1

University ofagricultural & horticultural

sciences,Navile, Shivamogga.

College Of Agriculture, Navile, Shivamogga

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that report entitled “compost preparation by
using GREEN LEAVES” submitted by Mr.MD KHURSHED ALAM with
ID NO.BA1TAC044 is record to work carried out by him for partial
fulfillment of course CMA406(0+5) under the guidance and
supervision of the course teacher.

Date:-25-04-2017
Place:- Shivamogga

Signature of Course Teacher

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to express our whole hearted appreciation and deep sense of

gratitude to our course teacher Dr. Narayan S Mavarkar associate
professor, Department of Agronomy for his valuable encouragement
continued calm endurance during the course of our studies and
completion of this report.

Date: 25-04-2017
Place: Shivamogga Signature of student
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CONTENTS

Sl. no Particulars Page no

1 Introduction 4

2 Review of literature 5-7

3 Materials and Methodology 8-10

4 Results 11

5 Discussion and Conclusion 12

6 Economics of vermicompost 12

7 Reference 13-17

8 Photos
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1. INTRODUCTION
Compost is a very vital input for the agriculture at present days. The soils if found to
lose its nutrients supplying capacity and has compelled the farmer to choose between
economically compatible proportion of both organic and inorganic inputs. The consumer at
present prefers the products tagged as organic in the market; rather most of the people in the
city have stopped visiting markets where vegetables and fruits are availed grown using
inorganics or a mixture of both. This increased health consciousness has led to tremendous
increase in the demand for organically grown food products.
Organic inputs such as compost, bio-products are available adulterated in the market
due to increased demand for them. Thus there is a need for the farmers to prepare the
compost in their farm itself which can efficiently recycle the farm wastes generated in a crop
production. It would be a step towards reducing the input costs and increase in production
there by returns.
Compost is a product of decomposition of plant and animal wastes with various
additives. The nutritional status of the compost relays mainly on the nutrients present in the
organic wastes added. Among various methods found in the process of conversion of organic
wastes to compost, vermicomposting is accepted to be novel and is sold for higher rates
compared to other farm compost. It is the process of composting aided by earthworms. Apart
from the various macro and micro nutrients present in the conventional compost it has
additionally plant growth promoting substances, vitamins, rich load of beneficial microbes
which indirectly help in the plant health. Vermicompost is found to impart biological
resistance to pathogens and insects when used in the crop production. The soils applied with
Vermicompost are found to be superior in physical and chemical properties which are
beneficial.
The present experiment project was taken up with four objectives; first one was to
assess the nutritional status of the Vermicompost prepared out of mixture of weeds and crop
wastes along with green leaves, cow dung and so on. The second objective was to know the
rate of conversion of organic wastes to Vermicompost. To study the multiplication rate of
earthworms and work out economics of the Vermicompost were the next two objectives
respectively.
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2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Hand et al. 1988 The worms secrete enzymes in their gizzard and intestine which
bring about rapid biochemical conversion of the cellulosic and the proteinaceous
materials in the organic wastes.

Schinner et al. 1996 Enzyme activities have often been used as indicators of microbial
activity and can also be useful to interpret the intensity of microbial metabolism in
soil.

Nannipieri and Bollag 1991 Enzymes, in fact, are the catalysts of important metabolic
functions, including the decomposition and the detoxification of contaminants.

Bhatnagar and Palta 1996 There are about 3,320 species of earthworms all over the
world.

Julka et al. (2009), in India, there are about 590 species of earthworms with different
ecological preferences, but the functional role of the majority of the species and their
influence on the habitat are lacking.

Kale and Krishnamoorthy 1981 Most species of earthworms prefer soil with a
temperature of 10– 35 0C, moisture of 12–34%, pH of about 7 and C:N ratio 2–8.

Gunathilagraj and Ravignanam 1996 Earthworms are generally absent or rare in soil
with a very coarse texture, in soil and high clay content, or soil with pH less than 4.

Gajalakshmi and Abbasi 2004 Eisenia fetida can be cultivated in areas with higher
temperature (as high as 43 0C) as well as lower temperature .

Subler et al. (1998) reported that the incorporation of small amount (10% mg volume)
of pig manure vermicompost, into commercial bedding plant potting media was
sufficient to produce a significant increase in the total biomass of tomato seedlings.

Atiyeh et al. (2000) have confirmed that vermicompost usually has significant
beneficial effects on plant growth increase in growth of chickpea seedlings at the
lowest level of vermicompost substitution.

Ansari (2008) reported that the growth improvement of potato, spinach and turnip
was recorded to 6t/ha vermicompost application.

Venkatesh et al., 1998; Arancon et al., 2004 Applications of vermicompost to field soils
have also been reportedcto increae crop growth and yields.
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Ismail, 2005; Garg and Bhardwaj, 2000; Ansari, 2007 Vermicompost has been found to
have a favourable influence on all yield parameters of crops like wheat, paddy and
sugarcane.
Ahmed et al. (2010) mentioned the plant height, total dry weight and leaf area
significantly increases on the application of biofertilizers.

Mohmood et al. (2006) found that plant height of wheat increased by inoculation with
Azospirillum sp.

Nanjundappa et al., 2000 The observation regarding the increased biomass were in
agreement with several findings that the application of farmyard manure and
phosphobacteria increased the plant height in maize up to 40%.

Edwards and Arancon, 2004; Edwards et al., 2004 Vermicompost, which are stabilized
organic materials produced by interactions between earthworms and microorganisms
in a nonthermophilic process, have been reported to enhance in plant growth and
yields in greenhouse crops.

Goswami et al. (2001) and Miceli et al. (2007) reported that the application of
vermicompost to tomatoes cultivated in the field also 25 increased the yield.

Venktesh et al. (1998) reported that yields of Thompson seedling grapes increased
significantly in response to vermicompost application.

Parthasarathi and 26 Ranganathan (2002) Fresh weight and dry weight of cucumber
seedlings were affected negatively by high amount of vermicompost (30%) indicating
salt stress that resulted in growth retardation.

Gupta, 2003; Sinha et al., 2010 Few attempts have been made to establish the role and
growth productivity of legume plants.

Arancon et al. 2003; Edwards and Burrows 1988 Under favourable conditions of
temperature and moisture, earthworms maintain the aerobic conditions in the
vermicomposting process ingest organic waste materials and egest a humus-like
substance which is more homogeneous than the organic wastes or raw materials used.

Edwards and Lofty 1972 The physical actions include fragmentation, turnover and
aeration. Whereas biochemical actions include enzymatic digestion, nitrogen
enrichment, transport of inorganic and organic materials.

Ndegwa and Thompson 2001During this process, important plant nutrients such as
nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium present in the waste materials are
converted through microbial action into such chemical forms which are much more
soluble and available to the plants than those in the parent substrate.
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Neuhauser et al. 1988; Edwards 1998 The ideal moisture range in vermicomposting or
vermiculture process is 60- 80%.

Reinecke and Venter (1985) have reported that even a 5% difference 13 in moisture
content significantly affect the clitellum development in Eisenia fetida worm species.

Kaushik and Garg 2004 With the subsequent evolution of CO2 and utilization of
volatile fatty acids, the pH begins to rise as the process progresses.

Ismail 1997 During winter to remain system active, the temperature should be
maintained above 10 0C and in summer the temperature should be maintained below
35 0C.

Riggle and Holmes 1994 At very low temperatures earthworms do not consume food.
At higher temperature (above 35 0C) metabolic activity and reproduction of
earthworms begins to decline and mortality occurs.

Edwards and Lofty 1972 Earthworms are photophobic in nature.

Uvarov and Scheu (2004) have reported that at higher population densities mortality
is increased, cocoon production per earthworm is reduced and growth rate is
decreased.

Aira et al. 2002 High population densities of earthworms in vermicomposting systems

result in a rapid turnover of fresh organic matter into earthworm casts.

Pramanik (2010) has reported that during vermicomposting, earthworms ingest

microorganisms with organic substrates, but not all the microorganisms are killed
during gut passage.
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III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experiment was conducted to prepare vermicompost using green leaves eg.teak

leaves and to assess its chemical properties and chemical composition. The materials used
and methods adopted are detailed in this chapter.

3.1 LOCATION

The vermicomposting was carried out in the Integrated Farming Unit, College of
Agriculture, Navile, Shivamogga.

3.2 MATERIALS

The vermicompost was prepared with a mixture of crop wastes and weeds both dry and
fresh. The details of raw materials used are given below

Table 3.1 Materials used in vermicomposting process

SI. Materials Quantity (approx.)
No.
1 Black gram chopped leaves 1000-1500 kg
2 Green leaves (glyricidia) 500-750 kg
3 Green teak leaves 100-200 kg
4 Dried teak leaves 400-500 kg
5 Partially decomposed material 500 kg
6 Cow dung 400-500 kg
7 Earthworms 5 kg
8 Water 1250-1400 liters
9 Chlorpyriphos 0.25 L
10 Trichoderma 100-150g

Dried leaves formed 33 per cent of the total materials. Apart from this, green leaves were also
used. Cow dung was used as a slurry to attract worms to the top layer, which was applied for
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about two cm height. Regular watering was done using rose can to maintain optimum
moisture level of 70% (approx.).

3.3 METHODOLOGY
The vermicomposting was carried out in the pit dug with size structure of 4*2*1 m3 having
shade structure over the pit. The materials used in the process were dried leaves, green leaves,
, legumes, partially decomposed materials and cow dung slurry which were filled in layers.
Predators of the worms like ants were managed using chlorpyriphos spray (0.2%).
Earthworms were released into the filled pits, since it comprised of partially decomposed
organic materials. Later, Cow dung slurry was applied on the top layer. Substantial amount of
moisture was maintained throughout the process of composting.

The other method of vermicomposting followed was cement structure method, wherein
structure was constructed above the ground. The pit was filled with a mixture of raw
materials as detailed in Table 3.1. the major flaw with the method was ineffective control of
predators

3.4 ANALYSIS
Vermicompost after extraction was analyzed for various chemical properties and nutritional
composition in the soil science department of College of Agriculture, Shivaomgga. The
sample was drawn randomly from ten spots of the heaped vermicompost and the samples
were further reduced to half a kg by quadrant method.
Thus obtained sample was shade dried and subjected for analysis. The analysis was
made for chemical properties like pH, EC, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium.
3.4.1 Procedure for estimation of pH of vermicompost
The pH of vermicompost was assessed following electrometric method. To assess pH, 20 gm
of air dried and sieved vermicompost was weighed and mixed with 40 ml of distilled water in
a beaker. It was stirred intermittently and fed to calibrated pH meter. Later, the readings were
recorded and properly inferred.

3.4.2 Procedure for estimation of EC of vermicompost

The EC of vermicompost was assessed using conductivity bridge. To assess EC, 20 gm of air
dried and sieved vermicompost was weighed and mixed with 50 ml of distilled water in a
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beaker. It was stirred intermittently and fed to calibrated Electric conductivity bridge. Later,
the readings were recorded and properly inferred.

3.4.3 Procedure for estimation of OC of vermicompost

The OC of vermicompost was assessed using Walkley and Black method. To assess OC, one
gram of sieved vermicompost was taken in a conical flask and added with 10 ml potassium
dichromate followed by 20 ml concentrated sulphuric acid and the mixture was genmtly
swirled for one minute. Later, the mixture was added with 200 ml distilled water and 10 ml of
orthophosphoric acid. It was left for one and half hour and titrated using ferroion indicator
with ferrous ammonium sulphate till brownish red colour appeared.
3.4.4 Procedure for estimation of available nitrogen in vermicompost
Alkaline permanganate method was used in determination of available N in the
vermicompost. The procedure involved transferring of 20 gm of sieved vermicompost into
round bottom flask. The test sample was fed to KJeldal unit(Small amount of distilled water
was added followed by the addition of 100 ml potassium permanganate and 100 ml sodium
hydroxide). The nitrogen was trapped in boric acid which was used for titration against
concentrated sulphuric acid, till green colour was obtained as end point.
3.4.4 Procedure for estimation of available phosphorous in vermicompost
The processed vermicompost sample was weighed to 2.5 gm and added with 50 ml of
oleson’s reagent and a pinch of activated charcoal to a 150 ml conical flask. The mixture was
kept in shaker at 180 rpm. Later, the contents were filtered and 5 ml of the same was
transferred to 25 ml volumetric flask. It was added with ammonium molybdate and ascorbic
acid, the volume was made up to 25 ml. So prepared mixture was fed to colorimeter and
readings were recorded and matched with standard curve to get available P.
3.4.5 Procedure for estimation of available potassium in vermicompost
Flame photometer method was employed in determination of available K in the
vermicompost sample. The procedure involved addition of 25 ml of ammonium oxalate
extracting solution to a conical flask containing 5 gm air dried vermicompost sample. The
mixture was fed to a reciprocating shaker at 200 to 220 oscillations per minute for 5 min and
filtered. The filtrate was fed to flame photometer and compared with standard curve.
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IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of the analysis of vermicompost prepared using a mixture of crop and weed
wastes are presented in this chapter.
Table 4.1 Chemical properties and nutrient composition of vermicompost
Particulars Value Inference
pH 6.5 Acidic
EC (mS/cm) 1.52 Moderate
OC 0.20 Very Low
Available N (%) 2.30
Available P (%) 0.75
Available K (%) 1.33

The magnitude of various chemical properties such as pH, Electric conductivity and Organic
Carbon percentage are given in the table 4.1. The pH of sample vermicompost was found to
be 6.5 inferred as acidic. The slight acidity may be due to the presence of CO2 and organic
acids produced during the process of microbial decomposition of raw materials used 1.
Electric conductivity of the sample was found moderate ( 1.52 mS/cm). Organic carbon
content of the vermicompost analyzed was found to be 0.20% indicating low availability of
organic carbon. The low carbon content may be due to legumes and dicots (75%) used which
are have narrow C:N ratio.
The nutritional composition of the sample vermicompost is presented and discussed.
Available nitrogen was found to be 2.30 per cent in the sample. It was found higher than
conventional compost by 250 per cent due to the presence of nitrogen and its associated
compounds in worms excreta. With respect to phosphorous, the percent composition was
about 0.75 which was comparable with the vermicompost prepared using other raw materials.
It was attributed to the increased load of microbes which resulted in mineralization of P. The
available K was found to be 1.3 per cent and was relatively higher compared with
conventional compost.

1
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/23354/10/10_chapter%204.pdf browsed on 27 March
2016
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Summary
The prepared Vermicompost was found to be rich in phyto available forms of nutrients,
which can be used as input for crop production or raising nursery.

4.4 Economics of vermicomposting

Table 4.2 Economics of vermicomposting

Particulars Quantity Value

Labour @ 250Rs/mandays 8 2000
Pod husk @ 1000Rs/load 1 1000
Partially decomposed 0.25 500
material @ 2000Rs/ tractor
loads
Cowdung @ Rs. 30/baskets 25 750
Earthworm @ Rs. 200/kg 5 1000
Interest on working capital @ 368
7 p.a.
Total variable cost 5618
Interest on fixed capital of @ 200
12 p.a.
Depreciation on equipments, 156
pit, thatch etc.,
Total fixed cost 356
Total cost 5974

Returns

Returns from vermicompost @ 2 tons per pit 12000

@ Rs. 6000 per ton
Returns from worms @Rs. 250 per kg for 10kg 2500
Gross returns 14500
Net returns 8526
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