What is Vermicompots Tea?
Vermicompost is a natural organic fertilizer prepared using worms. This fertilizer contains a biologically active mixture of bacteria, enzymes, plant residues, and decomposing animal dung, resulting from the process of digestion and decomposition of the entire organic matter (Technical Guide to Regenerative Agriculture 2023 – UNDP)
Because of the fourth stomach present in the body of the worms, the results are fermented and ready to be added to the plants, and they are easy to absorb
The results are rich in nutrients that directly benefit the plant.
The Importance of Vermicompost
- Enriches soil with beneficial microbes and hormones
- Enhances overall growth and yield of crops
- Releases nutrients slowly to plants
- Protects plants from disease and pests
How can vermicompost be prepared?
Through practical experience, it has been shown that preparing the environment requires organic and recyclable materials, and the environment must be rid of organic materials that are not used
The mattress consists of bags made of burlap
Then egg dishes are added, which is the preferred meal for worms, mixed with water to reduce roughness
In the next stage, the compost product is added, and thus the special environment for the worms is ready for use
Taking into account the percentage of humidity and temperature inside the dwelling
The feeding consists of organic residues (remains of vegetable and fruit peels, vegetable residues) and is cut into small pieces to facilitate the feeding process.
After preparing the environment and placing the worms, the feeding process begins, as the waste is produced, and it is vermicompost
The collection of vermicompost requires a period of time ranging from three months to six months
Features of vermicompost
Strengthening the immunity of plants, because it contains antibiotics and fungi such as ectomyces, which raise the percentage of the vital resistance of the plant against insects and diseases, so the need to spray pesticides is reduced.
It contains growth regulators such as: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid
Soil rid of heavy metals (arsenic-lead-cadmium…)
This is due to the fact that the worm works to encapsulate the particles of these minerals with a type of protein called (metallotheine), and in this way the element becomes inert and is not absorbed by the roots of plants, which protects our food from contamination with these elements (Technical Guide to Regenerative Agriculture 2023 – UNDP)
Second- vermicompost tea:
It is an aqueous extract of solid vermicompost in which microorganisms, soluble nutrients and beneficial substances for plants are converted into liquid form and foliar fertilizer. It can be used in a wide range of horticultural and agricultural systems to support plant growth and manage pests and diseases through a variety of mechanisms so that it can be applied directly. On the leaves, it has been shown to be effective in relatively small quantities, and it plays an important role as a liquid fertilizer in addition to the vital cycle in the prevention and control of pests (Scientific Guide to Breeding Manure Worms – Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform
Benefits of vermi compost
According to the experiments conducted, the use of compost tea on the shoot increases the thickness of the leaf and leads to an increase in its resistance.
In addition, it contains many microorganisms that are useful in eliminating some diseases and biological control
Some researchers also showed that this product is able to get rid of root-knot nematodes, but this matter has not been tested in our region, and we are waiting to try it and verify its results.
However, vermicompost tea was tested narrowly on an insect of roses, in addition to aphids, and it showed amazing results, and in less than 24 hours the insects were dead.
It is very important to expand research on vermicompost tea, as it is a quantum leap in the world of organic pesticides
It could be a revolution in the world of microorganisms that increase plant resistance, soil fertility, and a solution to many pest and disease problems.
