Earthworms are used for a variety of things, from an amazing soil amendment/compost, to bait for fishing and even bird food. Organic black worm castings added around a plant can make it healthy and very productive. Farmers use this to grow world record giant pumpkins!
“Compared to ordinary soil, the earthworm castings (the material produced from the digestive tracts of worms) contain five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus and 11 times more potassium.” according to Science Daily.
Science Daily also sites a study from the American Society for Horticultural Science shows how vermicompost improves tomato seedling growth.
Worldwide, drought conditions, extreme temperatures, and high soil saline content all have negative effects on tomato crops. These natural processes reduce soil nutrient content and lifespan, result in reduced plant growth and yield, and ultimately translate to lower profits for tomato producers. As an alternative to unsustainable practices such as the use of synthetic fertilizers, producers are looking to environment-friendly soil ameliorants such as verimcompost leachate, an organic liquid produced from earthworm-digested material and casts that occur during the vermicomposting process.
“Earthworm casts present in vermicompost contain proteins, vitamins, and micro- and macro-elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium,” explained Johannes Van Staden, lead author of a recent study published in HortScience.
Worms are the worlds unsung heroes. Research shows vermicompost improves seed germination, stimulates plant growth, increases productivity, while preventing diseases, the ability to retain water and repel pests. Organic black worm castings, not only contain vital nutrients, they also have an astonishing variety of microbes and improves the soil structure.
Synthetic fertilizers are often derived from the byproducts of the petroleum industry and do not support the soil’s microbiological life. In fact, they end up killing a good percentage of beneficial microorganisms.
Contact Vermitechnology for quality organic black castings and other products at affordable prices.