SETTING UP OF A VERMIWASH UNIT

Vermiwash units can be set up either in barrels or in buckets or even in small earthen pots. It is the principle that is important. The procedure explained here is for setting up of a 250 litre barrel.

An empty barrel with one side open is taken. On the other side, a hole is made to accommodate the vertical limb of a 'T' jointed tube in a way that about half to one inch of the tube projects into the barrel. To one end of the horizontal limb is attached a tap. The other end is kept closed. This serves as an emergency opening to clean the 'T' jointed tube if it gets clogged. The entire unit is set up on a short pedestal made of few bricks to

facilitate easy collection of vermiwash.

Keeping the tap open, a 25 cm layer of broken bricks or pebbles is placed. A 25 cm layer of coarse sand then follows the layer of bricks. Water is then made to flow through these layers to enable the setting up of the basic filter unit. On top of this layer is placed a 30 to 45 cm layer of loamy soil. It is moistened and into this are introduced about 50 numbers each of the surface (epigeic) and sub-surface (anecic) earthworms. Cattle dung pats and hay is placed on top of the soil layer and gently moistened. The tap is kept open for the next 15 days. Water is added every day to keep the unit moist. 

On the 16th day, the tap is closed and on top of the unit a metal

container or mud pot perforated at the base as a sprinkler is suspended. 5 litres of water (the volume of water taken in this container is one fiftieth of the size of the main container) is poured into this container and allowed to gradually sprinkle on the barrel overnight. This water percolates through the compost, the burrows of the earthworms and gets collected at the base. The tap of the unit is opened the next day morning and the vermiwash is collected. The tap is then closed and the suspended pot is refilled with 5 litres of water that evening to be collected again the following morning. Dung pats and hay may be replaced periodically based on need. The entire set up may be emptied and reset between 10 and 12 months of use. 

Vermiwash is diluted with water (10%) before spraying. This has been found to be very effective on several plants. If need be vermiwash may be mixed with cow's urine and diluted (1 litre of vermiwash, 1 litre of cow's urine and 8 litres of water) and sprayed on plants to function as an effecting foliar spray and pesticide.VERMIWASH ANALYSIS REPORT

pH 7.48 ± 0.03

Electro conductivity dS/m 0.25 ± 0.03

Organic Carbon % 0.008 ± 0.001

Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen % 0.01±0.005

Available Phosphate % 1.69 ± 0.05

Potassium (ppm) 25 ± 2

Sodium (ppm) 8 ± 1

Calcium (ppm) 3 ± 1

Copper (ppm) 0.01 ± 0.001

Ferrous (ppm) 0.06 ± 0.001

Magnesium (ppm) 158.44 ± 23.42

Manganese (ppm) 0.58 ± 0.040

Zinc (ppm) 0.02 ± 0.001

Total Heterotrophs (CFU/ml) 1.79 x 103

Nitrosomonas (CFU/ml) 1.01 x 103

Nitrobacter (CFU/ml) 1.12 x 103

Total Fungi (CFU/ml) 1.46 x 103ality of Vermiwashiwash

monitoring functionality of vermiwashFeeding:Once in each five days.Vermi Mortality:1. Proper aeration is ensured by providing a little gap between 2 pots to avoid suffocationof the Vermi.2. Raw cow dung slurry is used at the top most layer and not on the middle layer.Safety Factors:Neem oil is applied at the base of the tripod stand to avoid ant attack.Storing of Vermiwash:1. Normally vermiwash is stored by the farmers in glass container which degrades the

quality (to be stored in covered earthen containers).2. Diluted vermiwash is stored by the farmers, which would not be very effective (theywere advised to apply immediately after diluting).3. Farmers spray the vermiwash by the sprayer used previously for spraying chemicals/pesticides by which the quality of vermiwash become ineffective (they were told toproperly clean the sprayer before spraying vermiwash

VERMI-WASHThe training programs on Vermi-wash havebeen organized for the farmers of the projectarea to practice the same in the demo plots.The training included elaboration on theprocess of vermi-wash preparation, followed by practical demonstration.The following benefits on the use of vermiwashwere discussed with the participants:8 Increase in the rate of photo synthesis incrop/plant.8 Increase in the number of microorganismin the soil.8 Increase in the crop yield.8 Increase in pest resistance.8 Increase in the rate ofdecomposition of compost.

 Selection of right type of worms:  The most important worms are as follows;    Exotic worms- a) Eisenia foetida- Red worm, tiger worm                            b) Eudrillus euginae- Night crawler    Local worms- a) Perionyx excavates                           b) Perionyx sansbaricus

Vermiwash- the best tonic for plants

Vermiwash is a very good plant tonic which can be used for foliar spray. Vermiwash units can be set up either in barrels or in buckets or even in small earthen pots. It is the principle that is important. An empty bucket with one side open is taken. On the other side, a hole is made to accommodate the vertical limb of a ''T'' jointed tube in a way that about half to one inch of the tube projects into the bucket. To one end of the horizontal limb is attached a tap. The other end is kept closed. This serves as an emergency opening to clean the ''T'' jointed tube if it gets clogged. The entire unit is set up on a stand made of few bricks or wood to facilitate easy collection of vermiwash. Keeping the tap open, a 25 cm layer of broken bricks or pebbles is placed. A 25 cm layer of coarse sand then follows the layer of bricks. Water is then made to flow through these layers to enable the setting up of the basic filter unit. On top of this layer is placed a 30 to 45 cm layer of loamy soil. It is moistened and into this are introduced about 50 numbers each of the surface (epigeic) and sub-surface (anecic) earthworms. Cattle dung pats and hay is placed on top of the soil layer and gently

moistened. The tap is kept open for the next 15 days. Water is added every day to keep the unit moist. On the 16th day, the tap is closed and on top of the unit a metal container or mud pot perforated at the base as a sprinkler is suspended. 5 litres of water (the volume of water taken in this container is one fiftieth of the size of the main container) is poured into this container and allowed to gradually sprinkle on the barrel overnight. This water percolates through the compost, the burrows of the earthworms and gets collected at the base. The tap of the unit is opened the next day morning and the vermiwash is collected. The tap is then closed and the suspended pot is refilled with 5 litres of water that evening to be collected again the following morning. Vermiwash is diluted with water (10%) and sprayed on plants to function as an effecting foliar spray and pesticide.

Source: http://www.shvoong.com/exact-sciences/agronomy-agriculture/1795939-vermiwash-best-tonic-plants/#ixzz1OsgyB2zp

Description English: Red wiggler

Date2006-12-11 (original upload date)

SourceOriginally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here.

AuthorMihai Duguleana; Original uploader was Mihaidu at en.wikipedia

Permission(Reusing this file) Released into the public domain (by the author).

[edit]

VERMIWASHThe vermiwash is a liquiform biocompost, which isapplied on vegetables, agricultural and horticultural cropsthrough sprinkling. The compost consists of necessaryingredient for plant growth and development in terms ofnitrogen, potassium, phosphorus etc. In addition,vermiwash contains various macro-micro elements andgrowth hormones and is proved to be most suitedliquiform compost for plant growth and also used aspesticide in leafy vegetables.Technical detailsVermiwash unit can be constructed as per availability ofmaterials i.e. drum or bucket. In order to build vermiwash unit, five drums are taken. The drums are putin such a fashion that four drums are in a strait line and the fifth one is kept approximately one meterhigh. The drum, which is kept at higher place, is connected with all four drums with rubber pipe. On thebottom of each drum one-inch perforation is created and fitted with the nipple. Each nipple of fourdrums are connected with a pipe and collected with a smaller drum. The drum, which is kept at higherplace, is filled up with water. All four drums are filled with the materials in an order with the lowermost layer (25-30cm thick)containing mortar of bricks and stone, IInd layer of concrete ( 10-15cmthick), IIIrd layer layer of soil (25-30 cm thick)and IVth layer of silt (10-20cm thick). Now the top layerof 30cm of the drum is packed with earthworms and fresh dung. Now each drum is covered with a 10-15

cm thick layer of straw to maintain moisture and temperature inside the drum required for earthwormsurvival. All four drums are connected with water pipe from the drum to supply water properly. Thewater should be made available in dropping form. Vermiwash of the four drums is collected in to a smalldrum. About 4-5-litre vermiwash can be collected in a day, and can be sprinkled on the crops as liquidcompost. Diluting the mixture of vermiwash and cowdung with tenfold water and sprinkling it on cropsserves as a pesticide.Cost benefit analysisThe cost-benefit analysis of vermiwash unit construction (brick/stone, drums, sand, earthworms etc.) andvermiwash production including earthworms etc. were calculated based on the prevailing daily wagelabour rates and market value/rates of organic pesticides/fertilizers.

Cost- benefit analysis Rs/year/household for vermiwash preparation in a pot size of 50 litre.Due to higher cost involved in construction of vermiwash unit the monetary return was obtained in negative infirst year whereas in 2nd and 3rd year the monetary return was obtained very low.AdoptionThe vermiwash could not be adopted as it failed to evoke interest in local farmers and thus could not bepopularized.AdvantagesIt helps in enhancing the number of macro-micro organisms and essential elements in soil for growthand development of the plants. It acts as pesticides, and degraded land can be reclaimed into fertilethrough application of vermiwash.

VERMI-WASHIt is a liquid manure obtained from earthworms and is used as a foliar spray. It contain plant growth hormones like auxins and cytokinins apart from nitrogen, phosphorus potash and other micro-nutrients.

Methods of preparation

1. Select one sufficiently large container made of concrete or plastic bucket

or earthen pot.

2. Drill a hole at the base of the container to fix a tab to it.

3. A base layer of gravel or broken small pieces of bricks are place to a

height of 10-15 cm.

4. Above the gravel layer another layer of coarse sand of 1-15 cm is put.

5. On the coarse sand layer place 40-45 cm pre-decomposed organic wastes

and moistens the different layer by using water.

6. Introduce about 2000 Nos of earthworms into the container.

7. To get vermiwash continuously suspend a mud pot or a small bucket with

some holes. Cotton wicks/or bamboo sticks are place in the holes so that

water can trickle down.

8. Fill the container with 4-5 lits water everyday.

9. After 10 days vermiwash starts forming in the container.

10. Everyday about 3-4 lits of vermiwash can be collected.

APPLICATIONS

1. Dilute 1 lits of vermiwash with 4-5 lits of water and spray as foliar spray

during the late evening hours.

2. A mixture of vermiwash (1 lit ) with cow urine (1 lit) in 10 lits of water acts

as bio-pesticide and liquid manure.

BENEFITSIt acts as a plant tonic and help to reduce many plant diseases.

2.4 Utility of vermicompost, vermiwash and in situ vermiculturein pest managementThere is no much information available on the effect of vermicompost, vermiwash andin situ vermiculture on the activity of insect - pests in soybean and jasmine crops in whichpresent investigations were made. However, information available on other crops is reviewedand presented. Besides, a single report on soybean pod borer which is available is alsopresented.

Effect of substrates and earthworm species on nutrient status ofvermiwashpH and ECpH of vermiwash ranged from 7.20 to 8.0 (Table. 13). Comparison of differentsubstrates on the pH of vermiwash revealed that, kitchen waste + E. eugeniae recorded lowerpH (7.00) followed by kitchen waste + P.excavatus. Significantly higher pH was recorded inweed waste + P. excavatus and weed waste + E. eugeniae (8.00, 7.00,respectively).Vermiwash obtained from paddy straw + E. eugeniae recorded lower EC (1.20ds/m) followed by check + E. eugeniae (1.29 ds/m). Whereas, kitchen waste +E. eugeniae recorded higher EC (1.52ds/m).Organic carbonOrganic carbon content of vermiwash obtained from different substrates ranged from0.004 to 0.085. It was significantly least in weed waste + E. eugeniae (0.004) followed byweed waste + P. excavatus (0.005), paddy straw + P. excavatus (0.060), soybean postharvest waste + P. excavatus (0.078) and was highest in soybean post harvest waste + E.eugeniae (0.085).Primary nutrientsThe data pertaining to the nutrient status of primary elements in vermiwash isfurnished in Table 14. Among different substrates, vermiwash obtained from paddy strawrecorded maximum nitrogen (30.61ppm), being on par with check (30.42ppm) and soybeanpost harvest waste (29.33ppm). Between the earthworm species,E. eugeniae was found superior by recording highest nitrogen (28.67ppm) compared to P.excavatus (25.93ppm). Interaction effect of substrates and earthworm species was also foundsignificant. Check substrate + E. eugeniae and paddy straw + E .eugeniae recordedmaximum nitrogen (33.00 ppm). But, vermiwash extracted from processed kitchen waste wasfound slightly inferior in nitrogen status.Effect of substrates on phosphorous content of vermiwash revealed that, it wassignificantly high in check (18.97ppm) followed by paddy straw (17.73 ppm) and kitchenwaste (15.30 ppm). Between the earthworm species, E.eugeniae andP. excavatus recorded almost same amount (16.75 &16.40 ppm) of phosphorous, being onpar with each other. Interaction effect was non significant.High potassium content (107.00 ppm) was recorded when weed waste was used as asubstrate followed by check (85.00 ppm) and it was least in case of paddy straw(55.33 ppm).Also, K content of the vermiwash from processed substrates did not differ significantly with

Physio-chemical properties and organic carbon content of vermiwash produced by using different substrates and earthworm speciespH EC (dS/m) Organic carbon (%)TreatmentsP. excavatus E. eugeniae P. excavatus E. eugeniae P. excavatus E. eugeniaePaddy straw 7.50 7.26 1.29 1.20 0.060 0.060Soybean postharvest waste7.56 7.50 1.38 1.34 0.078 0.085Kitchen waste 7.20 7.00 1.49 1.52 0.080 0.070Weed waste 8.00 7.90 1.35 1.42 0.005 0.004Check 7.40 7.50 1.30 1.28 0.060 0.060

HiH - Solid Waste Mgmt - 03b - Vermi-wash demo

Vermiwash

We present organic vermiwash that is used in assortment of agricultural uses such as for the enhancement of growth of plants. In addition to this, this organic vermiwash is also utilized for reducing the water amount that is required during irrigation. Apart from this, it also has the capacity to encounter worms thereby saving crops and their productivity.

Organic Liquid sprays

Liquid manure is often regarded as the best among manures. Organic composts and other solid manures are great but they have one drawback over conventional soluble manures - they take a while to break down in the soil and become available to plants. So, for the successful growing of heavy feeding crops the judicious use of liquid manures has a effective role. This is particularly so in soils that have only recently been brought into production, and where a preparatory green manure crop has not been grown. Liquid organic manures are pure in nature, safe, non-toxic, non-chemical and has no side effects and residue, and

can be applied to all crops (such as rice, vegetable, fruit, sugarcane, banana, flower, seedling. etc) and edible Fungi.

Vermiwash is a liquid spray collected after passage of water through a column of worm culture. It is very useful as a foliar spray for all crops. It is a collection of excretory products and excess secretions of earthworms along with micronutrients from soil organic molecules.   Vermiwash is a watery extract of compost, the wash of earthworms present in the medium. Earthworm body is long tubular type Measure portion of this body is filled up with this Celomic fluid. Celomic fluid is always secreted from the body of earthworms and always keeps the body of wet. We can collect Celomic fluid of earthworms and this is called vermiwash. 

This Celomic fluid helps earthworms in respiration. Atmospheric Oxygen while it passes through this fluid is purified with the help of fluid and finally absorbed in the body of the earthworms. Celomicites, Granulocites and Limphoidocites cells are present in the Celomic fluid. This helps in healing of wounds of earthworms and gives imitation power to earthworms. No pathogens can survive in this fluid, thereby protecting earthworms from the diseases caused due to pathogens.  Soluble Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash are the main nutrients in vermi wash. Hormones such as Cytokinins, Oxyn etc., Amino Acid, Vitamins, Enzymes, some other secretions and many useful microbes such as heterotrophic bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes including nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilisers are present in the vermiwash. The earthworm vermiwash is rich in dissolved nutrients. Amino Acids in the vermiwash are easily available for plants. Vermicomposting system is suitably designed for easy collection of vermiwash.

Vermiwash was found to contain enzyme cocktail of proteases, amylases, urease and phosphatase. Microbiological study of vermiwash revealed that it contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Azotobactrer sp., Agrobacterium sp. and Rhizobium sp. and some phosphate solublizing bacteria. Laboratory scale trial showed effectiveness of vermiwash on Cowpea plant growth.

Vermi wash- a plant growth regulatorVermi wash is a liquid plant growth regulator, which contains high amount of enzymes,vitamins and hormones like auxins, gibberellins etc along with macro and micronutrientsused as foliar spray.Methods of preparation1. Take one big bucket and one mug.2. Set up one stop cork on the lower most part of the bucket.3. Put a layer of broken bricks, pieces of stones having thickness of 10-15 cm in thebucket.4. Over this layer put another layer of sand having thickness of 10-15 cm.5. Then put a layer of partially decomposed cow dung having 30-45 cm thicknessover it.6. Then put another layer of soil having 2-3 thicknesses.7. Now open the stopcock of the bucket and when the materials taken in the bucket.8. Then put 100-200 nos. of earthworms in the bucket.

9. After that, a layer of paddy straw having 6 cm thickness is given.

10. Now open the stopcock of the bucket and spray water regularly for a period of 7-8 days.11. After 10 days the liquid vermin wash will be produced in the bucket.12. Hang one pot with a bottom hole over the bucket in such a way so that water falls dropby drop.13. Every day 4-5 litres of water is to be poured in the hanging pot.14. Keep another pot under stop cork to collect the vermin wash. Every day 3-4 litresvermin wash can be collected.Application1. Mix 1 litres of vermin wash with 7-10 litres of water and spray the solution in theleaf (upper and lower side) in the evening at the growing the crop.2. Mix 1 litre of vermin wash with 1 litre of cow urine and then add 10 litres of waterto the vermin urine solution and mixed thoroughly and keep it over night beforespraying 50-60 litre of such solution and to be sprayed in one bigha of land tocontrol various crop diseases.

The vermiwash is an extract of earthworm body secretion and other bodily discharge, which is rich in plant nutrients in soluble form, plant grow hormones and antibiotics. The unit has supplied till date 800 litres of pure vermiwash.