1. Vermicompost Dr. Shakera Inamdar Department of Zoology.
Modern college of Arts, Commerce and Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune-16

2. Worm castings are considered "black gold" for soil
Worm castings are considered "black gold" for soil. Earthworms and Vermicomposting: Indian Scenario. The familiar earthworm species, Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus rubellus, and Perionyx excavatus, are well known for their efficiency in vermicomposting.Dec 16, 2009
African earthworm (Eudrillus euginiae)
Tiger worm or Red wrinkle (Eisenia foetida)
Asian worms (perinonyx ecavatus)

3. Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Annelida
Class:
Oligochaeta
Subclass:
Oligochaeta (but disputed, see taxonomy) or Haplotaxida
Order:
Megadrilacea
Suborder:
Lumbricina + Moniligastrida NODC v. 8.0, 1996[1]

4. Phylum Annelida many marine, freshwater, and terrestrial worms
Ex) leeches and earthworms
“segmented worms”
division of rings or segments
septa/septum (walls) separate segments
setae: small, bristle-like appendages

5. An earthworm's digestive system runs through the length of its body
An earthworm's digestive system runs through the length of its body. It conducts respiration through its skin.
It has a double transport system composed of coelomic fluid that moves within the fluid-filled coelom and a simple,
closed blood circulatory system. It has a central and a peripheral nervous system.
The central nervous system consists of two ganglia above the mouth, one on either side, connected to a nerve cord running back along its length to motor neurons and sensory cells in each segment.

6. Large numbers of chemoreceptors are concentrated near its mouth
Large numbers of chemoreceptors are concentrated near its mouth. Circumferential and longitudinal muscles on the periphery of each segment enable the worm to move.
Similar sets of muscles line the gut, and their actions move the digesting food toward the worm's anus.[2
Earthworms are hermaphrodites—each individual carries both male and female sex organs. They lack either an internal skeleton or exoskeleton, but maintain their structure with fluid-filled coelom chambers that function as a hydrostatic skeleton.

7. External Anatomy

9. Internal Anatomy

11. Musculature *Cuticle- thin external layer.
*Epidermis- outer cellular layer
Circular muscle layer
Longitudinal muscle layer

13. obtain food by eating through and taking nutrients from soil
Digestive System
obtain food by eating through and taking nutrients from soil

14. Mouth
Pharynx
Esophagus
Crop: storage compartment. 
Gizzard:  soil ground up and churned
Intestine: digestion and absorption occur
Anus: Undigested material is voided

15. Nutritive value of Vermicompost
Organic carbon :
9.5 – 17.98%
Nitrogen             
0.5 – 1.50%
Phosphorous
0.1 – 0.30%
Potassium
0.15 – 0.56%
Sodium
0.06 – 0.30%
Calcium and Magnesium
22.67 to meq/100g
Copper
2 – 9.50 mg kg-1  
Iron       
2 – 9.30 mg kg-1
Zinc
5.70 – mg kg-1
Sulphur               
128 – 548 mg kg

19. Respiratory System All annelids live in moist environments
most are aquatic. 
earthworm can survive only in damp soil. 
Gas exchange occurs at body surface through diffusion
No lungs!

20. Circulatory System closed system
five pairs of pseudohearts surround esophagus and pump blood
blood travels to dorsal vessel

24. Nervous System Cerebral ganglia acts as “brain”
Prostomium: tongue-like lobe above mouth, allows earthworms to “feel” through soil

26. Reproductive System Earthworms are hermaphrodites
male and female reproductive organs present in each individual
cross fertilize
mate by attaching at clitella, exchanging sperm, then seperating
sperm stored while clitellum secrete a mucous cocoon
cocoon slides along worm to collecting sperm and also eggs
slips off worm's head
embryos develop in cocoon.

30. What happens when an earthworm is cut in half?
Can it form two separate worms?
most organs are in anterior
can regenerate a new posterior
posterior end can not regenerate a new posterior
so, no you don't get two new worms.

31. Advantages of Vermicompost
Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients.
Provides excellent effect on overall plant growth, encourages the growth of new
shoots / leaves and improves the quality and shelf life of the produce.
Vermicompost is free flowing, easy to apply, handle and store and does not have bad odour.
It improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and waterholding capacity and prevents soil erosion. Vermicompost is rich in beneficial micro flora such as a fixers, P- solubilizers,

32. cellulose decomposing micro-flora etc in addition to improve soil environment.
Vermicompost contains earthworm cocoons and increases the population and
activity of earthworm in the soil.
It neutralizes the soil protection.
It prevents nutrient losses and increases the use efficiency of chemical fertilizers.
Vermicompost is free from pathogens, toxic elements, weed seeds etc.
Vermicompost minimizes the incidence of pest and diseases.
It enhances the decomposition of organic matter in soil.
It contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxins, gibberellins etc.