A review on vermicomposting: by-products and its importance

Abstract

Vermicomposting is a process of decomposition of organic waste with the help of earthworms yielding a better end product called Vermicast. Vermicompost is considered an organic fertilizer as it is rich in nutrient and acting as a soil conditioner. The water soluble nutrients of vermicompost increase more available forms of nutrients including having some better soil structures, such as drainage. Earthworm ingests organic wastes which include scarp papers, farmyard manure, crop residues, residues of food and leftovers, and yard trimmings and transforms into valuable products such as worm meal, vermicast tea, and worm casting, etc. Moreover, vermicompost acts as an organic fertilizer and biological control agent conquering many plant diseases caused by soil-borne plant pathogen and pests. Other soil indicators, such as nitrogen and C/N ratio can be improved by the application of vermicomposting. Some adversary effect of heavy metals can be reduced as well. It also provides a lot of useful bacteria with varieties of advantages. However, some drawbacks like producing some harmful greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and methane occurs. Never the less, it is concluded that indigenously prepared earthworm’s vermicompost is still superior over conventionally prepared composts as it carries at least 4 times of nutrient comparing with conventional cattle dung compost.