Composting of organic materials by red worms
Published on 07 February 2018
Greece
Dytiki Elláda
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About this good practice
The vermicomposting knowledge and high agronomic value products based on the great bio-digestion and biodegradation ability of a farmed earthworm species Lumbricus rubellus (Red Worms) provide sustainable solutions for the soil fertilization and soil improvement. The process of composting with earthworms (vermicomposting), is a natural process where organic waste (leaves, clippings, vegetables etc.) are converted to a rich organic mixture which functions as both a conditioner and as fertilizer. Basic "tool" for the production of composted product (vermicompost) is the earthworm which is the perfect composting reactor and degradation of organic matter after consuming daily amount of food equal to its weight. Composting with earthworms is faster and more efficient than the usual, conventional composting methods (windrow turning) while requiring less space while producing fewer odors. The final product obtained degradation of organic matter is a superior natural product finer texture containing more microorganisms from the natural soil. The fine texture of this mixture further facilitate enzymatic and microbial activity and thus is able to exert its beneficial action more directly to the plant.
Resources needed
The transfer of our knowledge is especially interesting in depressed rural areas. The high quality of the products derived by the digestion of earthworms will enhance the productivity of plants and the soil health.
Evidence of success
Biotechnology for sustainable wastes treatments, where earthworms are employed to convert the organic wastes into humus like material, together with value-added worm product. Earthworms have the ability to swallow and digest solid residues from plant and animal waste as any kind of organic material. That makes them an excellent machine processing and bio-degradable degradation of various difficult and useless to date materials ensuring their use in the form of organic fertilizer + soil improver.
Potential for learning or transfer
The transfer of our knowledge is especially interesting in depressed rural areas. The high quality of the products derived by the digestion of earthworms will enhance the productivity of plants and the soil health.
The value of vermicomposting is teached at local schools and many biological school orchards are created in order to transfer the value of recycling and cultivating in students and teachers.
The advantage of composting is being easily transferable allowing the adaptation of it to domestic management of organic residues by using composting bins and earthworms.
For an acceptable transferability it is necessary to combine both formations, and it is necessary to adapt more to the territory, diversifying the formation.
The value of vermicomposting is teached at local schools and many biological school orchards are created in order to transfer the value of recycling and cultivating in students and teachers.
The advantage of composting is being easily transferable allowing the adaptation of it to domestic management of organic residues by using composting bins and earthworms.
For an acceptable transferability it is necessary to combine both formations, and it is necessary to adapt more to the territory, diversifying the formation.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND OF REGION OF WESTERN GREECE ON BEHALF OF REGION OF WES
Greece
Dytiki Elláda
Contact
Director