Vermitechnology for increasing crop yield
The Green Revolution in India encouraged indiscriminate use of fertilizers. As a result tropical soils, which are prone to nutrient loss are turning unproductive.
Now there is concern about sustaining productivity rather than enjoying the high but short-lived yields and financial returns. The productivity status of the soil is showing the same downward trend.
Different resources
Lack of manure availability in required quantities is forcing many farmers to look for different resources to build up the topsoil.
Vermitechnology has been proved worldwide to improve soil conditions and to restore the nutrient losses in the soil.
The species most commonly used is Eisenia foetida. It is ubiquitous and can colonize any type of leaf litter. They are tolerant to high temperatures and can be easily handled due to its small size.
African species
Often called tiger or red worm, they do not require soil at all. Edrilus euginea is another species, native to Africa. It grows fast and is a prolific breeder.
It is often employed for handling larger quantity of wastes and can tolerate temperatures below 16°C. Perionyx excavatus, is a local species which cannot tolerate temperature below 5°C. For tropical conditions it is an ideal species.
One advantage is that copulation is not mandatory for this worm species and red soil is commonly preferred.
Lampito mauritii species is difficult to maintain. It prefers sand, soil and silt along with cow dung and is not a prolific breeder. When compared to garden soil, vermicompost has five times more nitrogen, seven times phosphorus and eleven times more potassium.
Vermiwash, the liquid manure collected after passing water through a column of vermicompost is found to be useful as foliar spray and can be used for raising nurseries and orchids. The production of degradable organic waste and the problem of its disposal is a global problem.
To protect the topsoil, to restore the sustainability of productive soils, and to rejuvenate the degraded soils are the major concerns at the international level.
Minimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides or herbicides brings down the level of air, water and soil pollution.
For more information contact Dr. N. Sukumaran, Director, School Of Life Sciences, Vels University, Pallavaram, Chennai, email: sukumaran06@gmail.com, phone: 044- 2266 2500; mobile: 98651 24128.
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