Vermi-compost from Bamboo leaf 

    It was found that, approximately 11.25 tons of bamboo leaf wastes will be obtained from the one hectare of bamboo forests. Bamboo leaf wastes consist of 19.5-26.3% cellulose, 11.30-13.50% hemi cellulose and 8.7-11.60 % lignin. It also contains 34.6-37.5% organic carbon.

Preparation

Mix the bamboo leaf wastes and cow dung in the ratio of 5:1 and add microbial consortia (@ 2 kg/ton) and allow it for partial composting

Then release the earthworms into the compost pit (Eudrilla euginea)  @ 3 kg/ ton and keep it for 75 days

Finally the vermicompost was prepared after 75 days of composting.

This vermicompost contains

· 1.14% nitrogen

· 0.65% phosphorus

· 0.88% potassium

· 16.54%humus content

 Bamboo production can sequester 2.03 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year, based on 12 data points from four sources. This value includes carbon sequestered in long-lived products from harvested bamboo

Bamboo is a perennial evergreen plant with annual leaf exchange. New leaves emerge in the springtime to gently push off old foliage.

Scientifically speaking bamboo is undoubtedly grass, but in terms of legislation, bamboo is often classified as a tree

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on this planet. It has been recorded growing at an amazing 47.6 inches in a 24 hour period.

Bamboo is a crucial element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  A grove of bamboo release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Because of this, planting bamboo is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight global warming

Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood. It can be harvest in 3-5 years versus 10-20 for most softwoods. It can out yield pine 6 to 1 in biomass production. It is also one of the strongest building materials with a tensile strength of 28,000 psi. To help give you an idea how much this is, mild steel measures 23,000 psi

 

 Recycling of farm waste by vermicomposting

C.Prabakaran

 V. Lakshmanan

A. Sabir Ahamed

D.Saraladevi

__________________________________________________________________________________

Recycle of garden wastes

It has been estimated that organic resources available in the country alone can produce not less than 20 million tonnes of plant nutrients (NPK). Vermicompost technology has promising potential to meet the organic manure requirement in both irrigated and rainfed areas. It has tremendous prospects in converting agro-wastes and city garbage into valuable agricultural input. Thus various economic uses can be obtained from organic wastes and garbage and prevent pollution. From vermiculture, we get well decomposed worm casts, which can be used as manure for crops, vegetables, flowers, gardens, etc. In this process, earthworms also get multiplied and the excess worms can be converted into vermiprotein which can be utilised as feed for poultry, fish, etc. Vermi-wash can also be used as spray on crops

Feed ingredients

Cow dung and agro wastes in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 may be mixed and allowed to predecompose for about 2 weeks in a separate tank adjacent to the vermicompost tank, before being fed to the earthworms.

Process

Ideal tank size for small scale vermicompost production is 10’ x 6’ x 2.5’ (150 cu .ft.)

Under sub optimal moisture conditions the earthworms have a tendency to move downwards towards the bed of the tank. When the moisture, temperature and organic matter are optimum, the size, weight and cocoon producing capacity of earthworm’s increases.

Conversion: One kilogram of worms numbering about 600 to 1000 can convert 25 to 45 kg. of wet waste per week. The compost recovery would be around 25 kg per week under well managed conditions. 

Harvest

The total decomposition may take about 75 – 100 days depending on various factors. Therefore one tank may be used to 4 to 5 times in a year for vermicompost. A few days before the harvest watering of the tank are discontinued to allow migration of worms towards the bottom of the bed. The compost is then transferred outside without disturbing the bed and heaped on a plain open surface. The compost is sieved through a   3 mm mesh and then packed in gunnies.

 About 1700 kg of compost can be obtained from each cycle. While sieving the unhatched cocoons can also be retrieved. The excess worms can be retrieved and put in new tanks or sold or can be sun-dried to make vermin-protein. The cost of vermin-protein can be taken @ Rs. 5/kg. The compost should be sun-dried and then bagged for sale / use.

Methods of waste treatment by Earthworms

1. Solid waste materials may be spread out over the soil surface, usually on pastures. But sometimes on crops or in forests. To be incorporated directly into the soil – earthworms are important contributors to the burial and decomposition of the waste materials.

Wastes may be stacked into heaps or placed in bins, where they are treated like compost heaps-earthworm activity results in the production of large quantities of earthworm casts, which are widely sold as manure.

The second method is easy and is widely practiced in our country.
Vermi Compost tanks – size 20’ x 3 ¼’  x 2’

Total land required for construction of 4 tanks = 900 sq. ft. (30’ x 30’)