ZL(OE)-02: Economic Zoology

Vermicomposting
Unit - IV
 Earthworms:
• Earthworms are popularly known as the “farmer’s
friend” or “nature’s plowman”.
• Earthworms belong to:
Phylum - Annelida
Class – Chaetopoda
Order - Oligochaeta
• They are the first group of multicellular
eucoelomate invertebrates to have succeeded to
inhabit terrestrial environment.
• They are hermaphrodites, both male and female
reproductive organs are present in every single
earthworm but self-fertilization does not
generally occur.
 Anatomical characteristics of earthworms
• Bilateral Symmetry: If you cut an earthworm down the centre,
you would find that the left and the right sides of its body are
identical or symmetrical.
• Locomotion: They crawl using circular and longitudinal muscles
which are located under the epidermis.
• Except for the first and last segment, all the other segments have
eight setae located around each segment. The setae look like
small bristles sticking out of the earthworm’s skin. The bristle-like
setae anchor the segments as they crawl.
• As the earthworm tunnels through the soil, it excretes mucus
from its body. This mucus reacts with the soil of the tunnel walls
and forms a type of cement which makes the tunnel walls stable.
• Respiratory System: Earthworms do not have a well-developed
respiratory system. Gases are exchanged through the moist skin
and capillaries, where the oxygen is picked up by the hemoglobin
dissolved in the blood plasma and carbon dioxide is released.
• Circulatory System: The circulatory system is fully closed. One
large blood vessel runs the length of the body, immediately
beside the gut.
• Two to five pairs of muscular blood vessels extend from the
central vessel and function as hearts to drive the circulatory
system.
• Brain & nervous system: The earthworm brain is actually a fused
pair of nerve ganglia, mostly located in the third segment, and
the nerve fibers that run the length of the body, around the gut.
• Reproductive system: The clitellum is a swelling of the skin and
can only be seen in earthworms that are ready to reproduce.
• It may be white, orange-red or reddish-brown in colour.
Earthworms are ready to mate when their clitellum is orange.
• Most of the material secreted to form earthworm cocoons is
produced within the clitellum.
• At the time of egg laying, the clitellum is transformed into
hard, girdle like capsule called cocoon.
• Shedding of cocoon ranges from 1 to 5, only a few of them
survive and hatch.
• The formation of cocoons takes a period of 50-60 days.
• Normally, the average life span of earthworms varies with
species ranging from 1 to 10 years.
• Earthworms are long, narrow, cylindrical, and segmented
with a glistening dark brown body covered with delicate
cuticle.
• The gut of earthworm is a straight tube starting from
mouth followed by a muscular pharynx, oesophagus, thin
walled crop, muscular gizzard, foregut, midgut, hindgut,
associated digestive glands and ending with anus.
Earthworms:
• There are about 3000 species of earthworms in the world which
are adapted to a range of environment, in tropical to temperate
region.
• About 418 species of earthworms present in India.
• India harbors about 11.1% of the global earthworm diversity.
• The Indian earthworm fauna is predominantly composed of
native species, which constitute about 89% of total earthworm
diversity in the country.
• Around 45 exotic peregrine worms have been introduced into
India.
• The number of segments from the peristomium to the clitellum
and the number of segments which make up the clitellum are
species specific in earthworms.
 Types of Earthworms
•Three ecological categories of earthworms - epigeics, endogeics and anecics.
•The anecics and endogeics are known as ‘soil ecosystem engineers’ and their
impact on soils is great and may influence properties and processes at the
ecosystem level.
•The functional role of epigeics is primarily that of ‘litter transformers’, like other
litter invertebrates.
Epigeics
• Epigeic species grind and partially digest surface litter, rarely
ingesting soil particles.
• The soils are affected indirectly via changes in the litter, the
effects of epigeic earthworms are not truly drilospheric.
• Their mode of litter processing in
natural systems results in greater
nutrient leaching into the soil.
• The epigeics feed purely on litter
and generally have a short gut
transit time they probably
depend on a rapid response of
gut microbes to aid in digestion.
Endogeics
• Endogeics are the most prevalent earthworms (in biomass) in most
tropical environments, often being the only group present,
particularly in agro ecosystems.
• Endogeics are geophagous earthworms that feed on subsurface soil
horizons and on soil organic matter of different qualities.
• They produce surface
and below-ground casts.
• Endogeic casts with generally more clay and more organic matter
than undigested soil, contain and release significant amounts of
nutrients.
• Fresh casts of Pontoscolex corethrurus may have 2-8 times more
inorganic P and NH4 than undigested soil.
• This N may result from selective ingestion of richer soil portions,
microbial mineralization, enteronephridial N excretions or a
symbiotic N2 (Dinitrogen) fixation in the gut.
• Fungal hyphae, active protozoa, algae, myxomycetes and
nematodes may be digested, while encysted or protected forms
survive gut passage and then rapidly proliferate in casts.
Anecics
• Anecics the dominant earthworms (in biomass) in many
temperate region soils are primarily vertically burrowing
species.
• They feed on surface litter and more or less are permanent
refuges in underlying soil horizons.
• They often produce characteristic surface features called
“middens” which are circular “mound-shaped” region around
a surface of the burrow’s opening which is a mixture of surface
organic materials and soil.
• These are thought to act as “external rumens,” where microbes
and fauna attracted to this ‘hot-spot’ enhance decomposition
of undigested litter and organic fragments in casts, probably
due to fungal colonization of these substrates.
• The feeding and casting habits of anecics may deeply
influence soil characteristics up to 1m depth.
• The translocation of litter, mucus excretions, air penetration
and selection of soil particles enrich the burrow walls with
organic matter and plant available nutrients (N, P, K and Ca).
 Ecological role and Economic importance of Earthworms:
• The microorganisms and earthworms act symbiotically to
accelerate and enhance the decomposition of organic matter.
• Earthworms in general are greatly resistant to many pesticides
and concentrate the pesticides and heavy metals in their tissues.
• They also inhibit the soil borne pathogens and work as a
detoxifying agent for polluted soil.
• Earthworms can be used for effluent treatment and heavy metal
and pesticides removal from industrial and agricultural wastes.
• Earthworm promotes the growth of ‘beneficial decomposer
bacteria’ in waste biomass.
• Earthworms are the most important soil invertebrate in the soil
ecosystem in terms of biomass and activity, often considered as
ecosystem engineer.
• Earthworms are not essential to have in the soil, but their presence can
be an indicator of good soil quality.
• Earthworms improve the physical structure of soil, improve water
filtration rates and absorption rates, helping the soil to drain better.
• The tunneling activity of earthworms also improves soil aeration,
porosity and permeability.
• The feeding and casting habits of anecics may deeply influence soil
characteristics up to >1m depth.
• The translocation of litter, mucus excretions, air penetration and
selection of soil particles enrich the burrow walls with organic matter
and plant available nutrients (N, P, K and Ca).
Vermiculture – definition, scope and importance:
Vermiculture:
• Vermiculture means scientific method of breeding and raising
earthworms in controlled conditions.
Vermitechnology:
• Vermitechnology is the combination of vermiculture and
vermicomposting.
• Earthworm can be used for development of arable soils, break down
of plant organic matter, aeration and drainage.
• Also for production of useful products like vermifertilizer and worm
tissue for animal feed.
Environmental requirements and culture methods:
• ….
Vermicomposting – applications, future perspectives:
• ‘Gold from garbage’ and ‘Queen of compost’
• Vermicomposting is a method of making compost, with the use of
earthworms, which generally live in soil, eat biomass and excrete it in
digested form. This compost is generally called Vermicompost or
Wormicompost.
• Epigeics (surface feeders) are important in vermicomposting. The
epigeics such as Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus eugeniae are exotic
worms and Perionyx excavatus is a native one being used for
vermicomposting in India.
• Epianecic are feeders on leaf litter and soil at upper layers of soil.
This group such as Lampito mauritii is indigenous and is active in
in-situ decomposition of organic wastes and residues in soil.
• Both epigeics and epianecics groups of earthworms are
slender, shorter in length and red to dark brown in colour. They
have high reproduction activity and efficient in recycling of
organic materials.
• Increased attention has been paid to Eisenia foetida and
Eudrilus eugeniae which have been found to be potential
agent in vermicomposting of wide range of agricultural
wastes and can grow at a wide range of temperature varying
from 0-40 ◦C. However, the optimum temperature ranges
from 20-30 ◦C.
• Materials consumed by worms undergo physical breakdown
in the gizzard resulting in particles <2 µ, giving thereby an
enhanced surface area for microbial processing.
• This finally ground material is exposed to various enzymes
such as protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase and chitinase
secreted into lumen by the gut wall and associated microbes.
• These enzymes breakdown complex biomolecules into
simple compounds.
• Only 5-10% of the ingested material is absorbed into the
tissues of worms for their growth and rest is excreted as cast.
• Mucus secretions of gut wall add to the structural
stability of vermicompost.
 Vermicompost preparation
• Basic raw materials: Any organic material generated in the farm like
wheat / rice straw, leaf fall, Paddy husk, etc.
• Starter: Cow dung , Biogas slurry, or urine of cattle.
• Earthworm sp.: Earth worms (Species: Eisenia foetida)
• Thatched roof/vermi shed.
Favourable conditions of earth worms in the composting material
• pH: Range between 6.5 and 7.5
• Moisture: 60-70% of the moisture below and above range
mortality of worms take place
• Aeration: 50% aeration from the total pore space
• Temperature: Range between 18 °C to 35 °C
 Procedure:
• It is mostly prepared in either pit or heap method.
• The dimensions either heap or pit are 10 x 4 x 2 feet.
• The length and width can be increased or decreased depending
on the availability of material but not the depth because the
earthworms’ activity is confined to 2 feet depth only.
• First of all select a site which is not under any economic use and
is shady and there is no water stagnation. The site should be near
to a water source.
• 1st layer: bedding material of 1" thick with soft leaves
• 2nd layer: 9" thick organic residue layer finely chaffed material
• 3rd layer: Dung + water equal mixture of 2" layer.
• Continue the layer up to pile to ground level in the case of
pit method and up to 2ʹ in heap or surface bed method.
• Protect the worms against natural enemies like ants,
lizards, snakes, frogs, toads etc., Maintain proper moisture
and temperature by turnings and subsequent staking.
• At the day of 24th, 4000 worms are introduced in to the pit
[1m2 =2000 worms] without disturbing the pit by regular
watering the entire raw material will be turned into the
vermicompost in the form of worm excreta.
• The turnover of the compost is 75% [the total material
accommodated in the pit is 1000 kg; the out turn will be
750 kg]
• In-situ vermicomposting can be done by direct field
application of vermicompost at 5 t/ha followed by
application of cow dung (2.5 cm thick layer) and then
a layer of available farm waste about 15 cm thick.
Irrigation should be done at an interval of 15 days.
 Precautions
• Do not cover vermicompost beds with plastic sheets because it may trap
heat and gases.
• Do not overload the vermicompost heap to avoid high temperature that
adversely affect their population.
• Dry conditions kill the worms and waterlogging drive them away. Watering
should be done daily in summer and every third day in rainy and winter
season.
• Addition of higher quantities of acid rich substances such as tomatoes and
citrus wastes should be avoided.
• Make a drainage channel around the heap to avoid stagnation of water
particularly in high rainfall areas in rainy season.
• Organic materials used for composting should be free from non-degradable
materials such as stones, glass pieces, plastics, ceramic tubes/bulbs etc.
 Precautions
• The important natural enemies of vermiculture are ants,
termites, centipedes, rats, pigs, birds etc.
• Preventive measures include treating of the site with 4%
neem based insecticide before filling the heap.
 Transportation of live worms
• Live earthworms can be packed with moist feed substrate in
a container (card board/plastic) with provision of aeration.
• Feed substrate quantity should be roughly 0.5-1.5 g/individual
for 24 hours of transportation journey.
• Culture should contain cocoon, juveniles and adults because
sometimes adults do not acclimatize to new environment and
may even die. Under such circumstances cocoons are helpful for
population build up of earthworms.
 Application rate
• It can be applied in any crop at any stage, but it would be
more beneficial if mixed in soil after broadcasting. The rate
of application is as below:
• Field crops 5-6 t/ha;
• Vegetables 10-12 t/ha;
• Flower plants 100-200 g/sq ft;
• Fruit trees 5-10 kg/tree.
 Advantages of vermicompost
• Vermicompost is a rich source of nutrients, vitamins,
enzymes, antibiotics and growth hormones.
• Nutrient content of vermicompost is higher than traditional
composts.
• Vermicompost horbours certain microbial
populations that help in N fixation and P solubilization.
• Its application enhances nodulation in legumes and
symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with the roots.
• It can be used as rooting medium and for
establishment of saplings in nurseries.
• It has enzymes like protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase
and chitinese which keep on their function of
biodegradation of agricultural residues in the soil so that
further microbial attack is speeded up.
• It does not have foul odour as is associated with manures
and decaying organic wastes.
 Harvesting of the vermicompost from the pit:
• Stop watering before one week of harvest.
• Sometimes the worms spread across the pit come in close and
penetrate each other in the form of ball in 2 or 3 locations.
• Heap the compost by removing the balls and place them in a
bucket. However, under most instances, top layer has to be
disturbed manually.
• Earthworms move downward and compost is separated. After
collection of compost from top layers, feed material is again
replenished and composting process is rescheduled.
• The material is sieved in 2 mm sieve, the material passed
through the sieve is called as vermicompost which is stored in
bags.
N P K Content in Vermicompost, Farmyard manure and bacterial compost
Element Vermicompost Farmyard manure Bacterial compost
N (%) 2.1 – 2.6 1.1 – 1.5 1.2 – 1.5

P (%) 1.5 – 1.7 0.7 – 0.8 0.7 – 0.9

K (%) 1.4 – 1.6 0.6 – 0.7 0.6 – 0.7

Other nutrient Contents

Organic carbon 9.15 to 17.98 % Iron 1800 ppm
Available S 128 to 548 ppm Zinc 50 ppm
Copper 100 ppm Ca and Mg
Potentials and constraints for vermiculture in India:
Potentials:
• The warm and moist climatic conditions of India are
favorable for earthworm rapid biodegradation action.
• India is an agriculture country and a large mass of
people rely on agriculture, thus vermicompost is a
boost.
• Enormous quantity of agricultural, natural, industrial
and household wastes can be converted as
vermicompost.
• The country will become clean and green.
 Acknowledgements
• BINM: Vermicompost
• S S R A N A, S R S C I E N T I S T
• CSKHPKV
• India Organic