12.2 Vermiculture · Part 3

earthworms can be handpicked by creating small conical heaps of harvested compost and leaving in sunlight for a few hours. The earthworms then move down and settle at the bottom of the heap as a cluster. Earthworms from the lower layers of the compost can be recovered and the worms can be transferred to new composting units. Vermiwash is a liquid collected after the passage of water through a column meter meter meter Figure . Vermiculture unit and Earthworms XI Std Biology-Zoology Chapter- of vermibed. It is useful as a foliar spray to enhance plant growth and yield. It is obtained from the burrows or drilospheres formed by earthworms. Nutrients, plant growth promoter substances and some useful microorganisms are present in vermiwash. Earthworms can be used for recycling of waste food, leaf, litter and biomass to prepare a good fertilizer in container known as wormery or wormbin . Earthworm Pests and Diseases Earthworms are subjected to attack by a variety of pests. Most outbreaks are the result of poor bed management. Earthworm enemies include ants, springtails, centipedes, slugs, mites, certain beetle larvae, birds, rats, snakes, mice, toads, and other insects or animals which feed on worms. The earthworm has a number of internal parasites including numerous protozoa, some nematodes, and the larvae of certain flies. Larger predators can be excluded from worm beds by proper construction of the bins, and by use of screens or gratings at the bottom and top of the beds. My vermicompost manufacturing unit is plagued by a number of red ants. Are there any bio-friendly measures to tackle the menace as I do not want to use any chemicals? Advantages of Using Vermicompost People are aware about benefits of organic inputs in farming. Vermicompost is excellent organic manure for sustainable agro- practices. So, marketing vermicompost is now a potential and flourishing industry. Retail marketing of vermicompost in urban areas is most promising. Vermicompost is neatly packed in designed and printed packets for sale. People of different age groups are involved in the production and selling of vermicompost.