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VermiCompost |
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| Earth Friendly and Effective | ||||||||
| What is it... | | | Application | | | "Quotes" | | | Findings | | | Raising Worms |
| Significant Findings: "Scientific studies show that worm worked composts have better texture and soil-enhancing properties; hold typically higher percentages of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous; and may offer plants disease-fighting properties." [Edwards, 1988] "Earthworm excrete (castings) are an excellent soil-conditioning material with high water holding capacity and a 'natural time release' for releasing nitrogen into the soil." [Harris, et al, 1990] "Among the blessings of castings, vermiphiles count on a smaller particle size than thermophilic compost, lower odor, enhanced microbial activity, and as a bonus, the vermicompost often contains worm cocoons, meaning a free work force for the future." [Riggle and Holmes, 1994] "An important feature is that during the processing of the wastes (manure) by earthworms, many of the nutrients they contain are changed to forms more readily taken up by plants, such as nitrate nitrogen, exchangeable phosphorus and soluble potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The most surprising result [of our research] was that even 5% of worm worked animal waste in the worm-worked waste/commercial mixture had a significant effect on the growth of plants." [Edwards and Lofty, 1977] "The results obtained for the germination index showed a beneficial effect of earthworms and the highest values of this index were recorded at the final stages of the process. The germination index was 65-70% higher in the treatments with earthworms than in the control (no earth worms)." Regarding heavy metals: "We found a decrease of between 35-55% of the bioavailable metals in two months." [Dominguez, 1997] In a study for the EPA, researchers reported, "Passage of organics through the earth worms gut significantly alters the physical structure of the material. Large particles are broken down into numerous smaller particles, with a resultant enormous increase in surface area. As a result of the increase in surface area, any remaining odor-producing sulfides are completely oxidized, microbial respiration is accelerated by a factor of 3, and salmonella bacteria are destroyed at a higher rate." [Camp, Dresser and McKee, 1980] "In sum, earth worms must not be seen as a "miracle pill", a panacea for better soil and crop yields, but as an integral part of intelligent organic soil management practices. As earthworms are dependent upon organic matter for food, and mulches for protection from heat, cold, and drought, so do growing plants depend upon the earthworm in combination with bacteria and other microorganisms to maintain and improve soil structure and fertility. When earthworms are seen as part of a living soil, existing in and contributing to a vital ecosystem, then the question of "whether earthworms create good soil, or good soil creates earthworms" becomes essentially meaningless. Our air is to improve our soils and grow higher yields of healthy crops, not to banter about academic questions. In this pursuit, the earthworm has beyond a doubt, found a treasured place in the organic scheme of gardening and farming." [Minnich, 1977] |
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