Vermi Compost
(Eisenia Fetida)

Description

Eisenia Fetida Worms are given the ideal habitat to thrive and produce the “Worm Humus” which is the most stable kind of compost for Organic Farming.

Vermicompost is an organic fertiliser with very exceptional qualities. It is directly absorbed by plants and its high nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium and carbon contents along with a remarkable collection of bacteria and enzyme flora make it the most effective organic solution. Worm humus is odourless and free of pest. Using it is completely harmless and even large quantities have no negative effects on even the most delicate of seedlings. Applying vermicompost produces yields far above the average attainable with regular chemical fertilisers, even if equal amounts are used. In addition to higher yields, it causes harvests to be ready earlier and to have a higher quality in taste & colour.

While Compost is a favorite product for all Organic Farmers, the origin matters !

Vermicompost vs other Compost :

Regular Compost consists of may have a “fresh, forest soil-like” odor but Vermicompost will be odorless. The fresh smelling compost contains “Friable Humus” which mineralizes quickly whereas Vermicompost contains “Stable Worm Humus” which stays longer in the soil.

Stable humus which is generated in particularly high quantities in vermicomposting. In this case the nutrients are not water soluble but rather pre-dominantly organically bound. Only plants which their root hairs are able to make these nutrients accessible. Stable humus should be the main goal when working toward attaining a fertile soil.

Benefits of using Vermicompost

Soil conditioner :

Vermicompost can be mixed directly into the soil.

The dark brown waste liquid, or leachate, that drains into the bottom of some vermicomposting systems as water-rich foods break down, is best applied back to the bin when added moisture is needed due to the possibility of phyto toxin content and organic acids that may be toxic to plants.

The pH, nutrient, and microbial content of these fertilizers varies upon the inputs fed to worms. Pulverized limestone, or calcium carbonate can be added to the system to raise the pH.

Soil :

1. Improves soil aeration

2. Enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding enzymes such as phosphatase & cellulase)

3. Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil and organic matter that the worm ingests

4. Attracts deep-burrowing earthworms already present in the soil

5. Improves water holding capacity.

Plant Growth :

1. Enhances germination, plant growth, and crop yield.

2. Improves root growth and structure.

3. Enriches soil with micro-organisms (adding plant hormones such as auxins and gibberellic acid).

Specifications :

(i) Moisture, per cent by weight : 15.0 to 25.0

(ii) Colour : Dark brown to black

(iii) Odour : Absence of foul odour

(iv) Particle size : Minimum 90% material should pass through 4.0 mm IS Sieve

(v) Bulk Density (g/cm3) : 0.7 -0.9

(vi) Total Organic carbon per cent by weight : > 18.0 %

(vii) Total Nitrogen (as N) per cent by weight : > 1.0

(viii) Total Phosphate (as P2O5) per cent by weight : > 1.0

(ix) Total Potassium (as K2O) per cent by weight : > 1.0

(x) Heavy metal content, (as mg/Kg) per cent by weight :

As as as As2O3 : < 10

Cadmium (as Cd) : < 5

Chromium (as Cr) : < 5

Mercury (as Hg) : < 0.15

Nickel (as Ni) : <50

Lead (as Pb) : < 100

How to Test if your Compost is good :

Take some pure compost in a small pot and put in 2 seeds of a fast grow crop like Tomato. If the plant starts to grow nicely it is safe for any type of application without fear of burning the plants.

How much Compost to use :

For Commercial Agriculture : 10 tons / acre initially and then 3-5 tons per acre for maintenance.

Pot mix : 1/3 compost, 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand.