SUGAR AND SUGAR BY PRODUCTS RESEARCH DIVISION SUGAR REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION

MA. FLORENCIA T. LOGROO

Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the process of converting biodegradable farm wastes like sugarcane trash and other household wastes into compost (organic fertilizer) through the action of earthworms. With the aid of the aerobic microorganism (i.e. bacteria and fungi), earthworms digest the processed organic materials with a desirable C:N ratio at favorable temperature and moisture conditions. The desirable C/N ratio of the materials to be composted is in the range of 25-35:1 which means that for every part of nitrogenous material there are 25-35 parts of carbohydrate-rich material.

Why do we have to vermicompost?

Vermi fertilizer enhances farmers productivity and profitability with additional sources of income; Its use increases productivity per hectare of sugarcane, rice, corn, vegetables and other crops and reduces the farmers production costs; It offers viable solution to the challenge of rapidly escalating prices of chemical fertilizers which is now roughly 60 to 100 percent more expensive than they were three years ago; The production of indigenous, locally produced fertilizer would lessen our dependence on other countries meeting domestic food requirements.

Why do we have to vermicompost?

After 10 years of successful vermi culture, it has been found out that vermi fertilizer possesses the following good qualities: Cheaper to produce; Of better quality since it improves soil structure even after repeated use over time; Easier to apply as it is almost pelletized even in its natural form; and Beneficial to local farmers as it fills the growing demand for organically fertilized agricultural products.

Advantages of Vermicompost vs Ordinary Compost

n

n n n

n n

n n

Faster to produce (2-4 weeks with earthworms as bioreactors) Less labor needed worms do the turning over Granular texture (fine and grainy) Greater microbial diversity (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, actinomycetes, and algae) High-quality organic fertilizer (no soil present) Contains humic acid and plant growth regulators (gibberelins, cytokinins, auxins) Pleasant odor and does not heat Produces earthworm biomass

Getting to Know Earthworms

Earthworms are soft-bodied and cold blooded animals that have no special body covering like hairs and scales. They feel and breathe through their skin. With a mouth at the tip of their anterior, they feed on moist organic materials that have been decomposed by bacteria and other microorganisms.

Earthworms prefer clay loam soils with a pH of 6.5-7, withstand temperatures not less than 7.5C and not more than 34C.

Getting to Know Earthworms

The African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) does well in soil with 40-60% organic matter with pH of 5-9, temperature of less that 30C and moisture of 60-75%. It is capable of breeding weekly and producing up to three fertilized eggs per capsule. The young worms emerge after a week of incubation and start feeding. They mature within a month, attain a length of more than 20 centimeters, weigh 3 grams each, and thrive for more than a year, if conditions are favorable.

Vermicompost Production
A moisture content of 60-75% is recommended for efficient composting. Adequate aeration is required. This is achieved through particle size and porosity of materials, the smaller the particle size, the more surface area there are for aeration and bacterial action. The less compact the materials, the greater the aeration. Temperature influences the rate of decomposition, that is, the higher the temperature of the environment, the faster the composting process within limits.

Essential Steps in Vermicomposting Site selection Preparation of substrate Predecomposting procedure Stocking of earthworm Maintenance of the beds Harvesting and processing Packaging and storage

a.Collect sugarcane trashes and animal manure i.e., chicken dung, carabao/cow manure.

SR A

- LG A

REC

b. Chop or shred trashes by the use of mechanical shredder. Chopping or shredding helps speed up decomposition by increasing the surface area available for microbial action and providing better aeration.

c. Mix sugarcane trashes with chicken or carabao/cow manure at a ratio of 7:3 or 70% trashes and 30% animal manure as source of nitrogen.

Pile the substrate in a bed measuring 1 x 10 meters or larger with wooden or cemented sidings. Compost pile is about 2 ft high. Water is added to increase moisture to at least 5070%. A canopy is recommended to protect the beds from direct sunlight and heavy rains. The substrate usually heats up in 24-48 hours which marks the working of the composting process. In four weeks, the temperature drops and its now ready for the stocking of earthworms.

Stock about 2-3 kilos of African night crawler earthworm per ton of substrate. The earthworms placed on top of the pile easily goes down

a.Water the bed regularly to maintain the moisture content of the pile (at least 60%)

b.Clean the surrounding area regularly and check the presence of natural enemies of earthworm like chicken, birds, lizards, toads, ants, beetles, centipedes, etc. Nets may be used to enclose the area.

Harvest the castings at 30-40 days after stocking of earthworms. At this time castings have been reproduced. Control the moisture content of the compost at about 30% or less. Lay new substrate beside the bed ready for harvest so that worms will just move to the new pile. Gathering of castings would be easier. Worms left on the piled castings may be separated by hand and seeded into the new pile of substrate

Sieve the harvested vermicompost to have a finer finish product. For commercial production air dry the vermicompost before packing and storing.

For large scale-operation, the induced worm transfer method and use of mechanical sorter are appropriate. In induced method, a fresh bed of composting materials is laid beside the one to be harvested to induce the worms to migrate from the food-depleted bed to the food-rich one. However, movement takes few days or weeks depending on the density of the worms. Sorting machines are fabricated for faster and efficient separation.

The recovery rate for vermicomposting ranges from 50 to 60% of the original weight of composting materials. In processing, the harvested vermicompost is spread on a covered pavement for air-drying in a period of 2-4 days with a moisture content of more or less 30%.

Processed vermicompost is packed in bags with polythene lining containing 5-50kilograms each. It should be stored in a cool and dry place. Under such conditions, the efficacy of its bioactive elements can be kept indefinitely.

Analysis of Vermicompost
Element
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P205) Potassium (K2 O) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Manganese(Mn) Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe) Zinc (Zn) Organic Matter pH Moisture C:N Ratio
Hda Binunga Buro Buro Hda San Isidro Hda Colansan :70% :75% :75% :75%

Binunga Talisay City

0.724% 2.85% 0.332% 0.400% 0.440% 860 ppm 86 ppm 1.52% 123 ppm 14.23% 5.7 12.40% 19.65%

Buro Buro Alangilan

1.89% 0.80% 2.922% 2.40% 2.89 ppm 377.50 ppm 11.09 ppm 16.14% -

San Isidro Binalbagan

0.5% 1.54% 0.95% 14.06% 65.61% -

Colansan Isabela
1.69% 1.72% 2.76% 18.60% 48.46% -

sugarcane trash + 30% chicken manure grasses + 25% manure sugarcane trash/grasses + 25% carabao/cow manure sugarcane trash/grasses + 25% carabao manure

Analysis of Vermicompost
Element A*
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P205) Potassium (K2 O) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Manganese(Mn) Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe) Zinc (Zn) pH Moisture Organic Matter 0.8 0.37 0.20 0.13 0.17 0.04 0.001 0.42 0.01 4.6 30 -

U.P. LOS BAOS BA B*

1.40 2.53 0.37 3.10 0.40 0.16 0.12 1.50 0.11 6.7 15 -

C*
2.74 1.33 3.54 0.29 0.52 0.03 0.005 0.43 0.01 7.2 35 -

SRA La Granja
0.930 1.01 0.47 0.12 0.148 6.2 42.4 12.17%

U.P Los Baos: *A Grass; B Grass(75%) + Manure(25%); C Grass(75%) + Kakawate(25%) SRA La Granja: 70% sugarcane trash + 30% carabao manure

Vermicompost Analysis Using Different Substrates*

Substrate Combinations Determination (%) Nitrogen (N) Potassium (K2O) Calcium (Ca) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe) Zinc (Zn) pH Animal Manure rat 1.40 0.37 3.10 0.40 1.50 0.15 0.02 0.11 5.70 chicken 1.52 0.49 1.28 0.43 0.24 1.47 0.05 0.02 0.04 7.20 Plant/Leaves peanut neem azolla 1.33 0.47 0.37 1.09 0.51 0.52 0.04 0.003 0.02 7.20 1.05 0.73 0.38 0.53 0.30 0.33 0.02 0.02 5.80 2.26 0.59 1.52 0.05 0.31 0.49 0.05 0.05 5.80 ipil-ipil 2.33 0.59 1.10 0.15 0.33 0.17 0.02 0.004 0.04 5.70 cocodust & ipil-ipil leaves 0.15 0.23 0.04 0.08 0.0 0.15 0.0 0.01 0.02 4.40

Phosphorus (P205) 2.53

0.003 0.008

*Lina Villegas, U.P.L.B.

Bacterial Colony Count after 48 hours incubation*

Dilution Source Vermicompost Media Loam Soil Field soil/mudpress soil/mudpress

Number Diam Number Diam Number Diam (mm) (mm) (mm) Nutrient agar Potato dextrose agar (PDA) Modified soil extract (MSE) Control 190 0 0 0 1.6 20 0 0 0 1.0 34 0 0 0 1.2

*Counts are averages in 6 petri plates; 1 plate = 64 sq cm Count was performed by Dr. Rodolfo V. Estioko

Cost Analysis of 1 ton of Substrate (70% sugarcane trash + 30% chicken manure), Hda Binunga 5 bullcarts of sugarcane trash Shredding (P50/bullcart) Mixing and piling (P0.15/kilo) Maintenance Harvesting Chicken manure (P1.20/kilo) Electricity Oil and fuel P 250 250 150 50 120 360 80 350 P 1,610

Ms. Mary Ann Mirasol

1. Owner of Hda. San Isidro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental 2. Started vermicomposting 7 years ago with only 5 kilos of worms 3. Produces vermicompost 4 tons a week 4. CY 2004-2006 zero inorganic fertilizer; applying vermicompost 20 bags/Ha

Production Data of M.A. Mirasol

Using: Inorganic Fertilizer Reduced Inorganic Zero Inorganic 74 tons/Ha PS/TC = 1.48 V=87599

105 Lkg/Ha Lkg/TC=1.98-2:10

V=87599

113 Lkg/Ha Lkg/TC=2.00-2.10

V=87599

Significant Results: Application of Vermicompost in Sugarcane

Producer/Planter/ Scientist
Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III

Procedure 1 ton/Ha (75% grass + 25% of Gliricidia sepium) + 50% chem. fertilizer

Yield 2.6x increase compared to using 100% chemical fertilizer (taller canes, greener and luxuriant leaves) 70% increase Lkg/TC = 2.10-2.50 55 tons 75 tons

Rolly Bongoyan PAD III

1 ton/Ha (50% grasses + 40% hog manure + 10% mudpress/soil)

Hda. San Isidro Binalbagan, Neg. Occ.

Zero inorganic fertilization

Hda. San Isidro Binalbagan, Neg. Occ.

Zero inorganic fertilization

Materials Commonly Used for Vermicomposting and their C/N Ratios Materials Commonly Used for Vermicomposting and their C/N Ratios

Materials Humus Fresh Manure Food Waste Vegetable Waste Grass Clippings Rotted Manures Legumes Fruit Wastes Corn Stalk Dried Leaves Rice Hull Rice Straw Sugarcane Trash Paper Sawdust Wood

C/N Ratio 10:1 14:1 15:1 15:1 19:1 20:1 25:1 35:1 60:1 60:1 60:1 80:1 150:1 170:1 500:1 700:1

How to Determine the C/N Ratio of a Mixture of Materials How to Determine the C/N Ratio of a Mixture of Materials Sample Mixture: 25 kilos of rice straw 75 kilos of fresh manure Solution: 1. First determine the C/N ratios of the materials Rice straw Fresh manure 2. Use the formula:
=

25 (80 ) + 75 (14 100

80:1 14:1

3 , 050 100

X = 30.5 (C/N ratio of mixture)

STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING
GATHERING OF MATERIALS PREPARATION OF MATERIALS ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION (10-12 DAYS) AEROBIC DECOMPOSITION (30-35 DAYS)

VERMICOMPOST
MARKET

EARTHWORM BIOMASS
VERMI-MEAL PRODUCTION

ON FARM USE

RECYCLE

Contact Persons:
DR. RODRIGO E. TAPAY, CESO VI Manager III, SRA Negros and Panay MA. FLORENCIA T. LOGROO OIC-Sugar & Sugar By-Products Research Division

(034) 433-4962

-Chinese proverb-