Fine Black Gold for Home Gardening

Eng. Lanka Ramanayaka, BSc(Eng.), PG.Dip(BSE), CEng., MIE(SL), MEC(SL)

PUBLISHED ON June 10, 2021

What is this black gold ?

Nicknamed Black Gold, it is vermin-compost made from worms. This can be made at home at low cost and is made using decomposing waste, kitchen waste. This nutrient rich fertilizer is a great application for organic crops.

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Figure 1: This nutrient rich fertilizer is a great application for organic crops.

Farmer's Friend ...

We have seen that earthworms are abundant in the soil at a time when the use of chemical fertilizers was very low in the past. Soil with earthworms is considered suitable for fertile as well as sustainable cultivation. But, unfortunately, it is difficult to find even a single earthworm in the soil as a result of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides today. This has led to a number of environmental problems, including deteriorating soil health and water pollution.

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Figure 2: Soil with earthworms is considered suitable for fertile as well as sustainable cultivation.

Moths are considered secondary decomposers. Earthworms feed on the soil and excrete it back into the soil. This fertilizer is commonly known as earthworm compost. Red earthworms are one of the 3-4 species used for earthworm compost. These are scientifically known as Eisenia foetida.

These earthworm species are mostly used for earthworm manure. They have the ability to survive even under severe environmental changes. It can also depend on a variety of organic substances. The ability of worms to form casts is between 4-7 mg per day. They weigh 0.7-1.5 g and live for about 70 days. One animal is capable of producing about 250 worms in 6 months. Also, moths can eat about 50% of their body weight organic matter per day. Mortar compost can be made in about 3 months by providing the required raw material and optimum quality. In addition, there are about 2500 other earthworm species.

Why Organic Cultivation ?

As a result of the Green Revolution of the 1960s, agrochemicals such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as improved seeds were used extensively to increase yields. But, unknowingly, man had to experience soil infertility, loss of sustainability and an increase in various diseases that afflict mankind.

CKDu (Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain etiology), which is currently spreading rapidly in the North and North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka for no apparent reason, may have been caused by this agrochemical overuse. Therefore, due to the increasing focus of farmers on organic farming today and the state sponsorship of it, this earthworm fertilizer is an important application in organic farming as a very good application

What are the advantages of use ?

Organic fertilizers obtained by earthworms are important for several reasons. One of these is the ability to recycle recyclable waste to reduce pollution. In addition, earthworm manure has many other advantages over the use of organic manure, including the low cost of production, the availability of nutrient-rich organic manure, and the non-toxicity of the soil.

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Figure 3: Organic fertilizers obtained by earthworms are important for several reasons

Composition and properties of earthworm manure

1. Enzymes include digestive enzymes such as protease, amylase, and cellulose. It breaks down large particles into smaller parts. It enhances the activity of soil organisms. 2. Contains vitamins, antibiotics and growth hormone. 3. Free from pathogens. 4. With earthworm eggs. It increases the population. Ensures soil sustainability.

Want To Get Into The Gift Basket Business ?

With an organic home garden, you can use the resources available in your backyard to get the right crop for your family's consumption. The food so obtained is safe. Free of toxins. You can prepare a mulch compost bin for this.

Disposable vegetable parts, vegetable, fruit peels, egg shells, dung, dried grass, dried leaves, leaf litter, cardboard etc. can be used as raw material for earthworm manure. Onions, garlic, lime peels, milk, meat, fish, spices and pet carcasses should not be used. For this you can use a wooden box 40 cm x 60 cm long and 30 cm high or a plastic crate as shown in Figure 4. A perforated pot is more appropriate.

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Figure 4. Plastic fitting with lid

Then alternate the topsoil (dung, dried leaves, grass) and mulch soils as shown in Figure 5. Thin paper, wood powder and paper can also be used for extra. The earthworms need to be provided with the necessary temperature, humidity and human. Two pots prepared in this way can be set at a distance of about 5 cm. This will allow you to fill one container after another. The moths also have the ability to move from one container to another depending on their food needs. It is also advisable to mix it up every time you collect garbage in the home kitchen. Laying a piece of dry grass or sack on top of the pot can be done. It is also advisable to apply a lid over the pot. Avoid exposing the pot to direct sunlight.

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Figure 5. Earthworm compost bin with mites

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Figure 6. Earthworm compost with moths

The spawning cycle of earthworms is about 5 weeks. After about 4 weeks, stop littering and allow compost to form. This takes about 3 months. Once the mites have finished digesting the waste, they can be removed in 3 ways. That is, manual removal, removal when they move to the bottom of the box in response to a small light bulb, and composting with moths on a net and then removing the moths as they move through the gums when fresh food / raw material is applied to the underside. 3 yrs. There may also be ight brown lemon-shaped eggs.


Earthworm liquid / earthworm tea

What is this earthworm liquid ?

Liquid worm manure is one of the most valuable natural organic fertilizers as well as earthworm compost used for home gardening. This requires the creation of a special template, and the addition of organic matter and worms to the template can be done as before. See Figure 6.

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Figure 7. Earthworm liquid fertilizer making plant

1. First take a barrel that can hold about 50 liters of water, drill a hole in the bottom and install a 1/2 inch tap.
2. Then place the barrel on a support about a foot high.
3. Take a 1.5-inch open PVC pipe at both ends and hold it in the barrel by drilling holes in the bottom pipe section.
4. Now close the faucet and fill it with water to a height of about a foot, place a thin layer of sand 20-25 cm high, open the faucet and let the water out. (Water flow potential can be measured here)
5. Now take the earthworms with them and apply a layer of soil 40-45 cm high.

Eng. Lanka Ramanayaka - CEO
Design Knigdom Lk
BSc(Eng), PG Dip.(BSE), CEng., MIE(SL), MEC(SL)
Chartered Engineer

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