It has been reported in several studies that during the process of vermicomposting the nutrient concentration (micro as well as macro nutrients) in the final vermicompost increased manifold from the initial substrate. For example, if the initial substrate has the nitrogen concentration 2g/kg, and after vermicomposting it increased up to 3g/kg (as reported in some studies). Can somebody share the experiences, with what process the nutrient pool increased from initial substrate to final vermicompost.
increasing in the concentration of nutrients is that earthworms stimulate the microorganisms present in the substrate, which for its metabolism can contribute to solubilize or increase the availability of nutrients. Example is that estimulate nitrogen biologica fixation of bacteria
In other words @ Fantalvo, you mean that during vermicomposting, the overall nutrient concentration doesn't change but the availability of nutrients in a form which can be readily taken by plants are increased?
yes. Because if you look soil analysis only measure nutrient availability.
Now nitrogen is diferent, because natural fixation of this nutrient by bacterias that fix N2 of air, i nnitrogen case eartworms stimulate bacterias that fix nitrogen
The increase in total concentrations is only mainly due to loss in weight which due to loss of elements like C as CO2 and N as ammonia, but this should not be mainly attributed to earthworm activity. I agree with Fontalvo, its the various pools of the nutrients that change to plant available forms.
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