PYRAMID VERMICAST

The Pyramid Farms

F-33, Azad Marg
Jwala Bhawan, C- Scheme
JAIPUR � 302 001,� Rajasthan (INDIA) �

E-mail: [email protected]�����

������ Phone: +91-141-381320

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VERMICAST � An Introduction:

Vermicast is a 100% organic fertilizer that is made up of worm castings (also known as worm humus, vermicompost) and� decomposed organic matter. Worm castings are the richest natural fertilizer known to humans. That's right: as little as a tablespoon of pure worm castings provides enough organic plant nutrients to feed a 25-cm pot plant for more than two months. Vermicast stimulates plant growth more than any other natural product on the market. Unlike animal dung and artificial fertilizers it is absorbed easily and immediately by plants. But Vermicast not only stimulates plant growth: it also enhances the ability of your soil to retain water (because of its texture), and it even inhibits root diseases such as root rot.

THE PRODUCT:

Vermicast contains a highly active biological mixture of bacteria, enzymes, remnants of plant matter and animal dung, as well as earthworm cocoons (damp). The castings are rich in water-soluble plant nutrients, and contain more than 50% more humus than what is normally found in topsoil. Vermicast is packed with minerals that are essential for plant growth, such as concentrated nitrates, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium. It also contains manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, borax, iron, carbon and nitrogen. However, the best of all is that these minerals are immediately available to the plant, without the risk of ever burning the plant. Remember that animal dung and artificial fertilizer have to be broken down in the soil before the plant can absorb it.

As the organic matter move through the alimentary canal of the earthworm, a thin layer of oil is deposited on the castings. This layer erodes over a period of 2 months. So although the plant nutrients are immediately available, they are slowly released to last longer. The cocoons in Vermicast each contain between 2 and 10 eggs that hatch within 2 weeks. This means that the process of decomposition are continued by the young earthworms in the soil, provided that the soil is loose, damp and rich enough in organic matter for the worms to stay alive.

The process & the bacteria in the alimentary canal of the earthworm transform organic wastes to
natural fertilizers. The chemical changes that the organic wastes undergo include deodorizing and neutralizing.
This means that the pH of the castings is 7 (neutral) and the castings are odorless (they smell like a
forest after rain). The worm castings also contain the bacteria, so the process is continued in the soil,
and microbiological activity is promoted. An important component of this dark mass is humus. Humus
increases the aggregation of soil particles, which in turn, enhances permeability of the soil to water
and air. It also buffers the soil, reducing the detrimental effects of excessively acid or alkaline soils.
Humus has also been shown to stimulate plant growth and to exert a beneficial control on plant
pathogens, harmful fungi, nematodes, and harmful bacteria.

USES OF VERMICAST:

Vermicast can be used as an ingredient of potting soil (as plant nutrients) for plants in and around the house. It can also be used as planting soil for trees, vegetables, shrubs and flowers. When used as mulching material, Vermicast will ensure that the minerals are absorbed directly into the soil when it is watered. Because Vermicast will never burn plants, you can use as much of it as you like.

THE BENEFITS OF USING VERMICAST:

Vermicompost is known as� "farmer's gold". Just look at the benefits that Vermicast has for your plants.

��� The humus in the worm castings extracts toxins and harmful fungi and bacteria from the soil. Vermicast therefore has the ability to fight off plant diseases.

� Very rich in macro and micro flora, introduces biological activities in the soil to make it a living medium and improves soil health.

��� The worm castings have the ability to fix heavy metals in organic waste. This prevents plants from absorbing more of these chemical compounds than they need. These compounds can then be released later when the plants need them.

�� Provides plant nutrients in desired quantities and soluble forms.

� Vermicast act as a barrier to help plants grow in soil where the pH levels are too high or too low. The castings prevent extreme pH levels from making it impossible for plants to absorb nutrients from the soil.

� Improves texture, structure and chemical composition of the soils.

� The humic acid in Vermicast stimulates plant growth, even in very low concentrations. The humic acid is in an ionically distributed state in which it can easily be absorbed by the plant, over and above any normal mineral nutrients. Humic acid also stimulates the development of microflora populations in the soil.

� Easy to apply; available in particle form (granular form) and can be applied at any stage of the crop i.e. field preparation to few weeks before harvesting.

� Vermicast increases the ability of soil to retain water. The worm castings form aggregates, which are mineral clusters that combine in such a way that they can withstand water erosion and compaction, and also increase water retention.

��Very high moisture retention capacity, reduces water requirements up to 40 % under irrigated conditions and ensures sufficient output even under 20 � 40 % short rainfall under rain fed condition.

� Improves quality of farm produce (colour, texture, taste, size, etc), increases shelf life and nutrient content to provide a nourishing diet free of deadly chemicals.

� Most economical input that increases production, reduces cost of cultivation and offer scope for value addition in the form of organic agriculture.

� Vermicast reduces the acid-forming carbon in the soil, and increases the nitrogen levels in a state that the plant can easily use. Organic plant wastes usually have a carbon-nitrogen ratio of more than 20 to 1. Because of this ratio, the nitrogen is unavailable to plants, and the soil around the organic waste becomes acidic.

� Made from eco-friendly technology using organic waste and biotechnology.

By eating the plant wastes, worms reduce the carbon-nitrogen ratio in the soil. Unlike animal dung, worm castings are completely and immediately available to the plant. The alimentary canal of the earthworm separates the nitrogen and the carbon, and secretes the nitrogen in the castings as urea. The carbon is secreted as carbon dioxide as the worm breathes, and a usable portion remains in the worm castings. The earthworms in agricultural soil produce about 23 kg of nitrogen per acre, which is just as much as the amount of nitrogen that planted hay takes from the soil!

Recorded recommendations and quotes about Vermicast

One of the first people who wrote about the benefits of worm castings was the Australian Dr Thomas Barrett. He recorded the following after experimenting with worm castings on his farm: carrots of 3 kg each, turnips of 3,5 kg each, a potato crop of 75 tons per hectare, and an onion crop of 53 tons per hectare. Here are some more quotes and recommendations from across the world.

�"Vermicompost outperforms any commercial fertiliser I know of. The key factor is microbial activity. Research that I and others have done shows that microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil and the organic matter that the worm ingests..." Dr Clive Edmunds, in Worldwide Progress in Vermicomposting by Gene Logsdon in Biocycle, October 1994.

�"The product has excellent soil structure, porosity, aeration and water retention capabilities. [It] can insulate plant roots from extreme temperatures, reduce erosion and control weeds..." Canyon Recycling, San Diego.

�"The activity of the earthworm gut is like a miniature composting tub that mixes, conditions, and inoculates the residues . . . [into] a terrific end product!" Dr Bill Becker, The Benefits of Earthworms, in Natural Foods and Farming, July/August 1991.

�"Earthworm castings are the best imaginable potting soil for greenhouses or� house plants, as well as gardening and farming. It will not burn even the most delicate plants and all nutrients are water-soluble, making it an immediate plant food. The effect of earthworm castings used in any of these ways is immediately visible. They make plants grow fast and strong." R.E. Gaddie and D.E. Douglas in Scientific Earthworm Farming Vol.1, 1975.

�"Castings contain 5 times the available nitrogen, 7 times the available potash and 1 � times more calcium than that found in 15 cm topsoil. Therefore, castings are supplied with available nutrients. The nutrients are also water-soluble and immediately available to the plant. You will find that most potting soils have a nutrient life for 2 to 5 days, where worm castings will last up to 6 times as long. You will need 5 times as much potting soil to do the same job as worm castings. So in the long run, worm castings are much cheaper and do a much better job. Also, castings hold 2 to 3 times their weight in water. That means you water less and the pot will stay damper for a longer period. Worm castings will not burn your plants; unlike using any fresh raw manure (cow, horse, etc.) which can burn root systems if not applied properly. . . . The manure passes through the worms' digestive system producing rich organic plant food and a slow releasing fertiliser which allows for better growth." Kids for Landcare: Wormwatch, Education Department of South Australia, 1992.

HOW TO USE VERMICAST:

For Germination:

Use 20 to 30% Vermicast with sand, as an excellent germination mixture. It will also ensure continuous and lush growth for about three months, without you having to add any other plant food.

As a Soil Conditioner:

If you have a layer of barren soil, add a layer of Vermicast and give it some water, you will be surprised at the growth of your first season's plants. Farmers will get excellent results with pasture grasses if they use 100 kg per acre or 250 kg per hectare Vermicast.

As a Fertiliser:

Sprinkle Vermicast around the base of plants or lightly dig it in, and then add water. Vermicast can also be sprinkled on a large scale with a super phosphate spreader.

As a Liquid Fertiliser:

Vermicast can easily be mixed with water. Use 1 kg Vermicast for every 5 litres of water. This liquid mixture can be used as an excellent fertiliser or leaf foliate spray. It also helps to control insects. Many people prefer this method of application.

As a Deodoriser:

Because Vermicast contains aerobic bacteria, a thin layer placed over a compost heap or animal dung will neutralise the smell almost immediately. The bacteria will break down the organic matter.

We have known for hundreds of years that earthworms are the best way to improve plant growth and to increase plant yield, such as fruit. Earthworm castings are a wonder product of nature. Vermicompost is recommended around the world as a much better product than the best artificial fertiliser on the market.

So if you care about your soil, your plants, and also the income you make from them, then now is the time to get rid of all those chemicals and to use this 100% natural product.

Let your motto be: feed the soil, and the rest will follow . . . naturally

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CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: (Typical specification)

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BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES:

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�� Total bactor count�������������������������������������������� : more than 1010

� Actinomycetes, Tricoderma, Rhyzobium, phospo and nitro bacteria: Approx 102 to 106��

� Gibberellins (GA3), Auxins (IAA) and Cytokinis (IPA) : in sufficient quantities.

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������ DOSAGE:

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� Field crops � Wheat, Barley, Maize, Gram, Mustard etc � 2 to 3 Metric tones per Hectare.

� Vegetables � 3 to 5 Metric tones per Hectare.

� Fruit plants � 5 to 10 Kilograms per plant.

� Flowerpot, domestic lawns � 100 to 200 grams per square feet.

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Note:

���The above dosages are general recommendations, however for specific��applications soil testing is required.

� In rain fed crops where no chemical fertilizer has been used earlier, even small quantities of vermicast have been found to give good results.

� Incase of high to very high chemical fertilizer usage condition, it is recommended to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer by one-third in each application and substitute vermicast

PACKAGING:

PRICE: FOB Kandla Port (India)

�Contact Digvijay Singh on [email protected] to place your order today.

You can also contact Pyramid Vermicast by email at [email protected] for more information about this product.

Contact us: [email protected]

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