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for other systems. Also, since feeding and harvesting are continuous, more inputs (feed) and

labour are required.

Table 1. The general summary of batch vermicomposting, continuous substrate and/or earthworms
feed reactors and composite frame systems for continuous substrate feeding [11].

Windrow vermicomposting Vermicomposting with
or traditional continuous substrate and Composite frame structured system for
vermicomposting earthworms addition continuous substrate feed

It treat large quantity of waste but in a
It treats large quantity of waste It also treat large quantity of waste
consistent small quantities
It require small area of land when It require very small area of land for its
–
composted in a container operation
– – Its substrate treatment duration is short
May not be affected by cold if Cold weather does not affect the system since it
– carried out in a wooden container could be installed in door
Advantages
It has low capital requirement Low capital is required The cost of installation is relatively low
Vermicompost is easily harvested since the
worms migrate out of the mature vermicompost
– –
into the freshly added substrate in the upper
compartment
Operating conditions could easily be
– – maintained via mechanical aeration, watering to
maintain humidity and regulate the temperature
It may require large area of land if
It require large area of land –
using the windrow method
Its operation is equally labour
Its operation is labour intensive –
intensive
Waste processing is relatively slow
but faster than windrow
Waste processing is slow –
vermicomposting without regular
earthworms addition
Cold weather also affect the
Environmental conditions like
Disadvantages cold slow down the treatment efficiency of the process if the –
vermireactor is material other than
process and accelerate the time
wooden container
There is tendency to loose Nutrients loss is inevitable –
nutrients through leaching
Vermicompost harvesting is Earthworms separation makes this
difficult since it requires process tedious –
earthworms separation
It could develop anaerobiosis if – –
covered with plastic sheets
Maintaining a constant Here it is difficult to also maintain
operating condition is difficult a uniform operating condition –

2.2. Methods

Vermicomposting can be done in several ways (drum system, vegetable handle system, tree base), but
bed, pit, and bin operations are the most popular, of which three are the main methods. The first of these
is the bed method. In this method, organic matter is arranged in the form of a bed. The second method

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