DFID-NRSP-R8192

Finished compost is dark coloured, light and free from Vermicompost can be used for any crop. However, its use
any unpleasant odour. is most profitable in case of commercial crops like flowers,
fruits and vegetables.

After ascertaining that the composting process is
complete, watering has to be stopped. The heap begins
to dry out from the top and worms congregate at the
Recommended quantity and time of
bottom of the heap where there is still some moisture. application of vermicompost
At that time, the material in the heap has to be Quantity
Time to
arranged into a cone. Compost has to be slowly Crop to apply
removed from the top of the cone, screened and filled apply
per acre
into bags. Material remaining on the screen, including Rice 1 tonne After transplanting
undecomposed organic material and earthworms, and
Sugarcane 1 1/2 tonnes Last ploughing
worms remaining at the bottom of the heap can be used
for another round of compost preparation. Cotton 1 tonne Last ploughing
Chilli 1 tonne Last ploughing
1
Groundnut /2 tonne Last ploughing
Sunflower 11/2 tonnes Last ploughing
Maize 1 tonne Last ploughing
Turmeric 1 tonne Last ploughing
Grape 1 tonne June-July
Citrus, 2 kg per tree At planting time
pomegranate, and before flowering
ber, guava in 1-2 year old trees
Mango, coconut 2 kg per tree At planting time
5 kg per tree 1-5 year old trees
10 kg per tree 6-9 year old trees
20 kg per tree Trees older than
10 years
A few precautions need to be followed in vermicompost 1
Onion, garlic, 1-1 /2 tonnes Last ploughing
preparation
tomato, potato,

Adequate moisture should be maintained in the compost bhendi, brinjal, Biofertilizers ready to use
heap. Too little or too much moisture can harm the cabbage, cauliflower
earthworms and slow down the composting process. Teak, red sandal- 3 kg per tree At planting time

Care should be taken to see that there are no plastic, wood, mangium
rubber, glass or metal objects in the organic wastes used
for composting.
For further information contact:

Earthworms should be protected from predatory animals
such as frogs, rats, garden lizards, poultry birds, ants, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
etc. P.O. Saidabad, Hyderabad-500 059. Ph.: 040-24530161, 24530177

Earthworms have soft bodies and are easily injured. BAIF Institute for Rural Development - K
Therefore care has to be taken while turning the heap. Zonal Office, D.No. 7-133/2, Santosh Colony,
Near Saraswati Shishu Vihar, Jadcherla – 509 302,
Sharp objects should not be employed for turning the
Mahaboobnagar District, AP
heap, and turning should be done gently.
 n rural areas, agriculture, animal husbandry and
Earthworms convert waste materials, that would otherwise
I related activities generate large quantities of organic
wastes. Considerable quantities of tender twigs, dry leaves,
pose disposal problems, into valuable compost. Thus
vermicomposting prevents environmental pollution and
grass, weeds, etc., are also available. These organic wastes helps in keeping the surroundings clean and free of garbage.
contain organic carbon and plant nutrients in appreciable
Earthworms, organic wastes and water are the three major
amounts. Organic wastes are safer and more useful when
requirements for vermicomposting.
composted and applied, rather than when they are directly
applied. The process of composting organic wastes using 1. Earthworms: Non burrowing, organic debris consuming
earthworms is called ‘vermicomposting’. Earthworms ingest species of earthworms, such as Eisenia foetida, Eudrilus
organic matter and excrete valuable ‘vermicompost’. eugeniae, Feretima elongata, Perionyx excavatus are ideal
Vermicompost has many good qualities and its application for vermicomposting. These are available with many
to soil has many benefits. krishi vigyan kendra’s, agricultural research centres,
non-government organizations and private companies.

Vermicompost is rich in organic carbon, which plays
They can also be obtained from villages where
a key role in soil fertility, and contains all essential plant
vermicomosting is already being done.
nutrients in appropriate proportions. Thus it is a
complete and balanced plant food. It also contains 2. Organic wastes: The following organic wastes can be
biochemical substances that promote plant growth and utilized for vermicomposting. should be prepared, or one large enclosure should be
fight plant diseases. ★ Crop based waste materials such as straw, stubble, partitioned into compartments.
Nutrient value of vermicompost chaff, husk, etc., tree leaves and twigs, weeds
On the floor of the bed one layer of broken bricks are
Nutrient Content ★ Animal based wastes such as cattle dung, sheep and to be spread and on top of these a 2-3 inch layer of
Organic carbon 20-25% goat dung, poultry wastes soil and sand has to be applied uniformly.
Nitrogen 1.5-2.0%
To discourage ants and termites from entering the bed,
★ Household wastes such as vegetable and fruit wastes,
Phosphorus 0.5-1.5% a layer of neem or pongamia leaves has to be applied
leftover and spoilt foods
Potassium 0.5-1.0%
Calcium 0.4-0.8% 3. Water: Adequate water is essential for maintaining
A 3-4 inch layer of bedding material such as dry banana
Magnesium 0.3-0.6% moisture in the compost heap. leaves, straw or weeds has to be applied.
Sulphur 100-500 ppm*
A 3-4 inch layer of dry cow dung has to be applied
Vermicompost can be prepared in pits dug below the
Iron 6.7-9.3 ppm on top of the bedding material.
ground, in raised heaps above ground, in cement rings or
Copper 2.0-9.5 ppm
any such containers, and in walled enclosures called
On the layer of cow dung, earthworms have to be
Zinc 5.7-11.5 ppm
vermicompost ‘beds’. The bed method is more suitable for released at the rate of 1 kg worms for square metre
*ppm - parts per million large-scale production of vermicompost and for preventing

Finally, decomposable organic wastes mixed with cow

The use of vermicompost not only increases the rate soil from mixing with the compost. The procedure for
dung have to be stacked to a height of one foot and
of water intake into soil but also improves the soil’s vermicomposting in beds is described below.
the beds have to be covered with gunny bags.
ability to hold water.
Since earthworms have to be protected from heat and

Water has to be sprinkled on the beds regularly to keep

Its use enhances colour, smell, taste, flavour and keeping excess water, a place that is shielded from sun and rain
the heap moist.
quality of flowers, fruits, vegetables and foodgrains and has to be chosen. Alternatively, a shed can be erected.
helps the growers to sell their products at a higher price The size of the shed will be determined by the scale
Once every 15-20 days, the heap of organic wastes has
in the market. of vermicomposting. to be turned upside down and has to be covered with
gunny bags again.

The making of vermicompost provides livelihood support
In the shed, walled enclosures of 2 feet height, 3 to
to the unemployed in rural areas. Enterprising villagers 4 feet width and required length are to be constructed
In 2-3 months time all the organic waste material will
can take up commercial production of vermicompost using brick and mortar. The floor of the bed also has be converted into vermicompost. When worms are
and earn good profits by selling the compost in the to be paved with bricks and mortar. For producing found sticking to the under surface of the gunny bags,
market, which is constantly growing. vermicompost round the year, two or more enclosures it is an indication that the composting process is complete.