Do You Know?
What is Vermicompost?
What is Vermicompost?
It is the product obtained as a result of the composting process of organic wastes using earthworms. Vermicompost is a good compost and an environmentally friendly production material with superior properties that can be used easily in organic agriculture. Vermi means “worm” in Latin, and when combined with the word compost, it means “vermicompost, that is, worm compost”, and is a term that has become increasingly popular all over the world. In our country, the definition of vermicompost is mostly used instead of vermicompost, and its popularity is increasing due to its many beneficial properties.
What are the fields of use?
Vermicompost is an important organic fertilizer used as solid, liquid or tea in every environment where soil and plants are concerned, in fields where field cultivation is carried out, vegetable gardens, greenhouses, orchards and gardens, depending on the needs and environmental conditions.
What are the benefits?
Vermicompost regulates acidic soils and makes them suitable for agriculture. It enriches the soil in terms of beneficial microorganisms and reunites the microorganisms it has with the soil. Microorganisms in contact with the soil contribute to the decomposition of soil organic matter and reduce the large molecules in the soil that the plant cannot use to the size that the plant will take. Vermicompost is a good organic fertilizer and also an effective soil conditioner.
Vermicompost is very rich in minerals. In vermicompost, 97% of the nutrients, especially N, P and K elements, can be taken directly by the plant during growth. Since the materials contained in vermicompost are covered with worm coelomic fluid, they do not mix with the soil immediately. In this way, they can feed the plant for a longer time without being exposed to leakage like other chemical fertilizers. Vermicompost imparts good physical properties to the soil by improving the structure of the soil it is applied to. It increases the infiltration power and water holding capacity of the soil.
What is the Place of Worms in History?
Vermicompost has been used in China for 6000 thousand years.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, 3500 years ago, said that worms are the intestines and internal organs of the soil and stated at every opportunity that these small animals are very important for the soil.
Small-sized vermicompost systems were used in ancient Rome.
Worms were considered sacred in ancient Egypt. Queen Cleopatra (BC 69-30) forbade worms to be taken out of the country, and punished those who did not comply with this law with the death penalty.
Charles Darwin, who has studied worms for 39 years, says that worms soften and improve the soil, decompose plant wastes and increase soil fertility.