Vermi presentation edited 062411

VERMICULTURE AND

VERMICOMPOSTING

Presented by: Mary Rose F. Laguindam

July 14 2010

1

TERMINOLOGIES

1. Vermi – worm/earthworm

July 14 2010

Mary Rose F. Laguindam

2

2. Vermiculture – the science of breeding and raising earthworm

3.Vermiculturist – a person who farms, breeds and cares for vermi/worms

4. Vermicasts- excreta of worms

TERMINOLOGIESJuly 14 2010


3

-consist of organic matter that has undergone physical and chemical breakdown through the activity of the muscular gizzard grinds the material

- rich source of macro and micronutrients, vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics, growth hormones and microflora

TERMINOLOGIES

5. Vermicomposting – use of worms for composting organic materials

July 14 2010


4

6. Vermicompost – the product of vermicomposting containing worm castings, bedding materials as well as organic matter in various stages of decomposition

7. Vermi tea – a water extract of compost that is brewed

ADVANTAGES/BENEFITSJuly 14 2010


5

Serve as natural food for fish, birds and mammals

Improves soil aeration, texture, structure and fertility and reduces soil compaction

Enhances microbial activity that promotes plant growth and health



6

It does not have any adverse effect on soil, plant and environment

Vermicompost is an ecofriendly natural fertilizer prepared from biodegradable organic wastes and is free from chemical inputs

It improves water retention capacity of soil because of its high organic matter content



7

It promotes better root growth and nutrient absorption

It improves nutrient status of soil both macro-nutrients and micronutrients

Increases population of beneficial microorganisms

Prevents plant pests and diseases



8

Accelerates plant growth and promotes flowering and fruiting

Minimizes farm inputs

Vermicomposting is more effective as an organic fertilizer than ordinary compost

No overdose

Minimizes foul odor



9

Turns trash to cash

Highly profitable, both the worms and castings are saleable

PRINCIPLESJuly 14 2010


10

Similar to ordinary composting except that earthworms (vermi) are added In ordinary composting microorganisms (i.e,: bacteria and fungi) are “decomposers” while in vermicomposting, microorganisms and earthworms “soil engineers” work together, thus, hasten the process and gives more quality on the compost suitable for organic farming



11

Vermicompost does not heat Vermicompost may be low in NPK but contains essential micronutrients (e.g., calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc) not found in “complete fertilizers” The quality of vermicompost depends on the materials used and the processes applied



12

Vermicompost has microbial activities that promote plant health and pest/disease resistance

Actions of vermi in the composting process has the benefits/advantages of:

CARBON-NITROGEN ratio for digestible nutrients by plants



13

Compost-feeding earthworms (e.g. African nightcrawler) digest organic matter in their alimentary tract and produce “sanitized, deodorized and texturized” humus (castings)

Vermicompost consisting of castings and undigested organic matter contains plant growth regulators (i.e., auxins, gibberelins and humic acid)

ANATOMY OF VERMIJuly 14 2010


14

BIOLOGY OF VERMIJuly 14 2010


15

Number of Earthworm Species 4,000 in the world 400 in the Philippines

Characteristics

They have 2 tubes (one inside the other). The inner tube is a digestive system which can be seen outside as a dark line inside the worm. The black color is actually the food in the digestive tract

Simple animals



16

Characteristics Worms are segmented where each segment is the same except for the head and a larger band called the clitellum

The clitellum ( or band) contains many glands which secrete mucus to make the walls of a cocoon in which fertilized eggs are deposited. The cocoon is then left to hatch in the soil



17

Characteristics

The head is the end which moves forward and has a mouth but no eyes since worms are always underground in the darknessThe body walls contain many nerve receptors that taste chemical changes (or smell) / and detect light (see) in their environment

Free-living, beneficial, terrestial invertebrates



18

Characteristics

They wriggle by moving their front- half forward, anchor it with small hair-like structures called setae then they pull their back-half forward

Casting, which are excreted wastes and dirt clumps, show up on the surface of the ground

Average weight of breeder earthworm is 1.0 to 1.5 grams



19

Characteristics

Active at night (nocturnal)

Many are migratory

Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the soil

Hermaphroditic (have both sex organs)

Breathe through their skin



20

Introduced in the Philippines in 1982 by Dr. Otto Graffctive at night (nocturnal)

Eudrilus eugeniae (African nightcrawler) comes from West Africa

Most extensively cultured species in the tropics

Origin



21

Cocoons (eggs) to Juveniles (young) - 2 weeksActive at night (nocturnal) Many are migratory

Life Cycle

Juveniles (young) to Adult (Breeder) - 2 weeks

Breeding worms can lay 2 to 5 cocoons per week that will hatch in 21 days and mature in 60 to 90 days



22

Cocoon (eggs) stage Many are migratory

Juvenile (young) stage

Adult (Breeder) stage



23A pair of vermi copulating



24

Life Span1-2 years in natureMore than 10 years in captivity

The African nightcrawler can grow to more than 30 cm in length and 3 grams each

Growth Rate

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTJuly 14 2010


25

Moisture (40-80%) bacteriagratory

Oxygen needed for respiration Not water-logged

Aeration

For maintenance of body fluids (80% > of body weight)

Temperature Cold-blooded 20-30 C

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTJuly 14 2010


26

Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the soil

Active at night (nocturnal) Many are migratory

Organic Matter (decomposed plants and animal matter)

At least 2% to provide substrate for microorganisms C:N Ratio (proportions of carbon and nitrogen)

WHAT TURNS WORM OFF?July 14 2010


27

LightHeatToo much waterMeat

Egg shellsDomestic animal waste (dog cat, pig)

Tomato seeds

Citrus

Cheese

STEPS IN VERMICULTURE AND VERMICOMPOSTING

July 14 2010


28

1. Site Selection

The area must be shady, near water source, accessible to transportation and have abundant source of compost materials


July 14 2010


29

2. Wormbed preparationa. Clean and level the soil

b. Construct wormbeds and “trilis”

Kind of materials to be used and size of wormbeds to be constructed depend on choice of the project owner

c. Put empty sacks at the base of the wormbed

VERMI BEDSJuly 14 2010


30

Engr. Edgar ErumCity Heights, GSC



31




32




33

Bethel Trading CooperativePurok 6, Ligaya, GSC



34 Bethel Trading CooperativePurok 6, Ligaya, GSC



35

Elmar LaguindamPurok 6, Ligaya GSC



36




37




38




39

Capt. James ReamonLagao General Santos City

VERMI BEDS.

July 14 2010


40

International Care Ministry of the Philippines, Inc.Fatima, General Santos City



41

Source: A Livelihood Project for the Environment by the Inmates of Talisay City Jail Talisay City, Cebu BJMPRO - VII



42

General Santos City Food Terminal (“Bagsakan”


July 14 2010


43

3. Preparation of feeding materials

a. Selection of feeding materialsIdentify materials rich in nitrogen

Kakawate Katuray leaves Ipilipil Monggo Peanut Animal manure Other leguminous plants


July 14 2010


44

Identify materials rich in carbon

Grass Saw dust Rice straw Coco dust Corn stalks Paper Wood


July 14 2010


45

Choose either of the following combinations : shredded fresh grass + kakawate, ipil-ipil (3:1)

cow manure + sawdust (3:1)

manure + ipil-ipil or kakawate (2:1)

rice straw + manure (1:1)


July 14 2010


46

sawdust + ipil-ipil (3:1)

compost / rice straw + corn barn (1:1)

Engr. Edgar Erum’s Practice: 45% goat manure 45% coconut sawdust 10% carbonized rice hull

grasses + chicken manure (3:1)


July 14 2010


47

Elmar Laguindam’s Practice: A – plant wastes (banana bracts/ peels/leaves, rice straws, coco sawdust, madre de cacao/ipil-ipil leaves) + animal manure (3:1)

B - plant wastes (banana bracts madre de cacao/ ipil-ipil leaves + animal manure (1:1)


July 14 2010


48

b. Filing of substrates at the wormbeds: Mixed filing

Sandwich filing

c. Water the wormbeds


July 14 2010


49

d. Cover the vermibeds with plastic sheet , tarpaulin, laminated sacks to initiate anaerobic decomposition

e. Remove plastic sheet /tarpaulin or laminated sack after 15 days to lower the temperature of the substrate (aerobic decomposition)


July 14 2010


50

4. Introduction of vermi into the substrate

Scatter vermi at the vermibed at the rate of 1 kg per square meter

CARE AND MAINTENANCEJuly 14 2010


51

Conduct regular monitoring

Water wormbeds when necessary to

maintain moisture requirement of feeding substrates and vermi

Cover wormbeds with net or plant leaves to protect vermi from direct sunlight and predators (duck, chicken, turkey, birds and other animals)

HARVESTINGJuly 14 2010


52

Harvest the vermi, vermicast and vermicompost after 2 to 3 months

a. Handpicking Pick the worms by hand, put the harvested worms in a container and transfer them to a new bed. Sift the vermicompost if finer compost is desired.



53

Feed on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in the soil Active at night (nocturnal) Many are migratory

b. Pyramid piling of vermicompost

Pile the vermicompost in pyramid, let it stay for 1 day so that worms will go down the bottom pile to easily harvest the top part, when bottom portion is reached, worms can be easily extracted manually.



54


c. Moving of contents to one side

Move the contents of the whole bed to one side and fill the other half with new compost materials. The worms will move to the new food. Harvest the casts/compost left by the worms.



55


d. Use of fresh food in an onion/garlic bag

Fill an onion/garlic bag with fresh food then bury in the bed for a week. Worms will transfer in the bag for new food. Empty the bag in a new wormbed. Harvest the casts/compost.



56


e. Use of screen

Put screen on top of the bed then put fresh food on top of the screen. Worms will go up the screen for fresh food. Remove the screen and put it on top of a new worm bed. The worms will move down the bed for a new food. Harvest the cast/compost in the bed left by the worms.Note: If finer compost is desired, sift the vermicompost with a 3/16” mesh wire

POST-HARVEST HANDLING

July 14 2010

57

Air-dry newly harvested vermicast/vermicompost) Many are migratory

Avoid vermi, vermicast and vermicompost from exposure to sunlight

Pack air-dried vermicast/ vermicompost and store in a cool and dry place or store in a concrete storage or box or ventilated building


POST-HARVEST HANDLING

July 14 2010


58

For longer storage, water thevermicast/vermicompost to maintain the nutrients and enzymes present in the vermicast/ vermicompost

July 14 2010


59

Take good care of your worms and they will

multiply and make lots of beautiful odorless, non-toxic vermicompost

fertilizer.

July 14 2010


60

END

Vermi presentation edited 062411

Entertainment & Humor

Transcript of Vermi presentation edited 062411