
phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and i potassium.

These are used as fertilizers and enhance soil quality.

Vermicomposting comprises two methods:

 Bed Method: This is an easy method in which beds of organic
matter are prepared.
 Pit Method: In this method, the organic matter is collected in
cemented pits. However, this method is not prominent as it
involves problems of poor aeration and waterlogging.
 Overview and
Principle
Vermicomposting has gained popularity in both industrial and
domestic settings because, as compared with conventional
composting, it provides a way to treat organic wastes more quickly.

In manure composting, it also generates products that have

lower salinity levels.
The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are
red wigglers , though European nightcrawlers and red earthworm
could also be used.

Containing water-soluble nutrients, vermicompost is a nutrient-

rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner in a form that is relatively
easy for plants to absorb.
Because the earthworms grind and uniformly mix minerals in simple
forms, plants need only minimal effort to obtain them.

The worms' digestive systems create environments that allow certain

species of microbes to thrive to help create a "living" soil
environment for plants.

The fraction of soil which has gone through the digestive tract of
earthworms is called the drilosphere.
 Large Scale
Vermicomposting
Large-scale vermicomposting is practiced in Canada, Italy, Japan,
India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United States

The vermicompost may be used for farming, landscaping, to

create compost tea, or for sale. Some of these operations produce worms
for bait and/or home vermicomposting.
There are two main methods of large-scale vermicomposting, windrow
and raised bed. :
Some systems use a windrow, which consists of bedding materials for the
earthworms to live in and acts as a large bin; organic material is added to it.
Although the windrow has no physical barriers to prevent worms from
escaping, in theory they should not, due to an abundance of organic matter
for them to feed on. The Windrow Composting system is noted as a
sustainable, cost-efficient way for farmers to manage dairy waste. [
The second type of large-scale vermicomposting system is the raised bed or
flow-through system. Here the worms are fed an inch of "worm chow" across
the top of the bed, and an inch of castings are harvested from below by
pulling a breaker bar across the large mesh screen which forms the base of
the bed.
Flow-through systems are well suited to indoor facilities, making them the
preferred choice for operations in colder climates.
 Small scale
vermicomposting
For vermicomposting at home, a large variety of bins are
commercially available, or a variety of adapted containers may be
used.

They may be made of old plastic containers, wood, Styrofoam, or

metal containers.

Small-scale vermicomposting is well-suited to turn kitchen waste into

high-quality soil amendments, where space is limited. 

Worms can decompose organic matter without the additional human

physical effort (turning the bin) that bin composting requires.
Composting worms which are detritivorous (eaters of trash), such as the red
wiggler  Eisenia fetida, are epigeic (surface dwellers) and together with
symbiotic associated microbes are the ideal vectors for decomposing food
waste.

Common earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris are anecic (deep

burrowing) species and hence unsuitable for use in a closed system.[

Other soil species that contribute include insects, other worms and molds.

PROCESS OF
VERMICOMPOSTING
AIM-
To prepare vermicompost using earthworms and other biodegradable wastes.

Principle- This process is mainly required to add nutrients to the soil.

Compost is a natural fertilizer that allows an easy flow of water to the growing
plants.
The earthworms are mainly used in this process as they eat the organic matter
and produce castings through their digestive systems.

The nutrients profile of vermicomposts are:

 1.6 per cent of Nitrogen.

 0.7 per cent of Phosphorus.
 0.8 per cent of Potassium.
 0.5 per cent of Calcium.
 0.2 per cent of Magnesium.
 175 ppm of Iron.
 96.5 ppm of Manganese.
 24.5 ppm of Zinc.
MATERIALS REQUIRED-
 Water.
 Cow dung.
 Thatch Roof.
 Soil or Sand.
 Gunny bags.
 Earthworms.
 Weed biomass
 A large bin (plastic or cemented tank).
 Dry straw and leaves collected from paddy fields.
 Biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen .

Procedure:
1. To prepare compost, either a plastic or a concrete tank can be used. The
size of the tank depends upon the availability of raw materials.
2. Collect the biomass and place it under the sun for about 8-12 days. Now
chop it to the required size using the cutter.
3. Prepare a cow dung slurry and sprinkle it on the heap for quick
decomposition.
4. Add a layer (2 – 3 inch) of soil or sand at the bottom of the tank.
5. Now prepare fine bedding by adding partially decomposed cow dung,
dried leaves and other biodegradable wastes collected from fields and
kitchen. Distribute them evenly on the sand layer.
6. Continue adding both the chopped bio-waste and partially decomposed
cow dung layer-wise into the tank up to a depth of 0.5-1.0 ft.
7. After adding all the bio-wastes, release the earthworm species over the
mixture and cover the compost mixture with dry straw or gunny bags.
8. Sprinkle water on a regular basis to maintain the moisture content of the
compost.
9. Cover the tank with a thatch roof to prevent the entry of ants, lizards,
mouse, snakes, etc. and protect the compost from rainwater and direct
sunshine.
10. Have a frequent check to avoid the compost from overheating. Maintain
proper moisture and temperature.
Result-
After the 24th day, around 4000 to 5000 new worms are introduced and
the entire raw material is turned into the vermicompost.
 BENEFITS OF
VERMICOMPOSTING
The major benefits of vermicomposting are:

1.Develops roots of the plants.

2. Improves the physical structure of the soil.

3. Vermicomposting increases the fertility and water-
resistance of the soil.
4.Helps in germination, plant growth, and crop yield.

5. Nurtures soil with plant growth hormones such as

auxins, gibberellic acid, etc.

6.Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times

higher than in the soil and organic matter that the worm
ingests

7.Improves water holding capacity

8.Attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil
 Disadvantages of
vermicomposting
1. It is a time-consuming process and takes as long as six months to
convert the organic matter into usable forms.

2. It releases a very foul odour.

3. Vermicomposting is high maintenance. The feed has to be added

periodically and care should be taken that the worms are not
flooded with too much to eat.

4.The bin should not be too dry or too wet. The moisture levels
need to be monitored periodically.
5.They nurture the growth of pests and pathogens such as fruit
flies, centipede and flies.
6.Produces nitrous oxide and methane- harmful greenhouse gases.

7.Leachate may spread plant pathogens.

 Precautionary measures in
vermicomposting
 Compost Material: The compost material must be purely organic.
It must be devoid of materials like glass pieces, stones, ceramic
pieces, plastic, etc.

 Loading: The vermicompost heap must be filled to the right

quantity. It should not be overloaded as overloading causes
accumulation of gases and increase in temperature. This would
affect their growth and population.

 Drainage Channel: There should be a provision for drainage

around the vermicompost heap so that there is no water
accumulation. This is especially important during the rainy
season.

 Addition of Acidic Substances: Acidic substances like citrus

must be avoided. If added they should be added only in small
quantities as these acidic substances affect the pH balance of the
compost.

 Covering the Beds: The vermicompost beds must not be covered

with plastic sheets or tarpaulin. This would lead to accumulation
of gases and also increase the heat inside the bed which can be
detrimental to the worms.
earthworms.
 Harvesting of Vermicompost
Vermicompost is ready for harvest when it contains few-to-no
scraps of uneaten food or bedding

There are several methods of harvesting from small-scale systems: "dump and
hand sort", "let the worms do the sorting", "alternate containers" and "divide
and dump.

These differ on the amount of time and labor involved and whether the
vermicomposter wants to save as many worms as possible from being trapped in
the harvested compost.

The pyramid method of harvesting worm compost is commonly used in small-

scale vermicomposting, and is considered the simplest method for single layer
bins.

In this process, compost is separated into large clumps, which is placed back
into composting for further breakdown, and lighter compost, with which the rest
of the process continues.

This lighter mix is placed into small piles on a tarp under the sunlight. The
worms instinctively burrow to the bottom of the pile.

After a few minutes, the top of the pyramid is removed repeatedly, until the
worms are again visible. This repeats until the mound is composed mostly of
worms.
 Facts about vermicomposting
There are over 9,000 species of earthworms, ranging in size from half an inch to 22 feet long but only
Only epigeic species are suitable for vermicomposting.

Only seven species have been identified as suitable for vermicomposting. One species, Eisenia fetida,
is used by most people throughout the world. Eisenia fetida is commonly called red wiggler, in
addition to several other common names.

Eisenia fetida is found in moist, organic-rich environments, such as livestock manure or under logs in
the woods and they may consume 25% – 35% of their body weight per day.
Vermiculture is the process of breeding worms while Vermicomposting is the process of turning
organic debris into vermicompost.

Worm beddings should also be kept moist, but shouldn’t be too soggy or too wet (as this may cause the
worms to drown). They can very well tolerate moisture content that range from 80 to 90 percent; and
will also find the need for oxygen. So it’s best to always keep these present and balanced in your
composting worms bin. Ideal salinity levels of the bin should be below 0.5 percent.

Harvesting time of compost using this method can range from 3 to 6 months . Functional temperature
range for vermicomposting bins ranges from 0 degree celsius to 35 degree Celsius and ideal
composting temperature is between 25 degree to 30 degree Celsius.
 Glossary
1.Windrow- In agriculture, windrow composting is the production of compost by piling
organic matter or biodegradable waste, such as animal manure and crop residues, in long
rows (windrows).

2.Biomass- Biomass refers to the mass of living organisms, including plants, animals, and
microorganisms, or, from a biochemical perspective, cellulose, lignin, sugars

3.Slurry- A thick liquid consisting of water mixed with animal waste that farmers use on
their fields to make plants grow better.

4.Leachate- Water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the
constituents.

5.Epigeic earthworms- Epigeic earthworms live in areas containing high amounts of

organic matter. They live at or near the soil surface and feed on leaf litter, decaying plant
roots or dung. These earthworms do not form permanent burrows. Epigeic species tend to
have dark skin colour

6. Biowaste- Bio-waste, also known as biodegradable waste, is waste that consists mainly
of organic materials. This includes green waste, food waste as well as paper waste, and
even biodegradable plastics

7.Detritivores- Detritivores (also known as detrivores or detritus eaters) are heterotrophs

that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts as well as
faeces).

8. Anecic- Anecic earthworms make permanent vertical burrows in soil. They feed on

leaves on the soil surface that they drag into their burrows. 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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