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Vermicompost, Its Importance and Benefit in Agriculture

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Vermicompost, Its Importance and Benefit in Agriculture Teadusartiklid / Research articles 93 Agraarteadus Journal of Agricultural Science 2 ● XXX ● 2019 93–98 2 ● XXX ● 2019 93–98 REVIEW: VERMICOMPOST, ITS IMPORTANCE AND BENEFIT IN AGRICULTURE Margit Olle Estonian Crop Research Institute, Jõgeva alevik, J. Aamissepa 1, 48309, Estonia Saabunud: 05.08.2019 ABSTRACT. Vermicomposting is described as "bioxidation and stabili- Received: zation of organic material involving the joint action of earthworms and Aktsepteeritud: 23.12.2019 mesophilic micro-organisms". Under appropriate conditions, worms eat Accepted: agricultural waste and reduce the volume by 40 to 60%. Vermicompost Avaldatud veebis: produced by the activity of earthworms is rich in macro and micro- 25.12.2019 Published online: nutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipase, cellulase and chitinase and immobilized microflora. The Vastutav autor: enzymes continue to disintegrate organic matter even after they have been Margit Olle Corresponding author: ejected from the worms. Reduced use of water for irrigation, reduced pest E-mail: [email protected] attack, reduced termite attack, reduced weed growth; faster rate of seed germination and rapid seedlings growth and development; greater Keywords: agriculture, growth, numbers of fruits per plant (in vegetable crops) and greater numbers of nutrient content, vermicompost, yield. seeds per year (in cereal crops) are only some of the beneficial effects of doi: 10.15159/jas.19.19 the vermicompost usage in agricultural production. Earthworms and vermicompost can boost horticultural production without agrochemicals. In spite of the benefits associated with vermicompost, its use is not widespread yet. This review attempts as increasing awareness of this local soil amendment. © 2019 Akadeemiline Põllumajanduse Selts. | © 2019 Estonian Academic Agricultural Society. Introduction faster rate of seed germination and rapid seedlings growth and development; greater numbers of fruits per In recent years, the disposal of organic wastes from plant (in vegetable crops) and greater numbers of seeds domestic, agricultural and industrial sources has caused per year (in cereal crops) are only some of the benefi- increasing environmental and economic problems and cial effects of the vermicompost usage in agricultural many different technologies to address this problem production (Anonymous, 2009). have been developed. The growth of earthworms in Pure vermicompost is not so good for agricultural organic wastes has been termed vermiculture and the production, because it contains too much nutrients processing of organic wastes by earthworms is known (Olle 2016a, Olle, 2017). as vermicomposting (Edwards, 2004). There is a The beneficial effects in using vermicompost based marked trend towards the use of novel technologies, substrates in agriculture (Olle, 2016b): it accelerates mainly based on biological processes, for recycling and growth; increases crop yields; creates a favorable efficient utilization of organic residues. Therefore, it is environment for beneficial micro-organisms; perma- possible to conserve the available resources and to nently improves soil structure; increases plant secre- recover the natural products, and in some cases, to tion; in case of plants with longer growing season, combat the disposal problems and minimize the additional fertilization with biohumus or its leotion is pollution effects. Vermicomposting has been arising as sufficient, provision of mineral fertilizers is not an innovative biotechnology for the conversion of agro- necessary in this case; 100% natural, ideal for use in industrial wastes into value added products, which can organic farming and in artificial environments. be utilized for improving the soil structure and fertility Therefore the author decided to give a literature in organic farming (Garg, Gupta, 2009). overview article about vermicompost, its importance Reduced use of water for irrigation, reduced pest and benefit in agriculture. attack, reduced termite attack, reduced weed growth; 94 Margit Olle What is vermicomposting? History Vermicomposting is generally defined as the solid Earthworm has caught imagination of philosophers phase decomposition of organic residues in the aerobic like Pascal and Thoreau (Adhikary, 2012). Civiliza- environment by exploiting the optimum biological tions, including Greece and Egypt valued the role activity of earthworms and microorganisms (Garg, earthworms played in soil. The ancient Egyptians were Gupta, 2009). the first to recognize the beneficial status of the Vermicomposting is described as "bioxidation and earthworm. The Egyptian Pharaoh, Cleopatra (69–30 stabilization of organic material involved by the joint B.C.) said, "Earthworms are sacred." She recognized action of earthworms and mesophilic micro-orga- the important role the worms played in fertilizing the nisms". Vermicompost produced by the activity of Nile Valley croplands after annual floods. Removal of earthworms is rich in macro and micronutrients, earthworms from Egypt was punishable by death. vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as prote- Egyptian farmers were not allowed to even touch an ases, amylases, lipase, cellulase and chitinase and earthworm for fear of offending the God of fertility. The immobilized microflora. The enzymes continue to Ancient Greeks considered the earthworm to have an disintegrate organic matter even after they have been important role in improving the quality of the soil. The ejected from the worms (Barik et al., 2011). Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 B.C.) referred to Vermicomposting involves the composting of organic worms as the intestines of the earth (Medany, 2011). wastes through earthworm activity. It has proven Sir Surpala (10 Cent. A.D., the ancient Indian successful in processing sewage sludge and solids from scientist) recommended to add earthworms to the soil wastewater, materials from breweries, paper waste, to receive sufficient yield of fruits as pomegranates urban residues, food and animal wastes, as well as hor- (Sinha, 2014b). ticultural residues from processed potatoes, dead plants Earthworms are truly justifying the beliefs and ful- and the mushroom industry (Dominguez, Edwars, filling the dreams of Sir Charles Darwin who called 2004). them as unheralded soldiers of humankind and friends Vermicomposting is a decomposition process in- of farmers and said that there may not be any other volving the joint action of earthworms and micro- creature in world that has played so important a role in organisms. Although microorganisms are responsible the history of life on earth (Sinha et al., 2014a). They for the biochemical degradation of organic matter, are also justifying the beliefs of great Russian scientist earthworms are crucial drivers of the process, by Dr. Anatoly Igonin (Sinha et al., 2014a), who said: fragmenting and conditioning the substrate and dra- Nobody and nothing can be compared with earthworms matically altering its biological activity. Earthworms and their positive influence on the whole living Nature; act as mechanical blenders and by comminuting the they create soil and improve soils fertility and provide organic matter they modify its physical and chemical critical biospheres functions: disinfecting, neutralizing, status, gradually reducing its C:N ratio, increasing the protective and productive (Sinha et al., 2014a). surface area exposed to micro-organisms and making it much more favourable for microbial activity and Composition and quality of vermicompost further decomposition. Greatly during passage through The agro-industrial wastes are huge source of plant the earthworm gut, they move fragments and bacteria- nutrients and their disposal means the ultimate loss of rich excrements, thus homogenizing the organic the resourceful material. Some agro-industrial pro- material. The end-product, or vermicompost, is a finely cessing wastes explored for vermicomposting are divided peat-like material with high porosity and water presented in Table 1. holding capacity that contains most nutrients in forms that are readily taken up by the plants. These earthworm Table 1. Potential agro-industrial processing wastes (Garg, casts are rich in organic matter and have high rates of Gupta, 2009) mineralization that implicates a greatly enhanced plant Agricultural wastes availability of nutrients, particularly ammonium and Rice husk, cereal residues, wheat bran, millet straw etc. nitrate (Dominguez, Edwars, 2004). Food processing waste The vermicomposting process different phases during Canning industry waste, breweries waste, dairy industry waste, sugar industry waste press mud and trash, wine industry waste, oil the process are as follows (Garg, Gupta, 2009): (1) industry waste-non edible oil seed cake, coffee pulp, cotton waste Initial pre-composting phase: The organic waste is pre- etc. composted for about 15 days before being fed to earth- Wood processing waste worms. During this phase, readily decomposable com- Wood chips, wood shavings, saw dust Other industrial wastes pounds are degraded and the potential volatile substan- Fermentation waste, paper and cellulosic waste, vegetal tannery ces are eliminated which may be toxic to earthworms. waste (2) Mesophilic phase: During this phase, earthworms, Local organic products through their characteristic functions of breaking up Cocofiber dust, tea wastes, rice hulls etc. organic matter, combine it with the soil particles and Fruits and vegetable processing waste enhance microbial activities and condition
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