Production of Vermicompost in HDPE Vermibeds
Farm Yard Manure and vermicompost are the two very important organic manure. The components of both the items may be same except earthworm.
Vermicompost is an organic matter similar to FYM. It is a type of compost which is a result of the biological activity of earthworm. In this post we will know about the Production of Vermicompost in Vermibed.
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Vermicompost = V. C.
Uses
It is used as manure for various agricultural and horticultural plant-crops.
What are the importance of vermicompost?
V. C. is a very cheap, easy, and important manure for all types of soils.
- It is an organic matter.
- The compost doesn’t accumulate any harmful residual effect.
- It is eco-friendly.
Duration
Farm Yard Manure 6 months
Compost 4 months
V. C. 40 – 45 days
It is very important in sustainable agriculture.
A one ha. agricultural land demands 2 – 3 tonnes of organic manure. This is a huge amount. That’s why V. C. is becoming very popular.
The most important thing in the preparation of V. C. is earthworm. Earthworms play major role. We should have knowledge about earthworm.
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| Contents |
|---|
| (1). About earthworm |
| (2). Procedure of production of vermicompost in vermibeds |
| (3). Care |
(1). About earthworm
| Scientific name | Eisenia fetida |
| Common name | Redworm |
Classification
| Kingdom | Anamalia |
| Clasd | Clitellata |
| Phylum | Annelida |
| Order | Opisthopora |
Annelida = A long slender body wich have small rings.
These rings have small setae, earthworm move with help of setae.
There are more than 6,000 species of earthworm.
Earthworms don’t have eyes. They have numerous light sensitive glands on body surface, that’s why they can detect sharp sunlight.
Life cycle:
- Egg stage 21 – 26 days
- Juvenile stage 30 – 70 days
- Adult stage 6 – 24 months
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(2).Procedure of production of vermicompost in vermibeds
Materials:
- Earth worm: Eisenia fetida.
- Vermibed.
- Cow dung.
- Agricultural residues.
2.1 Necessary structure
Purchase HDPE vermibeds from any Agriculture shop.
Size: Various sizes are available
Example: 6 × 4 × 2 feet, 12 × 4 × 2 feet.
Thickness: Various
Example: 250 GSM, 350 GSM, 450 GSM.
350 GSM thickness is enough.
2.2 Making a shade
Select a shady place or make a shade structure
The height of shade at center should be 8 feet, while the height at the both side is 6 feet.
- Clean the soil surface.
- Even the surface with the help of spade.
Fix the vermibed:
- Unfold the vermibed.
- Revert it into the shape of a tank.
- Spot its fixing holes.
- There should be at least 8 – 12 fixing holes.
- The number of holes depend on the size of vermibed.
- Use wooden or plastic poles to stable the structure.
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2.3 Making layers (from surface)
| Layer | Thickness | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First layer | 6 inch | Layer of Coconut husk, sugarcane stubble, wheat stubble, sesbania, straw. |
| Second layer | 2 – 3 inch | Cow dung |
| Third layer | ….. | Release earthworms. |
| Fourth layer | 2 – 3 inch | Make another layer of cow dung (rest). |
| Fifth layer | 1 feet | Crop residues. |
| Sixth layer | …. | A layer of wet jute bag. |
2.4 Final step
- Grind the ready vermicompost
- Sieve it.
The original vermicompost will look like the grains of tea.
(3). Care
Don’t use fresh cow dung. It can kill worms by production of excessive heat.
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