How does the process of vermicomposting take place in earthworms?
We know that the type of earthworms used in the vermicomposting are red worms. These worms consume organic wastes like fruit peels, leftover food, dried leaves and other agricultural wastes provided to them, along with the soil.
The red worms do not have any teeth. Before the food enters their stomach region, it passes through an area called the gizzard. The gizzard serves the function of grinding. It churns the food molecules and helps in their breakdown.
Internal structure of a red worm
The broken particles are then passed on to the stomach where the food gets digested completely. The presence of the gizzard makes the breakdown of waste particles possible.
Once the food enters the stomach, it gets completely digested, and the waste matter in the form of castings is given out. These castings are the compost which is rich in nutrients.
In the next segment, we will learn about the set up that is needed to nurture these red worms and get the compost from them.