Vermiculture and organic farming has attracted the attention on naturalists, ecologists and workers in applied sciences such as Agriculture, Pest Management, Horticulture, Sericulture etc., at global scenario. Agricultural chemicals increase tremendous pressure on agroecosystem. Increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides lead to serious problems in agroecosystem such as air, water and soil pollution, pest resistance, pest resurgence, secondary pest out break, killing of beneficial and non target organisms, destruction of ecocycles and endemic soil fauna, drying of soil, etc. The use of biofertilizers, vermicompost, biological pest control technique will certainly add great relevance in solving the above problems. Therefore, in the present book, attempts have been made on Vermiculture and Vermicomposting, Biofertilizers and their Production and Production of Biological Pest Control Agents. Importance of biofertilizers, species diversity, applications and production technique for Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azolla, Blue-green algae, Mycorrhizae, Azospirillum, Green manure, Organic composting have been described under the chapter Biofertilizers and their Production, while, under the chapter production of biological pest control agents, emphasis is given on the importance of biological pest control technique and mass production techniques of various BCA such as Trichogramma, Chilonus blackburni, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Crysoperla carnea. This book is need of modern agriculture and useful guide to naturalist, students, teachers, farmers, researchers and industrialist. Contents Chapter 1: Vermiculture and Vermicomposting; Chapter 2: Biofertilizers and their Production; Phosphate solubizing microorganisms, Rhizobium production, Azotobacter production, Azospirillum production, Blue green algae (BGA) production, Azolla production, Mycorrhiza production, Green manure, Organic matter and composting; Chapter 3: Production Techniques for Biological Pest Control Agents; Mass production technique for trichogramma, Mass production technique for chelomus blackburni, Mass production technique for cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Mass production technique for chrperla carnea.
Choice Reviews, Outstanding Academic Title Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more Turning waste into wealth sounds too good to be true, but many worm farmers are finding that vermicomposting is a reliable way to do just that. Vermicast—a biologically active, nutrient-rich mix of earthworm castings and decomposed organic matter—sells for $400 or more per cubic yard. Compare that to regular compost, sold at about $30 a cubic yard, and you’ll see why vermicomposting has taken root in most countries and on every continent but Antarctica. Vermicomposting is also one of the best sustainable solutions for organic waste management. Vermicomposting manure and crop wastes on farms improves crop yields while reducing demand for off-farm inputs. Vermicast has higher nutrient levels and lower soluble salt content than regular compost, and it improves soil aeration, porosity, and water retention. Plus, vermicast suppresses plant diseases and insect attacks. Municipalities, businesses, community gardens, schools, and universities can set up vermicomposting operations to process food residuals and other waste materials. The Worm Farmer’s Handbook details the ins and outs of vermicomposting for mid- to large-scale operations, including how to recycle organic materials ranging from food wastes and yard trimmings to manure and shredded office paper. Vermicomposting expert Rhonda Sherman shares what she has learned over twenty-five years working with commercial worm growers and researchers around the world. Her profiles of successful worm growers across the United States and from New Zealand to the Middle East and Europe describe their proven methods and systems. This book digs into all the details, including: Choosing the right production system Regulatory issues and developing a business and marketing plan Finding and managing feedstocks Pre-composting: why and how to do it Monitoring an active worm bed Harvesting, screening, testing, packaging, and storing vermicast Markets for earthworms and vermicast Food security: how vermicast benefits soils and plants Keys to success: avoiding common pitfalls From livestock farms and restaurants to colleges, military bases, and prisons, Sherman details why and how commercial-scale vermicomposting is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for organic waste management. The Worm Farmer’s Handbook is the first and only authoritative how-to guide that goes beyond small-scale operations and demystifies the science and logistics of the fascinating process that is vermicomposting.
Exploring the dramatic growth and changes in the field of vermicomposting since 1988, this comprehensive review assesses the advancements made in government-funded projects in the U.S. and UK. It discusses outdoor and indoor windrows, container systems, wedge systems, and low labor-requirements. It also examines fully-automated continuous flow vermicomposting reactor systems that can process more than 1000 tons of organic wastes per reactor. The book highlights the science and biology behind the use and efficacy of vermicomposting and details the technology of the past, present, and future.
The production of degradable organic waste and its safe disposal have become the current global problem. The rejuvenation of degraded soils by protecting topsoil and sustainability of productive soils is a major concern at the international level. Vermicomposting is compatible process with sound environmental principles that value conservation of resources and sustainable practices. Vermicompost is known to be the world best organic fertilizer. Vermiculture is for vermicompost. Vermiculture means artificial rearing or cultivation of worms (Earthworms) and the technology is the scientific process of using them for the betterment of human beings. Vermiculture technology has improved the crop productivity by increasing soil fertility through ecological methods of farming. Vermiculture has been embraced throughout the world right from the developed countries to the developing countries. Vermicomposting is a panacea for solid waste management. It is a simple kindred process of composting, in which certain species of microorganism such as earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product. Earthworms serve as nature plowman to facilitate these functions. They form gift of nature to produce good humus, which is the most precious material to fulfill the nutritional needs of crops. The utilization of vermicompost results in several benefits to farmers, industries, environment and overall national economy. This contains experiments from the field, vermicomposting materials, earthworm life cycle, ecological types earthworms, role of earthworms, vermicomposting, advantages of vermiculture, vermitechnology. This book majorly deals with advantages of vermicomposting, vermicomposting in daily life vermiculture v/s vermicomposting, earthworms: ecological types, physical and chemical effects of earthworms on soils, fertilizers use and deterioration of soil environment, vermicomposting materials, feeding vermicomposting materials, ideal conditions for life of earthworms, earthworms : their application in organic agriculture, maintenance of vermicomposting beds, vermicomposting : general procedures at agricultural farms vermicomposting : kiss plan, vermicomposting: a world scenario, soil fertility and texture, advantages of vermiculture, small scale or indoor vermicomposting, large scale or outdoor vermicomposting ect. This book is an invaluable resource for readers, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, existing industries, technical institution, etc. TAGS Advantages of vermicomposting, Advantages of vermiculture, Agro business: Vermiculture earthworms Farming, Application in Organic Agriculture, Best small and cottage scale industries, Business consultancy, Business consultant, Business Plan for a Startup Business, Business Plan for Worm Farming, Business start-up, Business Startup commercial worm farming, Earthworm Farm Business, Earthworm Production, Earthworms end uses and potential, Great Opportunity for Startup, How to Build a Worm Farm, How to make a worm farm, How to make vermicompost, How to Prepare Vermicompost, How to start a successful Vermicompost business, How to Start a Vermicompost industry?, How to Start a Vermicompost Production Business, How to Start a Vermicomposting Bin, How to Start a Worm Bin System, How to start a worm compost, How to Start a Worm Farm Business, How to Start a Worm Farm for Profit, How to Start Vermicompost Processing Industry in India, How to Start Vermicomposting Business, How to start vermicomposting business in India, How to Start Vermiculture, How to start vermiculture business, Ideas and Plan to Start Vermiculture Business, Industrial Project Report, Manual of Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture, Materials used in vermicomposting, Modern small and cottage scale industries, Most Profitable Vermicompost Processing Business Ideas, Preparation of Project Profiles, Process technology books, Profitable small and cottage scale industries, Profitable Small Scale Vermicompost Manufacturing, Project consultancy, Project consultant, Project for startups, Project identification and selection, Role of Earthworms, Setting up and opening your Vermicompost Business, Setting Up of a Vermiwash Unit, Setting up of Vermicompost Processing Units, Small scale Commercial Vermicompost making, Small Scale Vermicompost Processing Projects, Small scale Vermicompost production line, Small Start-up Business Project, Start a Worm Farm Business, Start up India, Stand up India, Starting a Business in Vermicomposting, Starting a Vermicompost Processing Business, Starting a Vermiculture Business, Starting a worm farm business, Startup, Start-up Business Plan for Vermicompost, Start-up Business Plan for Vermiculture, Startup ideas, Startup Project, Startup Project for Vermicompost and Vermiculture, Startup project plan, Technology Book on Vermiculture and Vermicompost, Vermicompost - An Organic Gold, Vermicompost Based Profitable Projects, Vermicompost Making Small Business Manufacturing, vermicompost preparation, Vermicompost Processing Industry in India, Vermicompost Production Business, vermicompost production in India, Vermicompost Production Unit, Vermicomposting bin, Vermicomposting business plan India, Vermicomposting for Business Farms, Vermicomposting Materials, Vermicomposting method, Vermicomposting process, Vermiculture and Vermicompost, Vermiculture Based Small Scale Industries Projects, vermiculture business plan, Ways to make Compost, Worm Book for Beginners, Worm Composting, Worm farming for profit
What are the advantages of making one's own compost? Is there really a benefit to using compost as opposed to building soil organic matter through other means? How can the decision about compost making affect a farm's economics? Part of the NOFA Guides series, this manual will help answer these questions, and is specifically intended to address the conditions faced by organic farmers in the Northeast. Information on composting techniques, including: Principles and biology of composting Temperature, aeration and moisture control Composting methods Materials (additives and inoculants, biodynamic preparations) About costs (site preparation, equipment, labor and time) What do you do with it? Compost tea and other brewed microbial cultures Compost and the law With extended appendices including a recipe calculator, potting mix recipes, and a sample compost production budget sheet.
Organic farming is a system approach utilizing the natural cycles and biological interactions for crop production and protection. It aims at harmonizing with nature and a method of production without destroying the environment. Vermitechnology is one of the important components of organic farming. The earthworm (verm) is now known to be a good biological element for the recovery of vermifertilizer and vermin- protein for use in agro-ecosystems, aquaculture, poultry etc. Earthworm culture, popularly called vermiculture is being widely practicised in a big commercialized manner. Therefore, it is high time to enter into the vermitechnology as a part of the biotechnology programme. In India, some companies have adopted vermiculture, but by and large the general awareness remains limited, despite the fact that several non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions are trying hard to popularize vermitechnology. This book is an attempt to help those desirous of starting a vermicutlure and vermicompost industry. Based on this rationale, the Vermiculture Research Station in Aligarh, India embarked on an extensive programme of transferring vermitechnology to the farmers back in 2000 under the Lab to Land programme. The farmers were given specialized training through field demonstrations in vermitechnology, organizing special courses and setting-up their own field units in rural areas. It is heartening to note that female farmers have also come forward in this new venture and are now producing quality vermicompost to supplement their income.
This book makes an attempt to present the available information on organic agriculture in a cogent and easily understandable manner. Though it is not exhaustive, which it is not meant to be, it is felt that book will a give an overview on the subject to the interested reader. A viewpoint on organic agriculture has been presented in the book, based on the experience of the authors. The book contains chapters on organic manures (including green manures), recycling of organic wastes, vermiculture, biofertilizers, organic methods of pest and weed management, integrated nutrient management, farming systems and case studies of organic farming. Selected literature is presented for further reading. A compilation of the available information has been a felt need of students, teachers, research workers and administrators in agriculture.
The quality of agricultural soils are always under threat from chemical contaminants, which ultimately affect the productivity and safety of crops. Besides agrochemicals, a new generation of substances invades the soil through irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and pollutants of organic origin such as sewage sludge or cattle manure. Emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and microplastics are now present in agricultural soils, but the understanding of their impact on soil quality is still limited. With focus on in situ bioremediation, this book provides an exhaustive analysis of the current biological methodologies for recovering polluted agricultural soils as well as monitoring the effectiveness of bioremediation.
