Abstract

VERMICOMPOST: A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO CONVERT ORGANIC WASTE IN TO GREEN FERTILIZER

Saheli Roy*, Sujit Sharma, Nirjara Singhvi, Nabeel Ahmad and Arun Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Vermicomposting involves decomposing organic waste with earthworms to create a valuable material called Vermicompost. Vermicompost is considered an organic fertilizer due to its nutrient-rich content and ability to improve soil quality. Having water-soluble nutrients in vermicompost enhances access to various nutrients and improves soil texture, such as drainage. Earthworms consume items such as paper scraps, manure, crop leftovers, food residues, and yard trimmings and transform them into useful substances like worm meal, vermicast tea, and worm casting. Moreover, vermicompost serves as a natural fertilizer and biological control agent, combating various plant diseases caused by soil pathogens and pests. Vermicomposting has the potential to enhance soil indicators like nitrogen levels and C/N ratio. Certain negative impacts of heavy metals may also be mitigated. It offers numerous benefits to different beneficial bacteria too. Nevertheless, disadvantages are present, including the creation of harmful greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and methane. Nonetheless, locally produced earthworm vermicompost is deemed superior to traditional composts as it contains a minimum of 4 times more nutrients than standard cattle dung compost.

Keywords: Vermicompost, organic waste, earthworms, fertilizer, sustainable.