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
aquabios@laguna.net
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
weight
Treatment Mean 1st wk Gain (%) 2nd
wk.
Control 3.8 1.2
rice bran only (5% ABW)
I rice bran (90%) and 2.3 4.8
vermicompost (10%)
II rice bran (80%) and 14.0 8.1
vermicompost (20%)
 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

20
g/kg soil

15

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Days after treatment

 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 0 72* 144 215

earthworm
Meal
Initial(g/kg)
live weight 203 201 198 201
(g)

Final live weight 735 725 677 674

(g)

Gain/food per 0.669 0.62 0.619 0.608

unit 8
of food
N-retention 0.588 0.57 0.569 0.599
(g/g diet N) 3

* Recommended rate
 Table 3. GROWTH OF SUCKLING PIGS ON
EARTHWORM DIET

Starter Period Earthworm Meat protein Commercial

(38-50 days) protein diet

Mean weight gain 4.36 3.65 4.26

(kg)

Mean rate of 0.31 0.26 0.30

growth
(kg/day)
Growth Period (84-
95 days)

Mean weight gain 6.54 6.80 6.60

(kg)

Mean rate of 0.47 0.49 0.46

growth
(kg/day)
 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 O ST

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VER LICATIO

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DISEASE ND
CONTROL
 Bacterial Colony Count of Vermicompost sample
after 48 hours incubation
Dilution Source
Vermicompost Loam soil Field (soil+
Media mudpress)
Num- Dia- Num- Dia- Num- Dia-
ber meter ber meter ber meter
(mm) (mm) (mm)
Nutrient agar 190 1.6 20 1.0 34 1.2
Potato dextrose 0 0 0
agar
Modified soil 0 0 0
extract
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 Potato dextrose
(NA) agar (PDA)
Vermicompost (Henares) 957 7
Cultivated soil mixed w/ 556 10
chicken manure & mudpress
Cultivated soil mixed 316 4
mudpress
Cultivated soil (loam) 265 3
Control 0 0

*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 Potato dextrose

(NA) agar (PDA)
Number Dia.(m Number Dia.(m
m) m)
Vermicompost 0 0 12 6-19
(Henares )
Cultivated soil mixed 7 2-11 2 12-18
with chicken manure/
mudpress
Cultivated soil mixed
with mudpress 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 Analysis (based on %
Nitrogen (N) moisture)
0.724%
Phosphorus (P2O5) 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 14.23%
(OM)
pH 5.7
Moisture 12.4%
Vermicompost of Ex-Gov. Daniel (Bitay) Lacson

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

Analysis of SRA Vermicompost
Analysis (based on % moisture)
Element
Sample 1 Sample 2
Nitrogen (N) 1.05% 0.75%
Phosphorus 1.69% 1.96%
(P 2O 5)
Potassium (K2O) 0.36% 0.31%
Calcium (CaO) 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%
SUBSTRATE 70 % Mixed 70% sugarcane
grasses + 30 % trash + 30 %
chicken dung chicken dung

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

 TREATMENTS
Treat- NPK (kg/ha) Vermicompost
ment
A N rec. rate (RR) 0% RR
B 90% RR 10% RR
C 80% RR 20% RR
D 70% RR 30% RR
E RR 2 tons
F RR 4 tons
G RR 6 tons
La Granja, La Carlota City, Neg. Occ. (034)735-0131
Cost and return analysis
Treatments (kg/ha) LKg/Ha Yield Yield Vermi- Added
N Vermicompost 65% difference difference compost benefit/
against the X Php 2.50/ ha.
control Php 950 kilo Php

N recmded. rate
(RR) 105 0 % RR 151.81
90%RR (94.5) 10% RR 142.30 -9.51 - 3,625.70
(1450.28)
80% RR (84) 20% RR 160.00 8.19 7,780.50 7,251.38 529.12
(2900.55)
70% RR (73.5) 30% RR 146.30 -5.51 - 14,502.78
(4350.83)
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 -

 Analysis of experimental site
Soil Properties Initial After
Analysis Harvest
Soil series Guimbalao Guimbalao
Texture n
Sandy n
Sandy
Soil pH loam
5.1 loam
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
%
4.2
O
R
G

M
4
A
T
T
E 3.8
R
A
1 2 B 3 C4 D5 E6 F
7

G
B 200
A
C. 150

100
C
O 50
U
0
N
A
1 2
B 3
C 4
D5 E6 F
7
T
G

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 3 Pass 3,000.00 3,000.00

Leveling 4 MAD 200.00 800.00

Seedbed Prep.
Mounting of beds 4 MD 100.00 400.00
Seed sowing organic
Fertilizer application

Transplanting (pakyaw basis) 3,000.00 3,000.00

Weeding 20 MD 100.00 2,000.00

Particulars QTY Unit Unit Cost Total 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

Cleaning of leaves harvesting

& threshing sharing 8,500.00 8,500.00

Post harvest handling 6 MD 100.00 600.00

Sub Total 20,000.00

Particulars QTY Unit Unit Cost Total Cost

Farm Inputs

Seeds 1 Bag 800.00 800.00

Vermi Compost 63 Bag 100.00 6,300.00
Foliar Fertilizer 4 Qts 250.00 250.00
Organic Pesticides
( Own preparation) 250.00 250.00

Sub Total 8,350.00

TOTAL EXPENSES 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
pcamrd@laguna.net
 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 Earthworm-
based 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