Vermiwash As a component of INM

Introduction

Vermiwash, a liquid bio-fertilizer can be collected through the

column of activated earthworm.

It contains plant growth hormones like auxins and cytokinin apart

from nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and other micronutrients.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Phosphate solublizing bacteria(PSB).

Agriculturally Important Microbes in Vermiwash

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Nitrogen fixing bacteriaAzotobacter spRhizobium sp.

Benefits of Vermiwash

A mixture of vermiwash (1litre) with cow urine (1litre) in 10 litres of water acts as bio-pesticides and liquid manure.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Vermiwash acts as a plant tonic and helps to reduce many plant diseases

Principle of Vermiwash production

The trickling of water takes away all the body

secretions of the earthworm along with it and

also other nutrients from the decomposed

materials.

The collected water contains many nutrients

readily available to the crop plants.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Composition of Vermiwash

The composition of vermiwash is as follow:

pH 7.48 ± 0.03

Organic carbon% 0.008 ± 0.001

Nitrogen% 0.01 ± 0.005

Available phosphorous% 1.69 ± 0.05

Potassium (ppm) 25 ± 2

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Micro-nutrients in Vermiwash

Sl. No. Nutrient Quantity (ppm)

1. Sodium 8 ± 1

2. Calcium 3 ± 1

3. Copper 0.01 ± 0.001

4. Ferrous 0.06 ± 0.001

5. Magnesium 158.44 ± 23.42

6. Manganese 0.58 ± 0.040

7. Zinc 0.02 ± 0.001

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Microbial composition of vermi-wash

Sl. No. Microbes Microbial count (CFU/ml)

1. Total heterotrophs 1.79x103

2. Nitrosomonas sp. 1.01 x103

3. Nitrobacter sp. 1.12 x 103

4. Total fungi 1.46 x 103

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Requirements for the production of Vermiwash

Bucket with tap Earthworms Cow dung

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Method of preparation of vermiwash

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

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

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

Method of preparation of Vermiwash

Introduce about 2000 earthworms into the container.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

A base layer of gravel or broken small pieces of bricks are placed upto height of 10-15 cm.

On the coarse sand layer place 40-45 cm pre-decomposed organic wastes and moisten the different layers by using water.

Integrated Vermiwash Unit

Vermiwash unit may be established with vermicomposting beds for large scale production.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Precautions

Water should be poured slowly. Do not mix un-decomposed material while, watering.

Do not add any green material. Do not allow to compact the contents.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM

Let Us Sum Up Vermiwash, a liquid fertilizer collected after the passage of water

through a column of worm activation is very useful as a foliar spray.

It contains plant growth hormones like auxins and cytokinin apart from nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and other micro nutrients.

It contains nitrogen fixing bacteria like Azotobacter sp., Arobactericum sp. and Rhizobium sp. and some phosphate solublizing bacteria.

It acts as a plant tonic and helps to reduce many plant diseases.

Vermiwash: As a component of INM