Organic Framing

Preparation of Vermicompost

• Pit size: 10 m x 1 m x 0.3 m
• In irrigated area and heavy rainfall areas – above ground.
• Drench with chloropyriphos @ 2 ml/lit of H2O. Leave for one week and then go for filling the pit in the following manner.

Fig : Dimensions and Composition of Vermicompost Pit

• Apply water @ 30 to 60 litres for 16 days. Leave 1000 to 2000 worms of suitable species (E. eugeniae) at about 10 cm depth.
• Worm multiplication and compost production will be higher if sugarcane trash, sunflower or bajra residues are used.
• Keep the pit always moist (30-60% moisture) by daily watering (@ 50 lit) during summer or twice a week during rainy season. Provide shade to the pit.
• Vermicompost production is seen after 45 days of leaving worms to the pit. It will be complete in 80-90 days. Residue will be converted to vermicompost (75%).
• To collect / take vermicompost from the pit, leave the pit without watering for about 3 days. Worm will move to deeper layer due to lack of moisture in the upper layer. Take out the compost from the upper layer and sieve the compost and store it in a gunny bag under shade.
• About 2 to 4 t vermicompost will be produced from one gunta area in 3 months and 6 to 12 t vermicompost will be produced from one gunta in one year.
• Earthworm complete their life cycle within 90 days by which time they multiply about 40 to 50 times. In vermicompost, eggs, nymphs and adults (all forms / stages) are found.