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The
waste to be treated is loaded on the vermibeds. The frequency and
the limits of loading the waste can vary as
below:
Frequency
Loading
Daily
2”(inch)/bed/day
In
bulk 12-15”inch) (3-4 q/bed/cycle of about 45 days)
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The
loaded waste is finally covered with a jute mat to protect
earthworms from birds & insects.
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Water
is sprinkled on the vermibeds daily according to requirements
and season to keep them moist. Moisture should be about 40
percent.
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The
waste is turned upside down fortnightly without disturbing the
basal layer (vermibed)
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The
appearance of black granule crumbly powder on the top of
vermibeds indicates harvest stage of the compost. Watering is
stopped for at least 5 days before harvesting at this stage. The
earthworms go down & the compost is collected. The first lot
of vermicompost is ready for harvesting after 2-2 ½ months and
the subsequent lots can be harvested after every 4-6 weeks of
loading depending upon the type of waste treated.
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The
vermibed is loaded for the next treatment cycle.
Small
Scale Vermicomposting
Methodology:
The
details for setting up a standard unit for vermicomposting of
household garbage of 5-member family is as below:
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Non-biodegradable
waste such as glass, metal & plastic is to be separated out
of the source by the resident.
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Two
wooden/plastic containers having 10-15 drain holes.
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The
formation of base would be same as incase of large-scale unit.
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Initially
is bucket is loaded with cow dung for 30 days than kitchen
loading is started.
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The
loading weight would be 500g of kitchen waste daily (addition of
citric food, cooked food should be avoided).
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After
the bucket is completely filled in, it is left for 30 days till
compost is ready after which the compost is harvested and the
bucket is reloaded.
Some
other important points related to vermicomposting are listed below
which have been compiled based on the queries frequently received on
this subject:
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The
earthworms do not crawl out of the treatment site provide they
are given proper moisture, ventilation, and food with proper
breeding.
-
The
vermicomposting does not stink if to is properly maintained.
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The
earthworms can be safely touched as they do not cause allergy
and don’t bite.
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The
earthworms are bisexual and can produce at very fast rate. A
pair of earth worms can produce 1500 off springs in six months
under laboratory conditions
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Earth
worms are available with PSCST at Rs 1200/kg
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The
treatment unit does not attract flies if is properly maintained.
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The
vermicompost is black, granular & earthly smelling.
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The
water requirement for vermicomposting unit is:
For large-scale unit: 100 liters per day (approx.)
For small-scale unit: 1 liter per day (approx.)
The
recommended doses of vermicompost for different crops are as under:
Cereals: 2 tons /acre
Pulses: 2-3 kg per plant up to the age of 2 yrs
Vegetables crops: 5 kg per plant above 2
yrs of age.
Potted plants :
3 parts soil and one part of vermicompost
For
Further Information You can contact us :
Punjab
State Council for Science and Technology
Adj. Sacred Heart School, Sector - 26,
Post Box No. 727, Chandigarh - 160019 (India)
Ph. +91-172-2793300, 2793600, 2793141
FAX - +91-172-2793143
Email :
pun-env@envis.nic.in
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