Vermicomposting Explained: From Earthworm Stages to Vermiwash – Perfect for School & College Projects” complete vermicomposting guide

All-in-One Guide to Vermicomposting, Earthworm Lifecycle & Vermiwash – The Ultimate Student Project Resource for School Assignments & College Research

Explore every step from earthworm development to composting and vermiwash collection – perfect for science models, practicals, and sustainable farming projects.

🧠 Did You Know? – Fun Earthworm & Vermicomposting Facts

🪱 Earthworms don’t have eyes, but they can sense light, moisture, and vibrations.

• 🌧️ Rubbing sticks on moist soil or sprinkling water mimics rain — earthworms may come out sensing vibrations like real rainfall!

• 🐛 Earthworms breathe through their skin – not lungs! They need moisture to survive.

• 💩 Worm poop (called castings) is super rich in nutrients and works better than many chemical fertilizers.

• 🌿 Vermiwash acts like a plant energy drink – boosting growth, improving immunity, and repelling pests naturally.

• 🔁 A mature earthworm can lay 2 cocoons per week – each hatching 1–3 baby worms.

INTRODUCTION

Vermicomposting is manufacturing and generating organic manure with the use of earthworms, who act as the consumer of the organic matter and excrete castings, that is of higher quality when compared with other inorganic manure.

EARTHWORM

Earthworms are tubular , segmented, bristle bearing worms contributing to the biomass of soil invertebrates , they are called biological indicators of soil fertility.

LIFECYCLE OF EARTHWORMS

60 days

Cocoons  ➡️15 days incubation ➡️ hatchling ➡️ 15 days growth phase ➡️ non clitellate juveniles ➡️ 17 days growth phase ➡️ clitellates  ➡️ reproduction period ➡️ maturity 

➡️ 10 days ➡️ cocoons

SPECIES USED IN VERMICOMPOSTING

• Eisenia foetida (MOST COMMON)
• red wriggler, red worm, tiger,worm,vermicomposting worm etc.
• characters: Appear coloured and have clitellum that spreads over 7-9 segments from 24th to 32th segment.
• most widely used due to their hardy nature and easier culturing process.
• The average conversion efficiency ranges upto 7mg/worm/day
• Mature adults can attain up to 1.5 gram body weight and attain reproduction capacity within 50-55 days of hatching from cocoon.

ADVANTAGES

• act as bio fertilizer, restores soil nutrients, stabilizes soil, enhance fertility.
• allocates and repurposes the waste generated.
• reduce the use o harmful chemicals
• increases resistance to fungal disease and crop pathogens.
• eliminate odour and fly problem (whole process of vermicompost is odourless )

PROCESS OF VERMICOMPOSTING-

collection, sorting and separation of waste material  ➡️preliminary treatment of composting material  ➡️ layering of waste material🠞➡️ collection of earthworms after vermicompost collectio n(using seive) ➡️ storing of vermicompost

REQUIREMENTS OF VERMICOMPOSTING

1. container
2. bedding material
3. moisture content
4. temperature
5. ph
6. selection of right types of worms

MATERIALS USED

cow dung , husk,earthworm, rosecan , sieve , soil thermometer , psycrometer

PHASES

STEP 1 SELECT THE METHOD FOR VERMICOMPOSTING 

PIT METHOD : In this method the organic matter is collected in cemented pits

length- 21 feet ,width- 3 feet, depth- 2 feet

HDPE vermi-beds method : have  great strength, waterproofing, higher tear and puncture resistance , mould resistance.

length- 12 feet m, width- 4 feet; depth -2 feet

NEXT PHASE

• Collection and layering of waste
• turning and breaking of the clods
• addition of earthworms
• maintaining the humidity and temperature

WHAT IS VERMIWASH?

Vermiwash is a liquid extract obtained from the passage of water through a column of worm-rich vermicompost. It is a nutrient-rich bio-liquid containing enzymes, vitamins, mucus, plant growth regulators, and microbes secreted by earthworms.

LAST PHASE

sieving and packing

Step 1: Cow Dung Ball Trick

• You place a cow dung ball (half football size) in one corner of the compost.

• Earthworms gather near it to feed.

• After a few hours (or overnight), you scoop up that area to collect the worms easily.

• ✅ This is called "worm baiting".

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🔹 Step 2: Water Migration Method

• You sprinkle or pour water on one side of the pit.

• Earthworms dislike too much water, so they move to the drier side.

• You then collect the compost from the wet side (now worm-free).

• ✅ This is called "water migration" or "flooding method".

After removing the majority of earthworms, you can use a sieve to separate the remaining compost. The sieve should be of such size that neither cocoons nor larvae can pass through, ensuring they are not lost during the sieving process.

Nutrient Status of Vermicompost and Vermiwash

• The nutrient status of vermicompost and vermiwash as tested in lab:

    

Parameter	Vermicompost	Vermiwash
pH	7.43	7.70
EC (dSm⁻¹)	0.23	0.25
Nitrogen (N)	1.12	0.84
Phosphorus (P)	1.65	1.78
Potassium (K)	1.25	1.59

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Effect of Moisture Content

• ✓ Adequate moisture is crucial for microbial activity.

• ✓ A dry compost pile will not decompose efficiently, and excess water can create anaerobic conditions in the compost pit.

• ✓ The right moisture range is achieved when a few water drops of water can be squeezed from a handful of compost material.

Effect of Temperature

• ✓ Slow variations in temperature are necessary for worms to adapt.

• ✓ When temperature drops below 10°C:
  • Worms consume less food.
  • Worm activity decreases.

• ✓ When temperatures around 4–5°C:
  • Adult worms may cease production of cocoons.
  • Growth rate of younger worms slows down.

Effect of pH

• ✓ The recommended pH range for composting is 6.5 to 7.5.

• ✓ Worms are sensitive to pH and prefer a neutral environment.

APPLICATION OF VERMICOMPOST

• flower and garden pots- 100-200g/plot
• in horticulture-3-5kg/plant
• in agriculture-5-6t/ha

Technical & Project-Oriented FAQs

Q1. What is vermicomposting?
Using earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Q2. What is vermiwash?
A liquid collected from vermicompost systems, full of enzymes, microbes, and nutrients that promote plant growth.

Q3. What is the ideal pH and moisture for vermicomposting?
pH: 6.5 to 7.5; Moisture: 60–70% (like a wrung-out sponge).

Q4. How long does it take for an earthworm to mature?
About 45 to 60 days from cocoon to adult, depending on temperature and moisture.

Q5. Which worms are best for vermicomposting?
Eisenia fetida (red wigglers) – fast breeding and compost-loving worms.

Q6. Is vermiwash a fertilizer?
Not exactly – it's a bio-tonic that complements plant nutrition.

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😊 Fun & Simple FAQs for Beginners and Kids

Q7. Do earthworms bite?
Nope! They don’t have teeth and are totally safe to touch.

Q8. Can I touch them with bare hands?
Yes! Just be gentle. They are soft and harmless.

Q9. Why do worms come out during rain?
Because the ground becomes easier to move through, and they sense rain vibrations.

Q10. Can I keep a worm as a pet?
Yes, for learning! But they’re happiest in compost bins where they can eat and breed.

Q11. Do earthworms sleep?
Not like humans, but they rest and slow down, especially in cold or dry conditions.

Q12. Do they have eyes or ears?
No eyes or ears, but they feel their surroundings using skin and sensory cells.