12.3.2 Methods of Vermicomposting
Vermicompost can be mainly produced by two methods: pit method and windrow
method.
1. Pit method is commonly used for small-scale production of vermicompost. These
steps can be followed:
(a) Construct a pit of 3 Â 2 Â 1 m size (L Â W Â D) over the ground surface
using bricks. Size of the pit may vary as per availability of raw materials.
(b) Fill the pit with the following five layers:
• First layer—paddy straw or other crop residues of 5–6 cm which will be
used for providing aeration to the pit.
• Second layer—sand or sandy soil of 20 cm. This layer helps to drain excess
water from the pit.
• Third layer—garden soil up to 20 cm to provide bedding to the earthworms.
• Fourth layer—15 to 30 days of cattle dung at a thickness of 20 cm. This
helps in initiating microbial activity.
• Fifth layer—predigested organic waste about 25 cm.
Inoculate earthworm at 1000 worms per square meter area or 10 kg earthworm in 100 kg of organic matter. Spray water on the bed and gunny bag.
Maintain 40–60% moisture of the pit by periodical water spraying.
2. Windrow method is widely used for large-scale production of vermicompost.
These steps can be followed:
(a) Load the organic wastes in the form of bed (preferably 10 ft L Â 3 ft W Â 1.5 ft
H ). Size of the bed may vary as per availability of organic waste.
(b) After loading, the fresh bed should be covered with jute mat or dry agriculture
wastes such as rice bran, banana leaf, maize residue, etc.
(c) Sprinkle water over the covered vermibed to maintain 40% moisture in bed.
(d) Bed should be mixed thoroughly to prevent it from becoming compact.
(e) The first lot of vermicompost is ready for harvesting after 2–2.5 months, and
the subsequent lots can be harvested after every 6 weeks of loading.
(f) Watering of bed should be stopped for at least 2–3 days before harvesting.
Earthworms go down in the moist soil, and the compost is collected from the
top without disturbing the lower layers of vermibed having earthworm.
Vermicompost harvested will be of dark brown colour and free flowing.
(g) The harvested compost should be stored in a dark and cold place.
12 Vermicomposting of Parthenium hysterophorus L.: A Solution to Weed. . .
201
Vermicompost can be mainly produced by two methods: pit method and windrow
method.
1. Pit method is commonly used for small-scale production of vermicompost. These
steps can be followed:
(a) Construct a pit of 3 Â 2 Â 1 m size (L Â W Â D) over the ground surface
using bricks. Size of the pit may vary as per availability of raw materials.
(b) Fill the pit with the following five layers:
• First layer—paddy straw or other crop residues of 5–6 cm which will be
used for providing aeration to the pit.
• Second layer—sand or sandy soil of 20 cm. This layer helps to drain excess
water from the pit.
• Third layer—garden soil up to 20 cm to provide bedding to the earthworms.
• Fourth layer—15 to 30 days of cattle dung at a thickness of 20 cm. This
helps in initiating microbial activity.
• Fifth layer—predigested organic waste about 25 cm.
Inoculate earthworm at 1000 worms per square meter area or 10 kg earthworm in 100 kg of organic matter. Spray water on the bed and gunny bag.
Maintain 40–60% moisture of the pit by periodical water spraying.
2. Windrow method is widely used for large-scale production of vermicompost.
These steps can be followed:
(a) Load the organic wastes in the form of bed (preferably 10 ft L Â 3 ft W Â 1.5 ft
H ). Size of the bed may vary as per availability of organic waste.
(b) After loading, the fresh bed should be covered with jute mat or dry agriculture
wastes such as rice bran, banana leaf, maize residue, etc.
(c) Sprinkle water over the covered vermibed to maintain 40% moisture in bed.
(d) Bed should be mixed thoroughly to prevent it from becoming compact.
(e) The first lot of vermicompost is ready for harvesting after 2–2.5 months, and
the subsequent lots can be harvested after every 6 weeks of loading.
(f) Watering of bed should be stopped for at least 2–3 days before harvesting.
Earthworms go down in the moist soil, and the compost is collected from the
top without disturbing the lower layers of vermibed having earthworm.
Vermicompost harvested will be of dark brown colour and free flowing.
(g) The harvested compost should be stored in a dark and cold place.
12 Vermicomposting of Parthenium hysterophorus L.: A Solution to Weed. . .
201