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➢ All layers must be moistened with water.
➢ Partial decomposed materials obtained from first step is to be laded over the bed.

➢ Water is to be sprayed over it to make the moisture availability up to 50%.
➢ Adult earthworms are released in the upper layer of the bed.
➢ Beds should be kept moist by sprinkling of water (daily) and by covering with gunny

bags/polythene.
➢ Earthworms should remain undisturbed for it's multiplication.

➢ Bed should be turned once after 30 days for maintaining aeration and for proper aerobic
decomposition.
➢ The fully prepared vermicompost looks dark brown colored granules, appeared like a handful

of dry CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea.
➢ The vermicompost is fully prepared within 75-90 days.
➢ When raw material is completely decomposed it appears black and granular.

➢ Then it is sieved further and should be separated from any contamination before use in crop
field.

4.1. Maintenance for Vermicompost

The vermicompost production process requires monitoring and control of many abiotic and
biotic parameters. The most important abiotic factors which affect vermicomposting process

include moisture, pH, temperature, aeration, pH value, C:N ratio, ammonia and salt content.

4.1.1. Moisture: A strong relationship exists between the moisture content of organic wastes
and the growth rate of earthworms. In a comparative study on vermicomposting process and

earthworm’s growth at different temperature and moisture ranges showed that 65–75% is most
suitable range of moisture at all ranges of vermicomposting temperature [38]. The bedding used

for vermicomposting must be able to hold sufficient moisture as earthworms respire through
their skins and moisture content in the bedding of less than of 45% can be fatal to the worms.

Although epigenic species, E. fetida and E. andrei can survive moisture ranges between 50%

and 90%, but they grow more rapidly between 80% and 90%. The bacteria also plays vital role
in vermicomposting. Its activity decreases in moisture content lower than 40% and it almost

stops in lower than 10% [20, 39].

Vermicompost production process is always better to maintain a humid environment, but

without becoming waterlogged, as this reduces the amount of oxygen available. Shuffling the

substrate can help in the necessary aeration and distribution of any liquid that may accumulate.
It should be wettest in the surface, to keep most of the activity there. You must pay attention to

the ambient temperature, especially in warm periods, to prevent the worms from drying out.

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