6.4 Vermitechnology: Role of Earthworms
in the Management of Solid and Liquid Waste
‘Vermi’ is a Latin term for “worm” and the technology using earthworm for the
management and processing of waste is called vermitechnology. It has been classified into two types based on the management of waste:
(a) Vermicomposting—for the management of solid waste
(b) Vermifiltration—for the management of liquid waste or wastewater
6.4.1 Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting simply means composting using earthworms. Hand et al. (1988)
reported that vermicomposting is a safe, hygienic, and cost-effective technique for
the disposal or management of solid organic wastes. According to Hemalatha
(2013), vermicomposting is the combination of biological processes, design, and
techniques in which one or more species of earthworms are cultured in large
quantities to speed up the stabilization of organic waste materials, when eaten,
ground, and digested with the help of other microorganisms like bacteria, fungi,
and other smaller animals. Earthworms are used to decompose or convert organic
waste into a dark brown nutrient-rich by-product called vermicompost. According to
Tomati et al. (1995), Lim et al. (2016) stated that earthworm during
vermicomposting stabilized and decomposed the organic residue or organic matter
and produces organic fertilizer. According to Sim and Wu (2010), vermicomposting
process involves the associations between the earthworms and microorganisms in
biodegradation of organic waste at a faster rate. According to Domínguez (2004),
intensive interaction between earthworms with microorganisms and other fauna
within the decomposer community, thereby strongly affecting decomposition processes, also accelerates the stabilization of organic matter and leads to great modification in its physical and biochemical properties. Vermicomposting is also called as
the bio-oxidative process. Earthworms decomposed organic waste by fragmenting
and modifying the substrate; as a result, they serve as the main drivers in this process.
By doing so, the surface area of organic waste accessible to microorganisms is raised
by earthworms. Thus, Lim et al. (2016) stated that the cycle of microbial development and decomposition of solid waste is improved during this vermicomposting.
According to Lim et al. (2015), vermicompost or earthworm cast obtained after
vermicomposting has a low C/N ratio, high porosity, and water-holding capacities
and can be used as plant nutrients. Thiruneelakandan and Subbulakshmi (2014)
reported that vermicompost obtained after vermicomposting contains a rich amount
of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, organic carbon, vitamins,
enzymes, and antibiotics which are considered to improve the quality and yield of
the plant. The performance of the vermicomposting process is also determined by
96
S. I. Singh et al.
in the Management of Solid and Liquid Waste
‘Vermi’ is a Latin term for “worm” and the technology using earthworm for the
management and processing of waste is called vermitechnology. It has been classified into two types based on the management of waste:
(a) Vermicomposting—for the management of solid waste
(b) Vermifiltration—for the management of liquid waste or wastewater
6.4.1 Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting simply means composting using earthworms. Hand et al. (1988)
reported that vermicomposting is a safe, hygienic, and cost-effective technique for
the disposal or management of solid organic wastes. According to Hemalatha
(2013), vermicomposting is the combination of biological processes, design, and
techniques in which one or more species of earthworms are cultured in large
quantities to speed up the stabilization of organic waste materials, when eaten,
ground, and digested with the help of other microorganisms like bacteria, fungi,
and other smaller animals. Earthworms are used to decompose or convert organic
waste into a dark brown nutrient-rich by-product called vermicompost. According to
Tomati et al. (1995), Lim et al. (2016) stated that earthworm during
vermicomposting stabilized and decomposed the organic residue or organic matter
and produces organic fertilizer. According to Sim and Wu (2010), vermicomposting
process involves the associations between the earthworms and microorganisms in
biodegradation of organic waste at a faster rate. According to Domínguez (2004),
intensive interaction between earthworms with microorganisms and other fauna
within the decomposer community, thereby strongly affecting decomposition processes, also accelerates the stabilization of organic matter and leads to great modification in its physical and biochemical properties. Vermicomposting is also called as
the bio-oxidative process. Earthworms decomposed organic waste by fragmenting
and modifying the substrate; as a result, they serve as the main drivers in this process.
By doing so, the surface area of organic waste accessible to microorganisms is raised
by earthworms. Thus, Lim et al. (2016) stated that the cycle of microbial development and decomposition of solid waste is improved during this vermicomposting.
According to Lim et al. (2015), vermicompost or earthworm cast obtained after
vermicomposting has a low C/N ratio, high porosity, and water-holding capacities
and can be used as plant nutrients. Thiruneelakandan and Subbulakshmi (2014)
reported that vermicompost obtained after vermicomposting contains a rich amount
of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, organic carbon, vitamins,
enzymes, and antibiotics which are considered to improve the quality and yield of
the plant. The performance of the vermicomposting process is also determined by
96
S. I. Singh et al.