Updates On Vermicomposting

UPDATES ON VERMI COMPOSTING

Dumaguete City February 9, 2007

PAMELA T. HENARES Trustee NISARD Foundation

Daniel “Bitay” Lacson Reports:

On-going researches re the use of vermicast and earthworms  SRA vermicast replacing chemical fertilizers  SEAFDEC use of earthworm meal as feed to

mother “sugpo” and fry in the hatchery and also for mother bangus “sabalo” and fry

Compost Tea Capt. James Fos Reamon Benefits : 

  

Increase beneficial microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa) extracted from the good quality compost. plant growth improved plants are protected from pathogens workers and consumers are protected

COMPOST TEA • FOLIAR SPRAY • SOIL DRENCH

Small Scale Vermicomposting for Community-Based Solid Waste Managmement and Organic Fertilizer Production Presented by Antonio De Castro Earthworm Sanctuary Nov 15, 2006 Bacolod, Negros

Organic Crop Production

An even better alternative: Backyard Vermicomposting

New Findings on Use of Vermicompost in the Philippines Luzviminda A. Guerrero Aquatic Biosystems Bay, Laguna [email protected]

C. Preliminary Study on Use of Vermicompost as Feedstuff for Tilapia Problem: The cost of feeding can be 60-70% of the total expense for intensive culture of fish. Solution: Need for low-cost but efficient substitutes for feedsstuffs (e.g. rice bran) In China, earthworm casting can partially substitute for wheat and corn middlings in tilapia feed (Sun, 2003).

Treatments Culture Unit : Glass aquaria Test Fish: Nile tilapia fingerlings (5/aquarium) Duration: Two weeks Control - Feeding of rice bran only (5% ABW) I - Feeding of rice bran (90%) and vermicompost (10%) II - Feeding of rice bran (80%) and vermicompost (20%)

Results Treatment Control rice bran only (5% ABW) I

rice bran (90%) and vermicompost (10%) II rice bran (80%) and vermicompost (20%)

weight Mean 1st wk Gain (%) 2nd wk. 3.8 1.2 2.3

4.8

14.0

8.1

Findings 



There was more weight gain of the fish fed with 10-20% vermicompost as substitute for rice bran than that of the Control after two weeks of feeding. The weight gains of the fish fed with 10% and 20% vermicompost were 4X and 6.65X more than that of the Control after two weeks of feeding.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF VERMICULTURE Norman Q. Arancon and Clive A. Edwards The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA

VERMICOMPOSTING TOILETS

WINDROWS

DOMESTIC SYSTEMS

DOMESTIC SYSTEMS

Indian System

EARTHWORMS AS PHARMACEUTICALS IN HUMAN DISEASE TREATMENT

EARTHWORMS AS PHARMACEUTICALS IN HUMAN DISEASE TREATMENT         

human health arthritis male sterility cardiovascular diseases thrombosis bronchial asthma leg ulcers eczema tissue inflammation.

Earthworm Pharmaceuticals for Human Health

Earthworm Pharmaceuticals for Thrombosis Treatment

Earthworm Pharmaceuticals for Cardiovascular Diseases

POSSIBLE MECHANISMS BY WHICH VERMICOMPOSTS SUPPRESS PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ATTACKS B. OTHER MECHANISMS •

Materials toxic to nematodes produced by vermicomposts e.g. IAA

•

Build up of bacterial parasites of plant parasitic nematodes

•

Uptake by plants from vermicomposts of materials repellent to nematodes e.g. phenols, chitinases

•

Differences in plant nutrient status between plants grown with inorganic fertilizers and those grown with vermicomposts

EARTHWORMS IN POLLUTANT BIOREMEDIATION  

Heavy metals Organic pollutants

BIOREMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOILS WITH VERMICOMPOSTS AND VERMICOMPOST TEAS 



HEAVY METALS Virtually indestructible pollutants in soils. Ways to remove : phytoremediation  Bioaccumulation (vermiremediation)  Bound onto humates 

CHANGE IN AVAILIBITY OF HEAVY METALS DURING VERMICOMPOSTING

CHANGE IN AVAILIBITY OF HEAVY METALS DURING VERMICOMPOSTING

BIOREMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOILS WITH VERMICOMPOSTS

  

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides Petroleum derivatives e.g. - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - phenolic compounds - benzene compounds

BREAKDOWN OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) AFTER TREATMENT WITH VERMICOMPOST AND VERMICOMPOST TEAS IN THE FIELD TREATMENTS PLOT SIZE: 5 HA  Cattle manure vermicompost was applied once at a rate of 50 m3 ha-1 and worked to a depth of 60 cm with a field cultivator  Cattle manure vermicompost ‘teas’ (aqueous extract) were applied at a rate of 13,500 l ha-1 every two weeks for 90 days (six applications) using a water wagon with injection knives to a depth of 45 – 60 cm

BREAKDOWN OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) IN THE FIELD AFTER TREATMENT WITH COMBINATIONS OF VERMICOMPOST AND VERMICOMPOST ‘TEAS’

MEASUREMENTS (AFTER 0, 30, 90, AND 120 DAYS)  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon residues  Benzene(A)pyrene residues  Bacterial Biomass  Fungal Biomass

BREAKDOWN OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) IN THE FIELD AFTER TREATMENT WITH COMBINATIONS OF VERMICOMPOST AND VERMICOMPOST ‘TEAS’ 25

g/kg soil

20

15

10

5

0 0

20

40

60

80

Days after treatment

100

120

BREAKDOWN OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) IN THE FIELD AFTER TREATMENT WITH COMBINATIONS OF VERMICOMPOST AND VERMICOMPOST ‘TEAS’

CONCLUSIONS  The vermicomposts and vermicompost teas increased the microbial activity of polluted soils very significantly  Virtually all of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were eliminated from a heavily polluted site in 100 days  Vermicomposts and vermicomposts teas offer considerable promise in the bioremediation of polluted sites with attractive economic benefit/cost ratios

EARTHWORMS IN POLLUTANT BIOREMEDIATION CONCLUSIONS This is a rapidly developing field that seems to hold a great deal of potential for reclaiming polluted sites and returning them to crop production

Current Challenges   

Vermicomposts Vermi Protein Vermiceuticals Standardization of products  Marketing: storage, packaging  Choice of technology and species  Safety issues  Technology Assistance, awareness 

Table 1. Chemical composition of earthworms

•Protein 60-70% •Fat 7-10% •Carbohydrate 8-20% •Minerals 2-3%

Table 2

LEVEL OF EARTHWORM MEAL IN DIET OF CHICKEN

Amount of earthworm Meal Initial(g/kg) live weight

0

72*

144

215

203

201

198

201

735

725

677

674

0.669

0.62 8

0.619

0.608

0.588

0.57 3

0.569

0.599

(g) Final live weight (g) Gain/food per unit of food N-retention (g/g diet N)

* Recommended rate

Table 3. GROWTH OF SUCKLING PIGS ON EARTHWORM DIET Starter Period (38-50 days)

Earthworm protein

Meat protein

Commercial diet

Mean weight gain (kg)

4.36

3.65

4.26

Mean rate of growth (kg/day)

0.31

0.26

0.30

Mean weight gain (kg)

6.54

6.80

6.60

Mean rate of growth (kg/day)

0.47

0.49

0.46

Growth Period (8495 days)

Earthworms  are excellent source of protein, rich in essential amino acids and vitamins  can provide 15% protein supplements  outperform other protein sources, such as waste fish or soybeans, in terms of animal weight gain, growth and nitrogen retention by fish, poultry  conversion ratio for waste to earthworm biomass of about 10%.

Pharmaceuticals 

earthworms reportedly produce antibacterial materials



reports of earthworms and earthworm extracts used in the treatment of human diseases in China and Asia arthritis male sterility cardiovascular diseases bronchial asthma leg ulcers eczema tissue inflammation general health improvement

Other Uses of Vermicomposts : Bioremediation 

In recent years evidence has accumulated from our laboratory and elsewhere that vermicomposts and aqueous extracts of vermicomposts (teas) have considerable potential in removing organic pollutants and heavy metals from polluted air.

Other Uses of Vermicomposts : Bioremediation cont…. 

Heavy metals are virtually indestructible chemicals in soils. The only way to remove them from polluted soils is to take them up into the tissues of organisms such as plants (phytoremediation) or invertebrates such as earthworms (vermiremediation).



Additionally they can be bound up in processed organic wastes such as vermicomposts by stable humates which makes them unavailable to plants.

Other Uses of Vermicomposts : Bioremediation cont…. 

Organic compounds that can be eliminated by vermicomposts include: •Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) •Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides •Petroleum derivatives e.g. -polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -phenolic compounds -benzene compounds

USE OF VERMICOMPOST FOR SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN NEGROS ROSARIO M. BOMBIO, GEORGE L. TALAM AND SOLENA B. TAHUM Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition

Sugar Regulatory Administration La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center

La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

P

ST O P OM C I N M VER LICATIO APP

RO HI G D U H C T

IV I TY

HABITAT OF PEST ORGANIS MS IS DISRUPTE D, THEREF ORE, A MEANS O F PEST A ND DISEASE CONTROL

S CE RE AN T SU EN EN EN NT ND HM TS AI A IS IEN M EN T R PL NU RE OF

BI O DI LOG V E R ICA S ITY L

S CROP E G N I RAIS INABL A T S SU USING DUCTION PRO LOGY O N H TEC

ORGANIC FARMING

Bacterial Colony Count of Vermicompost sample after 48 hours incubation Dilution Source Vermicompost

Loam soil

Media

Field (soil+ mudpress)

Number

Diameter (mm)

Number

Diameter (mm)

Number

Diameter (mm)

Nutrient agar

190

1.6

20

1.0

34

1.2

Potato dextrose agar

0

0

0

Modified soil extract

0

0

0

Control

0

0

0

Analysis performed by Dr. Rodolfo Estioko, SRA- LGAREC

La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

Bacterial colony count from different sources after 72 hours incubation* Medium Media

Nutrient Agar (NA)

Potato dextrose agar (PDA)

Vermicompost (Henares)

957

7

Cultivated soil mixed w/ chicken manure & mudpress

556

10

Cultivated mudpress

316

4

265

3

0

0

soil

mixed

Cultivated soil (loam) Control *Averages in 4 plates; 1 plate = 64 sq. cm.

Analysis performed by Dr. Rodolfo Estioko, SRA- LGAREC

Fungal growth after 72 hours incubation Medium Source

Nutrient Agar (NA) Number

Potato dextrose agar (PDA) Number

0

Dia.(m m) 0

12

Dia.(m m) 6-19

Vermicompost (Henares ) Cultivated soil mixed with chicken manure/ mudpress Cultivated soil mixed with mudpress

7

2-11

2

12-18

14

3-7

3

4-16

Cultivated soil (loam)

16

3-8

7

3-24

Control

0

0

Analysis performed by Dr. Rodolfo Estioko, SRA- LGAREC

Analysis of Vermicompost Used in the Study Element Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P2O5)

Analysis (based on % moisture) 0.724% 2.85%

Potassium (K2O)

0.332%

Calcium (CaO)

0.400%

Magnesium (Mg)

0.440%

Manganese (Mn)

860 ppm

Copper (Cu)

86ppm

Iron (Fe)

1.52%

Zinc (Zn)

123 ppm

Organic matter (OM) pH Moisture

14.23% 5.7 12.4%

Vermicompost of Ex-Gov. Daniel (Bitay) Lacson La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

Analysis of SRA Vermicompost Element

Analysis (based on % moisture) Sample 1 Sample 2

Nitrogen (N)

1.05%

0.75%

Phosphorus (P 2O 5) Potassium (K2O)

1.69%

1.96%

0.36%

0.31%

0.063%

0.067%

Magnesium (Mg)

0.29%

0.36%

Manganese (Mn)

1935ppm

2660 ppm

Copper (Cu)

102.7ppm

108.4 ppm

Iron (Fe)

1.60%

1.50%

Zinc (Zn)

154.9ppm

184.9 ppm

Moisture

15.9

21.8%

Calcium (CaO)

SUBSTRATE

70 % Mixed grasses + 30 % chicken dung

70% sugarcane trash + 30 % chicken dung

La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

TREATMENTS Treatment A B C D E F G

NPK (kg/ha)

Vermicompost

N rec. rate (RR) 90% RR 80% RR 70% RR RR RR RR

0% RR 10% RR 20% RR 30% RR 2 tons 4 tons 6 tons

La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

Cost and return analysis N

Treatments (kg/ha) Vermicompost

N recmded. rate (RR) 105

LKg/Ha 65%

Yield difference against the control

Yield difference X Php 950

Vermicompost Php 2.50/ kilo

Added benefit/ ha. Php

0 % RR

151.81

90%RR (94.5)

10% RR (1450.28)

142.30

-9.51

-

3,625.70

80% RR (84)

20% RR (2900.55)

160.00

8.19

7,780.50

7,251.38

70% RR (73.5)

30% RR (4350.83)

146.30

-5.51

-

14,502.78

RR (105)

2000

164.07

12.26

11,647.00

5.000

6,647.00

RR (105)

4000

152.39

0.58

551.00

10,000

-

RR (105)

6000

156.54

4.73

4,493.5

15,000

-

529.12

Analysis of experimental site Soil Properties Soil series Texture Soil pH

Initial Analysis

After Harvest

Guimbalao Guimbalao n n Sandy Sandy loam loam 5.1 5.51

OM (%)

3.51

4.10

P ppm

26

35

K ppm

439

167

Ca ppm

2869

1118

Mg ppm

314

117

Fe ppm

284

Zn ppm

243

Cu ppm

103

Mn ppm

118

La AlGranja, ppmLa Carlota City, Neg. 42Occ. (034)735-0131 121

Effect of %OM on bacterial count % O R G M A T T E R

B A C. C O U N T

4.2

4

3.8

A G

1

2

B

C4 D5

3

E6

7 F

200 150 100 50 0

A G

1

2

B

3

C

4

D5

E6

7 F

La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131

Biosafety Concerns on Earthworms and their Uses Marilou J. Ang Lopez School of Technology ◊ WESVARRDEC U.P. in the Visayas Iloilo (33)315-8609

(33)335-0630)

Bruce Eastman’s Vermi-stabilization Experiment (1999) 



Spicing-up pathogen (E. coli, Salmonella, Helminths) load of the decomposing materials much beyond the acceptable levels The levels decreased FOUR-FOLDS, and were below the acceptable levels for compost (US Composting Council)

Use of animal manure and domestic waste as feedstock can increase pathogen load beyond the “deactivation” capacity of earthworms.

Issues and Concerns Due to the assimilation of metals from the environment, several authors have reported high levels of metals, including heavy metals, in earthworms Sun (1995) found no significant increases of heavy metals in the carcasses of trial animals fed with earthoworms

EW Capsule (varying levels of a.i.)

ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION USING VERMI COMPOST

Croping Season: 2006 B Name of Farmer: ARSENIO FERRERA Farm location: Mabuhay Valencia City Buk. Area : 1 ha. Variety : Matatag 11 Date Harvested : Nov. 14, 2006 Substrate Used : Rice Straw and animal manure

Particulars

QTY

Unit

Unit Cost

Total Cost

Labor Expence Turtle and harrowing Leveling

Seedbed Prep. Mounting of beds Seed sowing organic Fertilizer application

3

Pass

3,000.00

3,000.00

4

MAD

200.00

800.00

4

MD

100.00

400.00

3,000.00

3,000.00

100.00

2,000.00

Transplanting (pakyaw basis) Weeding

20

MD

Particulars

QTY

Unit

Unit Cost

Organic fertilizer and Organic pesticides appl’n

6

MD

100.00

600.00

Spraying

4

MD

100.00

400.00

Water management

8

MD

100.00

800.00

8,500.00

8,500.00

100.00

600.00

Cleaning of leaves harvesting & threshing sharing Post harvest handling

Sub Total

6

MD

Total Cost

20,000.00

Particulars

QTY

Unit

Unit Cost

Total Cost

1 63 4

Bag Bag Qts

800.00 100.00 250.00

800.00 6,300.00 250.00

250.00

250.00

Farm Inputs Seeds Vermi Compost Foliar Fertilizer Organic Pesticides ( Own preparation) Sub Total

TOTAL EXPENSES

8,350.00

28,850.00

Total Yield

10,230 kgs. @ 8.50/kilo

Gross Income

86,955.00

Total COP

28,850.00

Net Income

58,105.00

ROI:

66.82 %

Vermiculture in the Philippines and Other Tropical Countries Rafael D. Guerrero III Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (Department of Science and Technology) Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4030 [email protected]

Recent Sci entif ic Fi nd ing s 

Collaborative Research into Producing Plant Growth Media Soil Amendments, Animal Feed Protection and Pharmaceutical Materials from Animal Wastes Using Innovative Earthwormbased Technologies  C.A. Edwards and N.Q. Arancon – SEL-OSU R.D. Guerrero III – PCAMRD-DOST  Supported by the USDA

AMO LANG ‘TO SALAMAT SA INYONG PAGPAMATI HAPPY WORMING

PAMELA T. HENARES BURO-BURO SPRINGS VERMI FARM Bo. Concepcion, Talisay City, Negros Occidental