About this book
Exploring the dramatic growth and change in the field of vermicomposting since 1988, this comprehensive review assesses the advancements made in government-funded projects in the U.S. and UK. It discusses outdoor or indoor windows, container systems, wedge systems, and low labor-requirement, fully-automated continuous flow vermicomposting reactor systems that can process more than 1000 tons of organic wastes per reactor. It also highlights the science and biology behind the use and efficacy of vermicomposting and details the technology of the past, present, and future.
Contents
Introduction, History, and Potential of Vermicomposting Technology, C.A. Edwards Relationships between Composting and Vermicomposting: Relative Values of the Products, J. Dominguez and C.A. Edwards Biology and Ecology of Earthworm Species used for Vermicomposting, J. Dominguez and C.A. Edwards Discovery and Development of New Species for Vermiculture, S. James and A. Guimaraes The Microbiology of Vermicomposting, J. Dominguez Small-Scale School and Domestic Vermicomposting Systems, R.L. Sherman and M. Appelhof Low-Technology Vermicomposting Systems, C.A. Edwards Medium- and High-Technology Vermicomposting Systems, C.A. Edwards The Potential of Vermicomposts as Plant Growth Media for Greenhouse Crop Production, N.Q. Arancon, C.A. Edwards, K. Webster, and J. Buckerfield The Use of Vermicomposts as Soil Amendments for Production of Field Crops, N.Q. Arancon and C.A. Edwards The Production of Vermicompost Aqueous Solutions or "Teas", C. Salter and C.A. Edwards The Suppression of Plant Pathogens by Vermicomposts, A.L.H. Jack Use of Aqueous Extracts from Vermicompost ("Teas") in Suppression of Plant Pathogens, C.A. Edwards, A.M. Askar, M.A. Vasko-Bennett, and N.Q. Arancon Suppression of Arthropod Pests and Plant Parasitic Nematodes by Vermicomposts and Aqueous Extracts from Vermicompost ("Teas"), C.A. Edwards, A.M. Askar, M. A. Vasko-Bennett, and N.Q. Arancon The Use and Effects of Aqueous Extracts from Vermicomposts ("Teas") on Plant Growth and Yields, C.A. Edwards, A.M. Askar, M.A. Vasko-Bennett, and N.Q. Arancon Human Pathogen Reduction during Vermicomposting, C.A. Edwards and S. Subler Heavy Metals, Earthworms, and Vermicomposts, A.J. Morgan Quality Criteria for Vermicomposts, C.A. Edwards, S. Subler, and N.Q. Arancon The Commercial Potential and Economics of Vermicomposting, J. Jensen, B. Christie, and C.A. Edwards The Production of Earthworm Protein for Animal Feed from Organic Wastes, C.A. Edwards and A. Niederer The Use of Vermiculture for Land Improvement, K.R. Butt The Potential of Earthworms Produced from Organic Wastes in Production of Pharmaceuticals, M. Balamurugan, K. Parthasarathi, L. S. Ranganathan, and E.L. Cooper The Status of Vermicomposting in North America: A Rapidly Developing Technology, R.L. Sherman and P. Bogdanov Vermicomposting in Businesses and Institutions, R.L. Sherman New Developments and Insights on Vermicomposting in Spain, J. Dominguez and M. Aira Vermiculture and Vermicomposting in the United Kingdom, K.R. Butt and B. Williams Vermiculture in Australia and New Zealand: From Earthworm Production to Commercial Vermicomposting, K.A. Webster and J.C. Buckerfield Origins and Spread of Vermicomposting in India: Focus on Sustainable Agriculture, R. Kale Vermiculture in the Philippines, R.D. Guerrero, III The Status of Vermicomposting in Indonesia, B. Gunadi Vermicomposting Projects in Hong Kong, D.J. Ellery and T.C. Kai Vermicomposting Research and Activities in Mexico, E. Aranda-Delgado, I. Barois, M. de los Santos B., and B. Hernandez-Castellanos The Scope of Vermiculture in Cuba, M.M. Reines lvarez and C. Rodriguez Aragones Commercial Applications of Vermiculture in China, S. Zhenjun Progress in Vermicomposting in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, M. Svetlana Index
Customer Reviews
Biography
The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA University of Hawaii, Hilo, USA North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA
