Difference Between Compost And Vermicompost

A significant portion of the GDP of many countries that depend on farming, including India, comes from agriculture. Manure is also a major component in agriculture. The essential component in farming high yields is manure. Compost is the substance that enriches the soil with essential nutrients; it comes in various forms such as farmyard manure, compost, green manure, etc. Vermicompost is the finished product of organic matter degradation, whereas compost is the byproduct produced during the process of biodegradation. Another kind of compost that is created with earthworms is called vermicompost. 

The most significant difference between vermicompost and compost is that the latter is a humus-like material made from organic waste using worms and microorganisms, while the former is a crumbly mass of rotten organic matter produced from decomposed plant food and other wastes by the action of microorganisms. Before going further to know the differences between the both, lets see what exactly these two materials are.

What is compost?

Compost is produced by means of composting. Compost is formed when organic waste breaks down organically in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Temperature, oxygen, and moisture are among the environmental elements that influence composting processes. Compost is applied as fertilizer for plants in agriculture to improve soil biological, chemical, and physical qualities. Compost is made from decayed waste from meals, plants, organic matter, and manure. 

Compost is essential in organic farming, as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not permitted. Compost has several benefits in farming, including improving soil structure, providing a range of plant nutrients, increasing the amount of helpful microbes in the soil, and, in many cases, increasing crop productivity after a number of years of application.

What is Vermicompost?

Vermicompost is a type of compost that makes use of earthworms. Vermicomposting is the process of decomposing organic waste with the aid of earthworms. Vermicomposting is the method of producing vermicompost, whereas vermiculture is the activity of cultivating worms for these reasons. The process of vermicomposting starts with the incorporation of earthworms into soil. These worms feed on biomass and subsequently expel the digested material as vermicompost, which is similar to humus.

Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei are the two leading earthworm species used for vermicomposting. Vermicompost improves the physical structure of the soil, promotes seed germination, plant growth, and crop yield, and increases soil fertility and water resistance. Vermicompost is utilized in organic, sustainable agriculture, and gardening.

What are the types of composting?

Onsite composting

Yard clippings are used for onsite composting, and leftover food can be composted onsite or in a garden. Using this method for composting should be avoided for large volumes of food scraps or animal products. You may utilize the generated organic fertilizer to raise the quality of your soil.

Windrow composting

In windrow composting, organic waste is arranged into long rows, or “windrows,” and then rotated either manually or mechanically to provide air. This procedure works well with massive volumes, such as those produced by large-scale food processing businesses. For instance, grease, liquids, yard waste, and animal leftovers.

Key differences

Point 1

• Waste materials of various kinds are used to make compost.
• Vermicompost is exclusively produced from organic waste materials.      

Point 2

• Waste undergoes biodegradation to produce compost. Microbes are responsible for composting.
• Waste is broken down to create vermicompost. The deterioration is accelerated by the employment of earthworms in the procedure.

Point 3

• Thermophilic bacteria are responsible for composting.
• Mesophilic bacteria are responsible for vermicomposting.

Point 4

• Composting calls for a bigger area or space.
• Vermicomposting takes up far less room than other processes.

Point 5

• It takes more time to produce compost.
• Vermicompost production takes considerably less time.

Point 6

• Compost production involves additional work and maintenance.
• Vermicompost making involves considerably less effort and maintenance.  

Point 7

• There are plenty of minerals and micronutrients in compost.
• Numerous minerals, hormones, and micronutrients can be found in vermicompost.

Point 8

• There are no plant growth regulators in compost.
• There are plant growth regulators in vermicompost.

Point 9

• You may do conventional composting outside if you live in a rural or peaceful area.

• Vermicomposting can be carried either inside or outdoors. Worm composting is a possibility if you live in an apartment or on a floor. Gardeners prefer indoor composting over outdoor composting.

Frequently asked questions?

Vermicomposting vs. composting: which is better? Why?

Since composting is a steady and dependable process, it is the ideal option for handling enormous volumes of organic waste. Vermicomposting requires a large amount of space.

Which earthworms are often used for vermicomposting?  

Redworms and red wigglers are excellent vermicomposters. These two species are excellent compost producers.

What happens if the compost is left for too long?

Compost stored in a pile, bag, or container for a long time might still be useful for years if you keep it moist, cover it, and store it somewhere dry.

What two things vermicompost and compost have in common?

Neither pollutes the environment in any way. They are both manures.

What Advantages Do Vermicompost Offer?

Vermicompost improves soil quality, boosts nutrient availability, improves soil characteristics, and doesn’t pollute the environment. It also improves crop quality.

Cost of Vermicompost vs. Compost?

Composting is an affordable choice! Just arrange your greens and browns on a surface suitable for composting. There’s not much to it. It is budget-friendly. 

Vermicomposting is affordable, but you have to buy worms and a bin until you want to make your own. While this does not have to be costly, it is vital to protect your worms from the weather, which requires the hassle of securing space as well as the probable cost of regulating the temperature of your vermicomposting facility.

Takeaway

Vermicomposting involves a physical procedure that takes place at moderate temperatures and involves techniques determined by the worms’ digging and feeding abilities, as well as their capacity to adapt to environmental conditions. It is ideal for digesting smaller quantities of waste more quickly.

On the other hand, composting is a chemical process that occurs at high temperatures and is not limited by depth. While hot composting is a considerably slower process, it is more appropriate for large-scale waste processing.

The compost contains an enormous number of organic components and nutrients. It is composed of agricultural waste such as cow dung, waste from animals, vegetable trash, household rubbish, weeds that have been removed, sewage waste, straw, and the list goes on. Vermicomposting involves the utilization of organic waste. Compost is created in a natural and ecological manner by worms including earthworms, white worms, red wigglers, and others.