๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐, ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐.๐๐. ๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ) ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง ๐
๐๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐.
Vermicomposting is a process that relies on earthworms to help convert organic material to a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients. Vermicompost contains water-soluble nutrients and is an excellent organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is used in gardening and organic farming. It can be applied for sewage treatment as well as vermifiltration. The ease and speed of the vermicomposting as compared to conventional composting provides it an upper edge. The technique is getting popularized for its multiple benefits. Kitchen waste devoid of garlic, ginger or citrus material can be used as organic source for earthworms. Agricultural waste and leaf litter can also be used which is being adopted by most of the educational institutes as a green initiative for sustainable management of waste generated in the campus. Addition of egg shells further enhances the reproductive potential of worms which may lead to development of large quantity of vermiculture.
The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), though European nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis) and red earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) could also be used. Red wigglers are recommended by most vermicomposting experts, as they have some of the best appetites and breed very quickly. Therefore E. fetida was used for setting up the vermicomposting unit. Wheat straw and cow dung were the organic substrates used for earthworms. The pit was prepared using a bed of soil and sand (2-3โ) followed by alternate layers of organic substances i.e. hay and cow dung. The culture was turned twice before introduction of vermiculture. Vermiculture was procured from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Students were introduced to the technique of Vermicomposting by Dr. Sapana Sharma (Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Botany). She also explained the maintenance of pit and separation of the earthworms from prepared compost. Dr. Komal Arora (Head, Deptt. of Botany) thanked Principal Dr. Rajesh Kumar for providing consistent motivation and guidance to involve students in environment friendly practices adopted at DAV College, Jalandhar. She also thanked participants and Mali Ram Dev for making all necessary arrangements. Dr. Shivani Verma was also present at the program.