In the present day, it is important to protect the environment from further

deterioration. Developing suitable technology for use in recycling multiple organic wastes
and harnessing the energy, thus minimizing environmental stress and becomes essential
under current conditions (Rajendran, Jayakumar, Kandula, & Gunasekaran, 2008).
[Under present day condition, it becomes very essential to protect the environment
from further degradation. Developing appropriate technologies for use in recycling
various organic waste and to harness energy thus minimizing environmental
stress.] Solid waste management has become one of the greatest issues we face today.
One part of the environmental crisis is the fast rise in waste volume, which accompanies
the latest worldwide growth (Rapid urbanization. Fertile zone encroachment and booming
population lead to huge waste generation) (Aalok, Tripathi, & Soni, 2008). [Management
of solid waste has become one of the biggest problems we are facing today. The
rapid increase in the volume of waste is one aspect of the environmental crisis,
accompanying recent global development (Rapid urbanization. Fertile zone
encroachment of fertile area and booming population is leading to generation of
massive amount of waste).]

In agreement with this, the amount of solid waste has escalated year after year
over the past century due to the rapid urbanization and increasing population growth
century. Some individuals are most likely to be not practicing the issue with garbage
segregation and management, particularly when it comes to the consequences and uses
of biodegradable waste. It also has an impact on our health as said by Wu, Lim, S. L., P.
N., Lim, & Shak (2014). [During the past decade, the amount of solid waste has been
escalating year by year due to the rapid urbanization and increasing population
growth. Due to the abundance of solid wastes for disposal, a sustainable and
ecological approach on reusing the wastes should be proposed and implemented
for pollution abatement by considering economical, health and environmental
factors.] In consonance with Yadav, Gupta, & Garg (2008) that due to the shortage of
dumping sites and rigid environmental legislation, the issue of solid waste disposal has
further risen in towns, so researchers are looking for economically and ecologically
sustainable management alternatives.

Protecting the environment from further degradation, developing suitable

techniques for use in recycling multiple organic waste and harnessing energy, thus
minimizing environmental stress, becomes very important under current conditions.
(Rajendran, Jayakumar, Kandula, & Gunasekaran, 2008). [Under present day
condition, it becomes very essential to protect the environment from further
degradation, develop appropriate technologies for use in recycling various organic
waste and to harness energy thus minimizing environmental stress.]
As the public slowly acknowledges the significance of adequate solid waste
management, the worldwide scientific society is working with external assistance to
further enhance solid waste management, particularly in developing nations Sustainable
waste management processes are essential for the preservation of the environment, so
it is necessary to reuse waste products in other sectors to produce a required product
(Wu, Lim, S. L., P. N., Lim, & Shak, 2014). [As the public slowly recognizes the
importance of proper solid waste management, the global scientific society with
the collaboration of external support is striving to further improve solid waste
management, especially in developing countries. ]

Upon its usage and benefits; the application of vermicompost generated by

biodegradable waste could be one of the most cost-effective and appealing ways to solve
issues such as waste disposal and the need to improve the soil's organic content. In the
present study of soil analysis was carried out to determine the availability of nutrients in
the soil and to calculate the corresponding quantity of soil nutrients needed for organic or
chemical fertilizers (Narkhede, Attarde, & Ingle, 2011). Upon its usage and benefits as
stated by Dutt, Ram Krishna, & Reddy (1998) that to increase product variety, rotating
crops, to use biological pest control and to maintain soil fertility through natural and
harmonious techniques such as composting and mulching. Organic agriculture is
sustainable agriculture, it provides nutrients, enzymes, and flavor in food, organic farming
is essentially sustainable. [growing a diversity of products, rotating crops, using
biological pest control, and maintaining the soil fertility through natural and
harmonious methods such as composting and mulching. In a nutshell, organic
agriculture is "sustainable" agriculture, and it provides food that is alive with
nutrients, enzymes, and flavour.] Hence, this literature review analyzes its
effectiveness and usability of vermiculture when it comes to planting plants and to test
the effectiveness on the development and growth of the plant.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness according to Muñoz & Garcia (2012) that the increasing impacts
on the environment due to agricultural practices in the world have gradually affected the
quality of the soil in terms of structure and biological equilibrium, which has required the
development of alternative practices to minimize and mitigate those impacts, parallel to
the improvement on the yield per cultivated area and economic benefits for producers
and farmers. In addition, the amount of food that society of today require for processing
and supply of the industry has encouraged the creation of new options for agricultural
practices, tend to be: [The adequacy as indicated by Muñoz and Garcia (2012) that
the expanding impacts on the earth because of agrarian practices on the planet
have bit by bit influenced the nature of the dirt as far as structure and organic
balance, which has required the advancement of elective practices to limit and
moderate those effects, parallel to the enhancement for the yield per developed
territory and efficient advantages for makers and ranchers. Likewise, the measure
of sustenance that society of today require for handling and supply of the business
has supported the making of new alternatives for agrarian practices, will in general
be:]

i) less invasive to the environment,

ii) cheaper than conventional techniques,
iii) able to increase efficiency at low costs,
iv) able to obtain better characteristics on harvests and,
v) ease of use and implementation with no excessive technical requirements
 In consonance with Kumar Chanda, Bhunia, & Kumar Chakraborty (2011),
vermicompost has been noted to be helpful in increasing crops of nursery species as an
outstanding soil modification for primary areas and nursery beds. In nature, crops follow
changed growth patterns such as negative root geotropism, stem elongation and
dwarfing, vegetative stage shortening, leaf area improvement, photosynthetic rate,
flowering, and fruiting through maturation [In consonance with Chanda, Bhunia, and
Chakraborty (2011), vermicompost has been noted to be useful in expanding
harvests of nursery species as a remarkable soil change for essential regions and
nursery beds. In nature, crops pursue changed development examples, for
example, negative root geotropism, stem prolongation and overshadowing,
vegetative stage shortening, leaf zone improvement, photosynthetic rate,
blooming, and fruiting through development]

There has been a significant decline in the nutritive values of food produced by
agrochemicals in the wake of the ‘green revolution’. Davis et., al. (2004) compared the
nutritive contents of 43 garden crops between 1950 (beginning of chemical farming) and
1999 and found that there were reliable decline in 6 nutrients viz. proteins, calcium,
potassium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin C ranging from 6 % in proteins to 38 % in riboflavin.
Significantly lower ‘carotene’ was found in all vegetable crops produced by chemical
fertilizers as compared to the organically grown crops (Shankar and Sumathi, 2008).
[There has been a huge decrease in the nutritive estimations of sustenance
delivered by agrochemicals in the wake of the 'green unrest'. Davis et., al. (2004)
analyzed the nutritive substance of 43 nursery yields between 1950 (start of
concoction cultivating) and 1999 and found that there were dependable decrease
in 6 supplements viz. proteins, calcium, potassium, iron, riboflavin and nutrient C
going from 6 % in proteins to 38 % in riboflavin. Fundamentally lower 'carotene'
was found in every single vegetable yield created by concoction composts when
contrasted with the naturally developed harvests (Shankar and Sumathi, 2008).]

Chemical agriculture is proving destructive in every way – agronomically, socially,

economically and environmentally. Organic farming by vermiculture will be supportive in
every way. Vermicompost works as a ‘slow-release fertilizer’ whereas chemical fertilizers
release their nutrients rather quickly in soil and soon get depleted. A significant amount
of chemical nitrogen is lost from soil due to oxidation in sunlight.[Compound farming is
demonstrating ruinous inside and out – agronomically, socially, financially and
ecologically. Natural cultivating by vermiculture will be strong inside and out.
Vermicompost fills in as a 'moderate discharge manure' while compound composts
discharge their supplements rather rapidly in soil and before long get exhausted.
A lot of substance nitrogen is lost from soil because of oxidation in daylight.]

Waste Management

Waste management is a major problem in our community, environment, and

health, we have solutions to fend off that problem by making useful of our waste and one
is by using vermiculture. Consistent with Wu, Lim, S. L., P. N., Lim, & Shak (2014),
biological process has been widely recognized in converting solid organic materials into
environmentally friendly and value added products. Both composting and
vermicomposting are regarded as a suitable way to manage organic waste because it not
only helps solve the problem of waste disposal but also produces useful bio-amendment
agent (organic fertilizer). To add up the statement from Lima et al., (2009, from Torri &
Puelles, 2010) that The use of municipal wastes, sewage sludge, compost and farmyard
manures as fertilisers on agricultural soils has been encouraged in many parts of the
world as a sustainable alternative to stockpiling and incineration. [Waste management
is a noteworthy issue in our locale, condition, and wellbeing, we have answers for
battle off that issue by making valuable of our waste and one is by utilizing
vermiculture. Reliable with Wu, Lim, S. L., P. N., Lim, and Shak (2014), natural
procedure has been generally perceived in changing over strong natural materials
into ecologically cordial and worth included items. Both treating the soil and
vermicomposting are viewed as an appropriate method to oversee natural waste
since it not just takes care of the issue of waste transfer yet additionally creates
helpful bio-alteration operator (natural manure). To include the announcement from
Lima et al., (2009, from Torri and Puelles, 2010) that The utilization of city
squanders, sewage slop, fertilizer and yard composts as manures on farming soils
has been energized in numerous pieces of the world as a supportable option in
contrast to accumulating and burning.]

Vermicomposting is a method of bio-conversion that is commonly used for the

management of solid waste. Earthworms feed on organic waste in this method of bio-
conversion to generate more earthworms, vermicompost, and vermiwash as products.
Vermicomposting was performed over vermicomposting periods varying from 28-120
days using these earthworms for multiple wastes including animal, plant, pharmaceutical,
food waste, and sewage waste (Sinha, Hahn, Singh, Suhane, & Anthonyreddy, 2011).
[Vermicomposting is a technique for bio-change that is normally utilized for the
administration of strong waste. Night crawlers feed on natural waste in this
technique for bio-change to create more worms, vermicompost, and vermiwash as
items. Vermicomposting was performed over vermicomposting periods changing
from 28-120 days utilizing these worms for different squanders including creature,
plant, pharmaceutical, nourishment waste, and sewage squander.]

All compost (including vermicompost), are produced from some ‘waste materials’
of society. Composting of wastes organics by waste eater earthworms (vermicomposting)
is proving to be economically and environmentally preferred technology over the
conventional microbial composting technology as it is a rapid and nearly odorless
process, reducing composting time by more than half and the end product is both
‘disinfected’, and ‘detoxified’. Given the optimum conditions of temperature (20-30 °C)
and moisture (60-70 %), about 5 kg of worms (numbering approx.10, 000) can
vermiprocess 1 ton of organic wastes into vermicompost in just 30 days and the process
becomes faster with time. It has potential to divert a huge amount of wastes ending up in
landfills which are proving as an ‘environmental burden’ for society as they emit a large
amount of powerful greenhouse gases like methane (22 times powerful than CO2) and
nitrous oxides (312 times powerful than CO2) along with CO2. Every 1 kg of waste
diverted from landfills prevents 1 kg of greenhouse gas emission equivalent to CO2. In
2005, landfill disposal of MSW contributed 17 million tons CO2-e (equivalent) of GHG in
Australia, equivalent to the emissions from 4 million cars or 2.6 % of the national GHG
emissions (Ghosh, 2015). [All manure (counting vermicompost), are created from
some 'squander materials' of society. Treating the soil of squanders organics by
waste eater worms (vermicomposting) is demonstrating to be financially and earth
favored innovation over the ordinary microbial fertilizing the soil innovation as it is
a fast and almost scentless procedure, decreasing treating the soil time by the
greater part and the final result is both 'sanitized', and 'detoxified'. Given the ideal
states of temperature (20-30 °C) and dampness (60-70 %), around 5 kg of worms
(numbering approx.10, 000) can vermiprocess 1 ton of natural squanders into
vermicompost in only 30 days and the procedure turns out to be quicker with time.
It can possibly redirect a colossal measure of squanders winding up in landfills
which are demonstrating as a 'natural weight' for society as they radiate a lot of
incredible ozone harming substances like methane (multiple times amazing than
CO2) and nitrous oxides (multiple times ground-breaking than CO2) alongside
CO2. Each 1 kg of waste occupied from landfills counteracts 1 kg of ozone
depleting substance discharge proportional to CO2. In 2005, landfill transfer of
MSW contributed 17 million tons CO2-e (comparable) of GHG in Australia,
proportional to the outflows from 4 million vehicles or 2.6 % of the national GHG
emanations (Australian Greenhouse Office, 2007).]

Organic

Having an organic production makes an organic output, as to what Sinha et al.,

(2011)said that a matter of considerable economic significance is that in organic farming
by use of vermicompost the ‘cost of food production’ will be significantly lower by at least
50-60 % as compared to costly chemical fertilizers and the food produced will be a ‘safe
chemical-free organic food’ for the society. It is a ‘win-win’ situation for both producers
(farmers) and consumers (feeders). [Having an organic production makes a natural
yield, with respect to what Sinha, Hahn, Singh, Suhane, and Reddy (2011) said that
a matter of impressive monetary centrality is that in natural cultivating by utilization
of vermicompost the 'cost of sustenance creation' will be altogether low by at any
rate 50-60 % when contrasted with exorbitant synthetic manures and the
nourishment delivered will be a 'sheltered compound free natural sustenance' for
the general public. It is a 'win-win' circumstance for the two makers (ranchers) and
buyers (feeders).]

A soil is regarded as sodic where exchangeable sodium (Na) is higher than 6 %

and the pH is greater than 8.5. Compost plays an important role in managing ‘sodic’ and
‘saline’ soils. Sodicity is generally fought with the application of ‘gypsum’ which increases
the amount of ‘exchangeable calcium’ in the soil. But it is a slow process. Compost can
help in the spread of gypsum much faster in the soil by stimulating microbes and soil
fauna (earthworms) that create ‘channels and pores’ in the soil and gypsum moves
through them much faster with rainfall and irrigation. Earthworms help more through their
burrowing actions and excretion of vermicast which proliferate useful microbes in billions
and trillions. Worms ingest soil and gypsum, mixing them together, resulting in a fast and
thorough spread of gypsum deep into the soil profile. In addition, vermicomposting has a
positive effect on the soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, increasing plant
cover and decreasing the soil losses (Kapoor, Sharma, & K, 2015). [A soil is viewed as
sodic where interchangeable sodium (Na) is higher than 6 % and the pH is more
noteworthy than 8.5. Manure assumes a significant job in overseeing 'sodic' and
'saline' soils. Sodicity is by and large battled with the utilization of 'gypsum' which
expands the measure of 'interchangeable calcium' in the dirt. Yet, it is a moderate
procedure. Fertilizer can help in the spread of gypsum a lot quicker in the dirt by
invigorating microorganisms and soil fauna (night crawlers) that make 'directs and
pores' in the dirt and gypsum travels through them a lot quicker with precipitation
and water system. Worms help increasingly through their tunneling activities and
discharge of vermicast which multiply valuable organisms in trillions. Worms
ingest soil and gypsum, combining them, bringing about a quick and careful
spread of gypsum profound into the dirt profile. What's more, vermicomposting
positively affects the dirt physical, concoction, and organic properties, expanding
plant spread and diminishing the dirt misfortunes (Kapoor, Sharman, and Rana,
2015).]

Health Benefits

The biggest value of organic farming is that it produces almost ‘chemical free and
protective food’ for society. Organically grown fruits and vegetables have been found to
be highly nutritious and have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their
chemically grown counterparts (Anonymous, 2000; Bourne and Prescott, 2006).
Antioxidant vitamins in vegetables are some of the nutrients besides vitamins, minerals,
flavonoids, and phytochemicals, which contribute greatly to human health protection. In
a ten-year comparative study, Mitchell (2007) reported levels of flavonoids ‘quercetin’ and
‘kaempferol’ in organic tomatoes (115.5 and 63.3 mg per gram of dry matter) was 79 %
and 97 % higher than those in chemically grown tomatoes ( 64.6 and 32.06 mg per gram
of dry matter) respectively. The levels of flavonoids increased over time in samples of
tomatoes treated organically. Studies indicate that organic foods are high in ‘organic
acids’ and ’poly-phenolic compounds’ many of which have potential health benefits like
antioxidants (Winter and Davis, 2006). [The greatest estimation of organic farming is
that it delivers nearly 'compound free and defensive nourishment' for society.
Naturally developed products of the soil have been observed to be very nutritious
and have increasingly useful supplements, for example, cell reinforcements, than
their artificially developed partners (Anonymous, 2000; Bourne and Prescott, 2006).
Cell reinforcement nutrients in vegetables are a portion of the supplements other
than nutrients, minerals, flavonoids, and phytochemicals, which contribute
significantly to human wellbeing insurance. In a ten-year near examination, Mitchell
(2007) announced degrees of flavonoids 'quercetin' and 'kaempferol' in natural
tomatoes (115.5 and 63.3 mg per gram of dry issue) was 79 % and 97 % higher than
those in synthetically developed tomatoes ( 64.6 and 32.06 mg per gram of dry
issue) separately. The degrees of flavonoids expanded after some time in tests of
tomatoes treated naturally. Studies show that natural sustenances are high in
'natural acids' and 'poly-phenolic mixes' huge numbers of which have potential
medical advantages like cancer prevention agents (Winter and Davis, 2006).]

Environmental Benefits

Vermicompost production is also an ‘economically productive’ process as it ‘reduce

wastes’ and consequently saves landfill space. Vermicomposting is a self-promoted, self-
regulated, self-improved and self-enhanced, low or no-energy requiring zero-waste
technology, easy to construct, operate and maintain. It excels all other waste conversion
technologies by the fact that it can utilize waste organics that otherwise cannot be utilized
by others. Provision of a sustainable environment in the soil by amending with good
quality organic soil enhances the water holding capacity and nutrient supplying capacity
of soil with the increase of resistance in plants against pests and diseases (Hussaini,
2013). In line with Muñoz & Garcia (2012) Biological fertilization techniques are pertinent
strategies for an efficient and rational use of agricultural resources with minimal
generation of diverse environmental impacts that may affect water resources, ecosystems
or the quality of human life. [Vermicompost creation is likewise a monetarily
profitable process as it diminishes waste' and thusly spares landfills space.
Vermicomposting is a self-advanced, self-controlled, self-improved and self-
upgraded, low or no-vitality requiring zero-squander innovation, simple to develop,
work and keep up. It exceeds expectations all other waste transformation advances
by the way that it can use squander organics that generally can't be used by others.
Arrangement of a maintainable situation in the dirt by revising with great quality
natural soil improves the water holding limit and supplement providing limit of soil
with the expansion of obstruction in plants against irritations and maladies
(Hussaini, 2012). In accordance with Muñoz and Garcia (2012) Biological
preparation methods are appropriate methodologies for a proficient and
reasonable utilization of agrarian assets with negligible age of various natural
effects that may influence water assets, environments or the nature of human life.]

All composts are rich in beneficial soil microbes. Vermicompost is especially rich
in microbial diversity. Earthworms further proliferate useful microbes in billions and
trillions in soil. Earthworms can modify soil microbial community structure depending on
the type of organic matter present in soil (Jack, 2010). Soil organic matter (SOM) is also
the food source of beneficial soil microbes and helps in improving the microbial population
and diversity. Microbes are responsible for transforming, releasing and cycling of nutrients
and essential elements. Microbes are also essential for converting nutrients into their
‘plant available forms’ and also for ‘facilitating nutrients uptake’ by plants. Soil microbes
also create the ‘glue’ that sticks soil particles together, creating soil crumbs and pore
spaces that make good soil structure decreasing ‘soil hardness’. [All manures are
wealthy in useful soil microorganisms. Vermicompost is particularly wealthy in
microbial assorted variety. Night crawlers further multiply helpful microorganisms
in trillions in soil. Worms can alter soil microbial network structure contingent
upon the sort of natural issue present in soil (Jack, 2010). Soil natural issue (SOM)
is additionally the sustenance wellspring of advantageous soil microorganisms
and aides in improving the microbial populace and decent variety. Microorganisms
are in charge of changing, discharging and cycling of supplements and
fundamental components. Organisms are additionally basic for changing over
supplements into their 'plant accessible structures' and furthermore for
'encouraging supplements take-up' by plants. Soil organisms additionally make the
'stick' that sticks soil particles together, making soil pieces and pore spaces that
make great soil structure diminishing 'soil hardness'.]

Organic farming by the use of composts has several virtues and values. Use of
vermicompost still has greater significance as it is 5-7 times more powerful than all the
conventionally produced composts. Moreover, its use in farm soil eventually leads to the
generation of a huge population of ‘earthworms’ from their cocoons in the vermicompost.
Earthworms are great soil and environmental managers and add further to agronomic,
social, economic and environmental values of organic farming (Sinha et al., 2010).
[organic farming by the utilization of manures has a few excellencies and qualities.
Utilization of vermicompost still has more noteworthy criticalness as it is 5-7 times
more dominant than all the ordinarily delivered manures. Besides, its utilization in
homestead soil in the end prompts the age of an immense populace of 'night
crawlers' from their casings in the vermicompost. Worms are incredible soil and
ecological chiefs and add further to agronomic, social, financial and natural
estimations of natural cultivating (Sinha et al., 2011).]

In conclusion, the total benefit and necessity of vermicomposting in , is decided

upon the urgent necessity of having sustainable environmental development of having to
reduce waste, improve yield and quality of plant products, and a renewable source of a
safe and organic fertilizer that is also renewable. [Taking everything into account, the
absolute advantage and need of vermicomposting in , is settled on the earnest need
of having practical natural advancement of lessening waste, improve yield and
nature of plant items, and an inexhaustible wellspring of a protected and natural
manure that is likewise sustainable.]