Indian J. Agric Res.. 39 (4) : 235 - 241.

2005

STUDIES"ON THE VERMICULTURE TECHNIQUE AND EFFICACY

OF VERMICOMPOST IN SUBSTITUTING NPK AND FYM
REQUIREMENTS OF MORUS ALBA L.
P.S. Sinha·. Ram Nagina. B.D. Singh···. U.P. Griyaghey··.
B. Saratchandra···· and B.R.R.P. Sinha·
Regional Sericultural Research Station.
Central Silk Board. Ministry of Textiles. Government of India.
Vinod Villa. West End Park. P.O. Hehal. Ranchi - 835 303. India
ABSTRACT
The paper deals with studies done at research station as well as at farmer's field, covering
various relevant aspects of use of vermiculture in sericulture like standardization and evaluation
of an economic non tank technique of vermiculture, using Eisenia foetida, a non diapausing
earthworm species, and efficacy of vermicompost in substituting NPK and FYM requirements of
mulberry (MOTUS alba). It also takes into account the impact of vermicompost on growth and leaf
out put and also the quality of leaf of Morus alba, as assessed through rearing of mulberry
silkworm Bombyx mori, on the leaf produced i.e. through bioassay. The reeling aspects of
cocoon prtlduced were also studied. These investigations suggest up to 70% substitution of
chemical fertilizer, which is not only expensive but is being considered now days as soil pollutants
and are known of having ill effects on the soil properties, as well as complete substitution of
FYM for mulberry cultivation, without affecting the quantity and quality of leaf produced. The
quality of the silk produced was also not affected by this substitution This may come handy for
that major sector of rain-fed mulberry sericulture, which is associated with non-productive land
of farmers coming from economically weaker sections.

INTRODUCTION those sericulture farmers coming from poor

Though the ill effect of prolonged use
of chemical fertilizer on physical and chemical
properties of soil are well established, still it
has been a compulsion to apply it in the fields
to enhance the productivity of crops and
mulberry is no exception to it. In places, where
mulberry sericulture was introduced in recent
past and mulberry sericulture has yet to
convince, of its excellent profitability to the rural
folk, farmers generaUy do not offer their
productive land for mulberry cultivation and
most of the time less fertile upland are utilized
for mulberry cultivation. This results in a low
leaf out put per unit area and poor economic
return from sericulture. The rising cost of
chemical fertilizer is also adding to woes, of
Prese'1t address:
• Central Tasar Research and Training Institute. Central Silk Board. P.O. Piska. Nagri. Ranchi. Jharkhand . Pin
835303 India / Also corresponding author.
•• Retired from the above institute.
... R.S.R.S Sahaspur. Dehradun. Uttaranchal. India .
•••• C.S.R. and T I Serhampore. Dist. Murshidabad. W.S .. India.
socia-economic strata.
Vermicompost is fast gaining
popularity as a tool of reclamation of wasteland.
Bhawaikar (1993) used vermicompost for
reclamation of wasteland. Use of vermi castings
as bio fertilIzer can be one of the measures to
overcome productivity crisis in agriculture and
playa multifaceted role in the improvement
of soil texture through its influence on soil pH,
as agent of physical decomposition, by
promoting humus formation. by improving soil
texture and its enrichment (Venkateshwarlu,
1995). Desai (1992) reported that by using
vermiculture, the cost of production could be
substantially reduced by way of replacing
chemical fertilizer. Earthworm's castings are
236 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

quite rich in Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal per Sq. ft. were released. On this layer one 9
(VAM) propagules and enhance humus (Kale, - 12" thick layer of cowdung or the mixture of
1995). cowdung and other organic substances in semi
The present study was carried out with decomposed form was kept. The partial
a view to standardize and evaluate one low decomposition was carried in pits dug on the
cost non- tank technique of vermiculture using earth, with material moistened with water from
a non diapausing species of earth worm Le. time to time. These beds were provided with
Eisenia foetida and to test the efficacy of shades made up thin mulberry twigs and paddy
vermicompost in substl'tuting, NPK and FYM straw and were well covered by a gunny cloth,
requirement of mulberry plants with due moistened frequently by sprinkling water on it.
regards to growth and qualitative and Fortnightly observation on population of
quantitative modulations of leaf production. earthworms was made.
Qualitative assessment was made through Three different types of decomposing
bioassay Le. rearing silkworms (Bombyx mon1 materials viz., a) Pure cow dung, b) Mixture of
on these leaves and evaluating its rearing and 50% cow dung and 50 % other decomposing
reeling aspects, to come out with a organic materials like silkworm rearing wastes,
comprehensive package of vermiculture and farm refuse, weeds mulberry leaves etc. in semi
use of vermicompost in mulberry sericulture decomposed form, c) Mixture of cowdung and
for improving the leaf production and income other decomposing material in proportion of
per unit area from sericulture specially in those 30 : 70, d) Only decomposing material
sectors where less fertile uplands of poor mentioned above but without cowdung. Time
farmers is under use.
taken for converting these different types of
MATERIAL AND METHODS materials into vermicompost was recorded.
The study was carried out in three When the upper layer containing the material
phases: intended to be converted into vermicompost
Phase 1. Standardization and was fully decomposed, spraying of water was
evaluation of a non-tank technique of discontinued. With the loss of moisture,
vermiculture: One non-tank technique of
earthworms gradually moved in deeper
vermiculture was standardized and evaluated.
bedding layer. When the upper layer was dried
Since it has to be a non-tank technique, so
up it was removed and filled in the bags and
various types of bases were evaluated on the
basis of multiplication/ population density of the process was repeated.
earthworms. Vermiculture was carried out on Phase 2. Evaluation ofvermicompost
three types of bases Le. Cemented base, at Research Station level: The existing
Polythene base and Direct culture on the soil. mulberry plantation of Regional Sericulture
Beds of 4' x 2' were prepared using these three Research Station, Ranchi farm was plotted
types of bases. On these three types of bases, follOWing RED design. Treatments taken were
9" thick layer of sand or sandy soil was kept on T1 = Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr
which 3-4" thick layer of thin mulberry twigs T2 = Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr + NPK
and paddy straw was kept which served as @ 36:12:12 kg/ha/yr Le. 30% of
bedding for earthworms. On this bedding one . recommended NPK dose
4" layer of semi decomposed cow dung was T3 = Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr + NPK
kept. In this cowdung layer earth worms (Bsenia @ 60:20:20 kg/ha/yr Le. 50% of
foetida, anon diapausing species) @ 250 worms recommended NPK dose
 Vol. 39. No.4. 2005 237

T4 = FYM @10 MT/ha/yr months) and highest population (10000) was

T5 = Combination of FYM @10 MT + NPK observed in beds having cement base, followed
@ 36: 12: 12 kg/ha/yr Le. 30% by polythene base (With corresponding values
fertilizer dose for rainfed mulberry being 3100% and 8000) and least, in culture
cultivation. done directly on the soil (with the corresponding
T6 = FYM@ 10 MT + NPK@ 120:40:40 values being 700% and 2000). The poor
kg/ha/yr Le. full dose recommended multiplication in direct culture on the soil was
for rain fed areas partially due to losses because of downward
T7 = Control (No FYM, no vermicompost movement of worms into the soil and partially
and no NPK). due to frequent attack by ant so naturally
Three replication of each treatment cement base is best, however for economy sake
were maintained and three observations on (Table 1) polythene base may be preferred as
growth and leaf yield data were r.ecorded: it costs 40.8% less. It is also evident from Table
1, this non tank technique is economic, as in
Phase 3. Field testing of tank technique a handsome amount of approx.
vermicompost at farmers fields: Rs. 5000.00 is spent for constructing tanks,
Vermicompost was field tested at 10 farmers thus saving Rs. 4000.00 and Rs. 4830.00 by
mulberry farm vis a vis FYM and FYM + NPK cement base and poythene base technique
@ 36:12:12 kg/ha/yr. In the existing
respectively. Further stratification made here
plantation of each farmer three plots of 2268 makes separation of earthworm and
sq. ft. were earmarked and plotted The three vermicompost easy.
plots were provided with three treatments as
under. Treatment taken at each farmers field Table 2 depicts rate of conversion of
were decomposing material into vermicompost. As
T1 = FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr is seen. fastest conversion (Within 19 days) of
T2 = Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr organic matter into vermicompost was
T3 = FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ observed where pure cow dung was used which
36: 12: 12 kg/ha/yr Le. 30% of was followed by 50:50 mixture of cow dung
recommended NPK dose. and other material (27 days) and 30% and 70%
mixture of cow dung and other materials (40
Each farmer was considered as a one days) and in sets where no cow dung was used
block Le. replicate thus there were 10 the conversion took 70 days thus suggesting
replicates to each treatment. cow dung serve as good starter and accelerator
Leaf harvest data were recorded for decomposition.
thrice at each farmer's field. Leaves produced Phase 2. Data on growth and leaf yield
under different treatments were put to bioassay are presented in Table 3. As can be seen from
through silkworm rearing (500 worms per table, vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr produced
replication) during all the 3 harvest. Rearing 23.74% more leaf than FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr
data on the bioassay were rer.orded and reeling and the leaf yield difference between
analysis of cocoon was also .carried out. vermicompost @ 5 MT + NPK @ 36:12:12
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Le. 30% NPK, vermicompost 5 MT + NPK @
Phase 1: Data on multiplication of 60:20:20 Le. 50% NPKand FYM @ 10 MT +
earth worms on three types of bases are NPK @120:40:40 are not statistically different,
presented in Fig. 1 and 2. It may be seen fastest which clearly' suggest that combination of 5 MT
multiplication (3900% over a period of 5 vermicompost + NPK @ 36: 12: 12 kg/ha/yr
238 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

.1st/)

c: ~:
.Q
10
:3 ~·-Sfl~,
C.
0
c. 3000 , ,.,~.~", .•.",
··"-""·;EJ Direct culture on soil
.s
Cll
V) 2SoJO ,_! E9 Polythene base
<tI
...Cll
u 2(lO)
'13 Cement base
.s
c
~
Cll
U
...
,~OO

1'30()
I
,

~j - 4 11

Time in fortnights

Fig. 1. Per cent increase in earthworms population on different types of cultures

'0 12000
1:
...
Cll
c. 10000
ci
~ ___ Direct culture on soil
V)

E
8000 ....... Culture on polysheets
...
~ 6000
-M- Culture on cement base
"€<tI
Cll

'0 4000
c:
0
~ 2000
:3
c.
0
0-
0
2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11
Time in fortnights

Fig. 2. Population growth of earthworms (Eisenia foetida) cultured on different types of bases

is as good as FYM @ 10 MT + NPK @ contents of vermicompost but mainly due to its

120:40:40 kglha/yr Le. the recommended serving as a seat for micro organisms
dose of fertilizer for rain fed area so existing responsible for fixing/making available Nand
10 MT FYM+ NPK @ 120:40:40 can very P etc, as vermicompost is known to serve as
well be replaced by 5 MT vermicompost + excellent base for establishment and
NPK @ 36:12:12 kglha/yr thus saving 70% multiplication of beneficial microbes which
of NPK and full FYM. Substitution seems to helps in fixing nitrogen besides enhancing the
brought out partially due to rich nutrient availability of phosphorous and nitrogen and
 Vol. 39. No.4. 2005 239

Table 1. Comparative expenditure of different Vermiculture techniques

Items Cost (Rs.)
Tank type Non tank type
Cement base Polythene base Direct culture
on the soil
Cost of tank (18'x4'x3') 5000.00 nil nil nil
Cost of basements (18'x4'x6") 1000.00 170.00 nil
Cost of digging decomposition pit 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00
Initial cost of the earth worms 400.00 400.00 400.00 400.00
(2000 nos.) @ Rs. 20.00/
1000 worms
Operational cost 560 560 560 560
Total cost 6030.00 2030.00 1200.00 1030.00

Table 2. Time taken for conversion of different materials used for decomposition into Vermicompost
S.No. Material used Days required for conversion
into vermicompost
1 Pure cowdung 19
2 50% cow dung + 50% other materials 27
3 30% cow dung + 70% other materials 40
4 Other materials only and no cowdung 70

Table 3. Growth and leaf yield of MOTUS alba. as influenced by Vermicompost. FYM, NPK and
their combinations under rain fed conditions'
S.No. Package/treatments Leaf yield Plant No. of Average Average
(MT/ha/ height effective no. of leaf
three (cm) branches leaves/ area
harvests (No.) plant (No.) (Sq. cm)
1 Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 8.86 140.10 14.00 224.6 95.00
2 Vermicompost @'5 MT + 30% NPK/ha/yr 9.96 149.00 1530 231,0 95.98
3 Vermicompost @ 5 MT + 50% NPK /ha/yr 10.08 145.70 16.30 235.0 96.30
4 FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 7.16 138.00 12.30 205.5 94.50
5 FYM @10MT + NPK 30% /ha/yr 8.73 141.70 14.60 229.3 99.50
6 FYM @10MT + NPK full dose 10.1 152.00 16.80 238.5 95.00
7 Control' ' 4.68 110.00 13.40 198.0 60.50
CoO. at 5% 0.23 7.12 NS 6.7 7.65
• Values are the mean of three harvests.

uptake of phosphorous by plant (Kale, 1995).
Chowdappa et a/. (1999) observed
considerably higher microbial population and
higher level of micro and macro nutrient
contents with vermicompost. Gangadhar and
Andanigowda (1997) observed increased
phosphates with vermicompost. Vasanthi and
Kumarswamy (1999) observed higher organic
contents and available NPK with
vermicomposts + NPK than with NPK alone.
Earthworm castings are also known to be quite
rich in Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM)
propagules and are known to enhance humus
(Kale, 1995). Bhagesha et aJ. ( 1997) have
found that good quality compost can replace
FYM and chemical fertilizers to some extent.
As evident from Table 3, other growth attribute
like, plant height, branches, leaves followed
almost same pattern in response to various
treatments as shown by leaf yield which s'..lggest
240 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Table 4. Leaf yield as influenced by Vermicompost at farmer's level

Crop Treatments Leaf yield Gain in C.D. at 5cM,
MT/ha/yr leaf yield
overFYM
alone (%)
Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 2.05 +30.6 0.130
FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 1.57
FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 2.16 +37.5
II Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 1.74 +29.9 0.085
FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 1.34
FYM it(l MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 1.80 +34.3
III Vermi~mpost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 1.78 30.8 0.081
FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 1.36
FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 1.81 33.09
Pooled Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 5.57 30.44 0.079
values FYM@ 10 MT/ha/yr 4.27
of three FYMI0 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 5':77 35.12
crops
* Pooled values of three crops.

Table 5. Bioassay results of field-testing of vermicompost at farmer's level

Crop Treatments Cocoon ERR*/ Average Average SR %**
yield 100 single single
(Per 100 dfl) worms cocoon shell
weight weight
(gm) (gm)
Vermicompost @' 5MT/ha/yr 37.25 6916 1263 0.215 17.02
FYM@10MT/ha/yr 35.6 6714 1271 0.219 17.02
FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 39.31 7460 1270 0.216 17.01
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS
II Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 34.58 7110 1274 0.202 15.85
FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 34.01 7070 1290 0.208 16.12
FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 34.44 7216 1241 0.199 16.04
CD at %5 NS NS NS NS NS
III Vermicompost @ 5MT/ha/yr 34.33 6314 1.44 0.22 15.23
I-l'M @ 10 MT/ha/yr 34.4 6234 1.43 0.22 15.52
FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 35.2 6226 1.4 022 15.9
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS
* Effective rate of rearing
"Silk ratio

Table 6. Reeling parameters of the cocoons as influenced by vermicompost at Farmer's level

S.No. Treatment Filament NBFL' (m) Denier
length (m)
1 Vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr 514.5 349.4 2.093
2 FYM @ 10 MT/ha/yr 512.7 354 2.13
3 FYM 10 MT/ha/yr + NPK @ 36:12:12/ha/yr 510.83 348.1 2.13
CD at 5% NS NS NS
NBFL= Non-breakable filament length.

that increase in leaf yield is brought out by Phase 3: Leaf yield data at farmer
increased growth of branches and leaves etc. level and bioassay results of leaves produced
 Vol. 39. No.4. 2005 241

through silkworm rearing are presented in rearing refuge can very well replace FYM which
Table 4 and 5 respectively. As evident from is produced at a comparative.ly slower pace
data, vermicompost @ 5 MT/ha/yr constantly and is not easy to get at all places and 70% of
gave higher leaf yield than obtained in 10 MT NPK without affecting the quality and quantity
FYM and this leaf yield was at par with FYM @ of leaves produced thus giving considerable gain
10 MT+ 30 % NPK Le. @ 36:12:12 Kg/ha/ to farmers through reduced maintenance cost
yr, which suggests that Vermicompost is much particularly expenses on chemical fertilizer.
more than a mere compost which can not only Desai (1992) had also observed partial
substitute the FYM but chemical fertilizers too substitution of chemical fertilizers through
to a good extent. vermicompost. Besides the ill effects of
Qualitative evaluation of leaves through chemical fertilizer on physical and chemical
bioassay: properties of soil are also taken care of. On
Table 5 depicts bioassay results of the contrary the prolonged use of
leaves produced under these treatment vermicompost may even reclaim the waste land
through silkworm rearing. It evident that into fertile land through its influence on soil
pH and serving as an agent of physical
treatments used did not affect bioassay results.
decomposition by promoting humus formation
The cocoon yield, single cocoon weight, single
(Venkateshwarlu, 1995). Phule (1993) used
shell weight and !'i.\k ratio (SR) % were not
vermicompost farming on waste lands and
statistically different in various treatments which
Bhawalkar, (1993) used it for reclaiming
suggest that qualitatively leaf produced under wastelands. Vermicompost contains a good
different treatments are not different Le. there amount of macro and micronutrients. It also
is no detrimental effect of reducing NPK by serves as a very good base for establishing and
70%, on the leaf quality. multiplication of beneficial symbiotic microbes
Reeling data presented in Table 6, which helps in fixing nitrogen in the soil, besides
further strengthens this. As can be seen from enhancing the availability of phosphate and
data, average filament length, average non- nitrogen and uptake of phosphate by plants
breakable filament length and denier were also (Kale, 1995).
not affected. This further speaks that there is Thus vermiculture may be a boon to
no ill effect of reducing NPK supply by 70%. mulberry sericulture particularly for those
These findings suggest that pockets. where less fertile uplands of
vermicompost which can be produced at a very economically backwards classes are under use
faster pace by utilizing all sorts of farm and of mulberry cultivation.
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Bhagesha. K et al. (1997). Indian J. Seric.. 36(1): 30-34.
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3 Dec. 1993.
Chowdappa P. et al. (1999). Indian J. Agric. Sci.• 69: 563-6.
Desai. A. (1993). "Congress of Traditional Science and Technology of India" 1.1.T. Bombay. 28 Nov. to 3 Dec.
1993.
Gangadhar. H.S. and Andanigowda (1995). Proc. "Role of Earthworms in Soil Fertility and Vermicomposting
Technology" University of Agricultural Sciences. Bangalore. pp. 56. .
Kale. KD. (1995). Indian Silk Seotember 1995. pp. 6.
Phule. KL. (1993). In: Congress on Traditional Science and Technology in India. I.I.T. Bombay 23 Nov.-Dec.
1993.
Vasanthi. D. and Kumarswamy. K (1999): J. Indian Soc Soil Sci .. 47: 268-272.
Venkateswarlu. B. (1995). Composing the decomposed. India Silk September 1995. pp. 5.