Composting : Compost is a natural fertiliser. It contains nutrients required for the growth of plants. So, compost is used as a manure for growing plants. The process of converting biodegradable materials into compost by the action of microorganisms is called composting. Biodegradable or organic waste like fruits and vegetables peels, waste food leaves ,dead flower and egg shells can be recycled they are converted into manure by burying them in compost pits. We can also use cow dung in composting.

The decomposers (microorganisms) present in our surroundings decompose the organic waste and after a period of time it is converted into compost.

Vermicomposting : The composting process can be fastened with the help of earthworms. The type of earthworms used for composting are called redworms. Redworms are introduced in the waste dumped in a large pit within the soil. These red worms eat the soil along with the waste materials and convert them into compost. The method of preparing compost with the help of red- worms is called Vermicomposting. Red worms or Earthworm have no teeth. The home for red worms is made with net or chicken mesh at the bottom of pit. For red worms the food should be kept at the depth of about eight and twelve inches which means about 30 cm deep of the pit. An Earthworm can eat food equal to its weight. If mass of a red worm is assumed as 'X' gram then we can say that it can eat X gm of food. They have a structure called 'gizzard' which helps them in grinding their food

Method of Vermicomposting :

A vermicomposting pit is made with a wooden box or big cement rings.

A mesh is spread at the bottom of the pit.

Vegetable waste, fruit waste, etc is spread over the mesh.

Water is sprinkled to create moisture. so, the red worm can live.

It take 2 to 4 weeks to completely convert waste into manure.

Difference between Composting and Vermicomposting

Composting	Vermicomposting
Decomposers are microorganism	Decomposers are microorganisms as well as red worms.
Consume more time as compared to Vermicomposting.	Consume less time as compared to Composting.

Advantages :

It helps improve soil structure.

Water holding capacity of soil also increases.

Disadvantages :

Noticeable odour.

Need maintenance.

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Sample Questions

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Question : 1

Which one is the better to use for crops in agriculture?
A. Compost	B. Fertilisers	C. Chemicals	D. Poisonous substances
Right Option : C
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Question : 2

Riya is writing some statements, choose the incorrect statement and help her ______________________
A. Vermicomposting is not different from traditional composting
B. Red worms eat the rotting or decaying garbage of the pit as food
C. For eating food, banana leaf is a better choice than plastic plate
D. None of the above
Right Option : A
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Question : 3

What kind of metarials are to collected green coloured bins ?
A. Kitchen waste	B. Plant waste	C. Animal waste	D. Those materials that rot completely when burried in soil
Right Option : D
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