Although this quote refers to earthworms in the garden similar statements can be found for vemicomposting. Secretions in the intestinal tracts of earthworms, along with soil passing through the earthworms, make nutrients more concentrated” (ref 3). “Earthworm castings in the home garden often contain 5 to 11 times more nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium than the surrounding soil. It is not quite clear how the term usable is defined. In worm bins receiving minimal management (most home systems), vermicompost is ready in 4 to 6 months. In a commercial setting, which is maximized for productivity, usable vermicompost is ready in as little as 6 weeks. I can only assume that in a worm compost bin, the casts get re-eaten by other worms?
This external processing may in fact be the most significant part of the composting process. A point that is not emphasized enough is the fact that much of the composting process takes place after the casts exit the worm. It does some digestion, but its main contribution to the process is that it breaks organic matter into small pieces and mixes it with microbes. The worm is not really doing much composting. Vermicomposting – What Happens Outside The Worm? These microbes play a major role in the digestion of organic matter. The worm controls moisture and pH levels to favor the growth of microbial populations. This all sounds quite normal for an animal digestion system but there is one other key ingredient, microbes. Similar to our own intestine, it absorbs nutrients that are needed by the worm.
The material then moves into the intestine where fluids are added to further digest the food. The gizzard uses swallowed stones to mash food into small particles. The food then moves on through the crop and into the gizzard. The esophagus adds calcium carbonate as a way for the worm to rid itself of excess calcium. Worms eat soil and organic matter which travels down a long digestive tube that consists of several key sections. Vermicomposting – What Happens Inside the Worm? I expected to see a bunch of vermicompost specific benefits but did not find any, except for the fact that it is easily done in small batches in the home. If you read through the list of claims you quickly realize that the claims are either false, or that they equally apply to most forms of compost.
Stimulates root growth – nutrients do not stimulate root growth.
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