ABSTRACT
In response to the extremely large amounts of organic wastes currently produced, thermophilic composting technology has become increasingly popular for large-scale processing and disposal of a wide range of organic wastes. However, the process does not always produce high-quality products that have good potential for soil and land improvement, and most thermophilic composts do not have great economic value. Over the last 30 years, interest has increased progressively in the potential of a related process that involves the use of earthworms to break down
CONTENTS
I Introduction .................................................................................................... 79 II Windrow Vermicomposting Systems ............................................................. 81 III Batch Systems of Vermicomposting ............................................................... 82 IV Earthworm-Harvesting Equipment................................................................. 83
A Typical Rotating Trommel ....................................................................... 83 B Improved Comb-Type Mechanism of Separating Earthworms
from Vermicompost .................................................................................84 V Domestic Vermicomposting Systems .............................................................85 VI Wedge Vermicomposting Systems .................................................................86 VII Diseases and Predators of Earthworms in Vermicomposting Systems ..........88
