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Compost or Vermicompost gives essential nutrients to the soil, which can be generally termed as Manure. In simple words, Manure has a lot of organic matter and provides a few nutrients to the soil. The breakdown of animal excreta and plant waste produces manure. Manure contributes to soil fertility by supplementing it with nutrients and organic materials. The majority of organic matter in manure aids in soil structure improvement. This entails improving the capacity of sandy soils to store water.
In clayey soils, Large amounts of organic matter aid in drainage and prevent waterlogging. Biological waste material is used in manure, which benefits our environment by reducing the need for fertilizers. Using biological waste is another approach to recycle farm waste. Depending upon the type of biological material used, the manure is classified as-
- Compost or vermicompost
- Green Manure
| Table of Content |
Keyterms: Compost, Vermicompost, nutrients, soil, Manure, fertilizers, Green Manure, farm waste, Thermophilic bacteria, Yeast, microbes
What is Compost?
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The compost contains a lot of organic materials and nutrients. It is prepared from farm waste like cow dung, animal refuse, vegetable waste, domestic waste, eradicated weeds, sewage waste, straw, etc. The waste is decomposed in pits, and this process of preparing compost is called composting. Composting is done by biodegradation of the waste, and organic matter.
The waste materials are decomposed by microbes, namely Thermophilic bacteria. Yeast also helps in the preparation of compost. The compost is rich in minerals and micronutrients, thus makes the soil good for plantation and farming.
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What is Vermicompost?
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The vermicompost is prepared from organic wastes. It is a natural and biological process in which compost is also prepared by using worms like earthworms, white worms, red wrigglers, etc. Earthworms transform organic wastes into manure, which is rich in nutritional content and used as biofertilizers, organic farming, and other sewage treatment. This process is called vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is different from composting because vermicompost is made by the degradation of organic matter.
Difference between Compost and Vermicompost
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The differences between compost and vermicompost are listed below:
| Compost | Vermicompost |
|---|---|
| Compost is made from all sorts of waste products. | Vermicompost is made from only organic waste products. |
| Compost is prepared from biodegradation of waste. Composting is done by microbes | Vermicompost is prepared by the degradation of waste. Earthworms are used in the process to fasten the degradation. |
| Composting is done by Thermophilic Bacteria. | Vermicomposting is done by Mesophilic Bacteria. |
| Compost has lesser nutrients. | Vermicompost has more nutrients. |
| The process of composting requires a larger space or area. | The process of vermicomposting requires comparatively less space or area. |
| The production of compost requires more time. | The production of vermicompost requires comparatively less time. |
| The production of compost requires more maintenance and labor | The production of vermicompost requires comparatively less maintenance and labor |
| Compost contains a good amount of minerals and micronutrients. | Vermicompost contains a good amount of minerals, hormones, and micronutrients. |
| Compost does not contain plant growth regulators. | Vermicompost contains plant growth regulators. |
Things to Remember
- The breakdown of animal excreta and plant waste produces manure.
- Manure contributes to soil fertility by supplementing it with nutrients and organic materials. This entails improving the capacity of sandy soils to store water.
- Depending upon the type of biological material used, the manure is classified as-
1. Compost or vermicompost
2. Green Manure - The compost is prepared by decomposing farm waste like cow dung, animal refuse, vegetable waste, domestic waste, eradicated weeds, sewage waste, straw, etc. in pits.
- Compost is made by biodegradation of the waste. The waste is decomposed by microbes, namely Thermophilic bacteria. Yeast also helps in the preparation of compost.
- The vermicompost is prepared by a natural and biological process in which compost is also prepared by using worms like earthworms, white worms, red wrigglers, etc. Earthworms transform organic wastes into manure, which is rich in nutritional content and used as biofertilizers, organic farming, and other sewage treatment.
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Sample Questions
Question 1: What is green manure? Why is green manure useful in farming? (3 Marks)
Answer: Green manure is prepared by the decomposition of plant waste and residue. It has a lot of nutrients and organic matter in the soil. Green Manure is totally organic and does not contain any harmful chemicals, It contributes to the fertility of the soil by supplementing it with chemical-free nutrients and organic materials. This improves the water capacity of the soil. Organic plant waste material is used in green manure, which benefits our environment by reducing the need for fertilizers. Using plant waste is another approach to recycle plant residue and is cheaper than other chemical supplements.
Question 2: Which one is better in terms of nutrients - compost and vermicompost? (2 Marks)
Answer: The compost, which has less nutrient content in comparison to vermicompost. The vermicompost involves worms like earthworms, white worms, red wrigglers, etc in the process, Hence making the vermicompost rich in minerals and micronutrients.
Question 3: What are the advantages of compost over chemical fertilizers? (3 Marks)
Answer: The advantages of compost over chemical fertilizers are:
- The compost is prepared from farm waste like cow dung, animal refuse, vegetable waste, domestic waste, eradicated weeds, sewage waste, straw, etc. whereas chemical fertilizers involve chemical products in production.
- The compost is not harmful to the soil and plant whereas the chemical fertilizers can harm the soil and plants because of the strong chemical content.
- .The compost can be easily prepared at homes or farms whereas the chemical fertilizers require machines and complex chemical substances.
- The compost is cheap and affordable whereas chemical fertilizers are costly.
Question 4: How is vermicomposting is different from composting? (2 Marks)
Answer: The process of vermicomposting involves worms like earthworms, white worms, red wrigglers, etc. whereas the process of composting is done by microbes, namely Thermophilic bacteria. Yeast also helps in the preparation of compost.
Question 5: Which process requires more maintenance and labor cost - vermicompost or compost? (2 Marks)
Answer: Composting requires more maintenance and labor cost because the process is slow and takes more time in compost preparation whereas the process of vermicomposting is faster than composting because it involves earthworms. Earthworms are used in the process to fasten the degradation, Hence require less maintenance and labor cost.
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