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7-6-2
Vermiculture liquids
Definitions Quality
Information Sheet No. 7-6-2
Third Edition 2007 A water based liquid extracted from At present, no Australian Standard,
vermicast that may be suitable for international standard, or industry
adding to soil surfaces and/or onto standard exists for vermiculture
Inside This Sheet plants as a foliar spray. Vermiculture liquids.
liquids generally come in two forms,
2
matured vermicast products that have Because of the presence of organic
Benefits
been soaked/steeped in water and particles in vermiculture liquids,
have had their solids strained off to filtration systems may be required in
Risks produce a liquid product. irrigation and spraying equipment.
The size/type of filter used is
Vermiculture liquids usually contain dependent upon the specifications of
a solution of organic and inorganic the irrigation or spraying system (e.g.
Additives
nutrients and a large number of
nozzle size) and the level of
organisms including bacteria and particulate matter in the vermicast
fungi. liquid.
Application rates
Vermiculture liquids are also known
as vermi-liquids, vermiculture liquid
Uses
Definitions extracts, liquid vermicasts, liquefied These products may have various
vermicast, vermicast liquid teas and a applications at small and large scales.
number of other commercial brand They can be added to garden beds,
3 Application methods
names. potted plants and to soils at a broader
horticultural/agricultural scale.
Important references Plate 1. Large scale vermiculture beds in the United States of America. Aqueous
vermicast extracts are produced by soaking matured vermicasts in water and then
straining the solids off to produce a liquid product.
Acknowledgements
ISBN 1-876850-03-5
products may provide nutrients to products. This variance may have controlled conditions by specific worm
soil and plants. detrimental effects on plant health. species and microorganisms under mesophilic
temperatures. Commercial vermiculture
Some research indicates that If the original feedstock material is systems include: windrows or beds; stackable
vermiculture liquids can potentially not pasteurised, then aqueous trays; batch-flow containers, and continuous
reduce aluminium toxicity in acidic vermicast extracts may carry similar flow containers.
Although there is no direct research active microorganisms, excessive A temperature range of 20-45°C. Mesophilic
indicating that vermiculture liquids storage time may result in a decrease microorganisms grow well at these
have disease suppression effects, it is in microbial activity, and perhaps a temperatures and are also important for
possible that they will have similar decrease in their effectiveness (i.e. in decomposition during the cool-down or
benefits to those of vermicast terms of plant disease suppression). maturation stage of composting. Most
products. Thus these products should be used pathogenic microorganisms grow in this
shortly after their preparation. temperature range, and are thus destroyed
It has also been suggested that under high temperature (thermophilic)
growth hormones in these products Additives conditions during composting.
may enhance plant growth. These products are usually diluted
Phytotoxic
with water prior to application to
Risks plants or soil. Toxic to plants. Partially decomposed organic
As there are no standard guidelines materials or immature composts are often
for the manufacture of vermiculture Vermicast liquids may be inoculated phytotoxic, but this usually decreases with
liquids, variability in product quality with different microorganisms in time. Such products may be phytotoxic due to
and attributes may be significant. some instances to enhance their a number of factors, including: low nutrient
disease suppressive characteristics. content; high oxygen consumption; presence
Matured aqueous vermicast extracts of fatty acid or alcohol metabolites formed by
carry the least amount of risk, while Application rates microorganisms under anaerobic conditions;
leachate from worm beds presents Application rates are difficult to or due to excessive concentrations of salts,
the greatest risk, for reasons outlined specify due to variability in heavy metals and other organic compounds.
below: vermiculture liquid product quality
and due to the absence of product
Worm bed leachate: Vermiculture
standards. However, in most cases,
liquids originating from worm bed
these products need to be diluted
leachate may carry pathogens and
with water before they are applied to
have a range of nutrient levels.
soils and/or plants. * Recycled Organics Unit (2002).
Pathogen levels and product variance
are related to the time in which the
2 . . . . . . . . . Vermiculture
Vermiculture liquids liquids
Application methods For larger applications, they may be
added to soil through an irrigation or
For small scale applications, such as
spraying system. Organic particles in
domestic gardens, vermiculture
vermiculture liquids may clog
liquids may be applied directly to
irrigation/spraying systems; therefore
plants and soil with watering cans or
filters should be attached to pipes and
hand held sprays.
equipment to minimise the risks of
blockage.
Notes:
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3 . . . . . . . . . Vermiculture
Vermiculture liquids liquids