Vermicomposting for Improved Soil Health: Prospects for Degraded Soils

Soil degradation is a common challenge impacting crop production in Sub Saharan African (SSA). One of the major causes is little or no use of either organic or inorganic soil fertility amendments due to cost and availability issues leading to low crop production. Vermicompost can play an important role in improving soil health especially of degraded soils. This chapter explores the benefits of vermicompost use in managing degraded soils. Due to its organic nature, vermicompost can improve soil biological, chemical and physical properties for increased soil health and crop productivity. Vermicompost contain earthworm castings which are rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in available form which significantly improve fertility of degraded soils. Vermicompost is high in organic matter which increases the diversity and abundance of soil micro and macrofauna. Additionally, vermicompost contains micronutrients which many inorganic fertilizers do not have hence is very useful in improving crop production. Vermicompost has also been found to improve soil porosity, aeration, structure, aggregation and soil water retention However, despite its ability to improve soil health, vermicompost still remains under-utilized especially in SSA where most communal soils are severely degraded. Given the high costs and at times untimely availability of inorganic fertilizers, vermicompost can be a sustainable alternative source of nutrients for improving soil fertility and increased crop production. Therefore, there is need for promotion of vermicompost use especially among communal farmers in SSA for improved soil health and crop productivity.