Vermicomposting on Organic Waste

Abstract

Earthworms play an important role in the cycling of plant nutrients, turnover the organic matter and maintain the soil structure. The decomposition of different types of organic substrates (household waste, agro-residues, and sludge) is able to be turned into valuable vermicompost. The percentage of, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in vermicompost was found to increase on different types of organic waste. Vermicompost is a finely divided, peat like material with high porosity, good aeration, drainage, water holding capacity, microbial activity, enriching of nutrients and buffering capacity thereby resulting the required physiochemical characters congenial for soil fertility and plant growth. Vermicomposting is a low-technology, environmentally-friendly process used to treat organic waste. Moreover, certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of organic waste conversion and produce a better end product. The Earthworm species Pheretima peguana were especially used in Thailand.