Vermicompost Dosage Guide: Crop-Wise Recommendations from CSSRI Karnal

The standard vermicompost dosage in India ranges from **500 kg to 3,000 kg per acre** depending on crop type, soil condition and whether chemical fertilizers are being used alongside. The recommendations below are informed by field trials conducted at or in collaboration with CSSRI Karnal (Central Soil Salinity Research Institute) and validated by Radheyam's scientific advisor Dr. Suresh Kumar Arora (CCSHAU, Hisar — 40+ years soil science). **General principle:** Apply vermicompost as a basal dose (before sowing or transplanting) by mixing into the top 6–8 inches of soil. For standing crops, apply as a top-dress near the root zone and water immediately.

| Crop | Dosage per Acre | Application Method | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Wheat (Gehun) | 800–1,500 kg | Basal — mix into soil before sowing | Combine with Vermiwash spray at tillering stage | | Rice / Paddy | 1,000–1,500 kg | Basal — incorporate into puddled soil | Apply 7–10 days before transplanting | | Sugarcane | 1,500–3,000 kg | Basal + ratoon top-dress | Higher dose for ratoon crop | | Maize (Makka) | 800–1,200 kg | Basal before sowing | Especially beneficial in red laterite soils | | Cotton | 1,000–1,500 kg | Basal + top-dress at 30 DAS | Reduces bollworm susceptibility with healthy root system | | Vegetables (general) | 700–1,200 kg | Basal — mix into raised beds | Apply 1 week before transplanting | | Tomato / Brinjal / Capsicum | 700–1,000 kg | Basal + top-dress at 21 DAS | Vermiwash foliar at flowering stage | | Leafy Vegetables | 500–700 kg | Basal — light incorporation | Avoid deep burial — surface layer is more effective | | Pulses & Legumes | 500–700 kg | Basal | Legumes fix their own N — focus on P and K from vermicompost | | Onion / Garlic | 700–1,000 kg | Basal — raised bed preparation | Critical for bulb sizing and flavour development | | Potato | 1,000–1,500 kg | Basal — mix into furrow | Improves tuber size and reduces scab incidence | | Fruits & Orchards | 2–5 kg per tree | Ring application around drip line | Apply twice per year — pre-flowering and post-harvest | | Horticulture / Flowers | 500–800 kg | Raised bed mix | Improves bloom density and shelf life |

**Best timing by crop calendar:** - **Kharif crops (June–October):** Apply vermicompost 15–20 days before monsoon sowing. This allows moisture activation of the microbial components before the crop is in the ground. - **Rabi crops (October–March):** Apply as basal before sowing. For wheat, timing with pre-sowing irrigation (palewa) gives best results — the moisture activates Trichoderma and Pseudomonas in the vermicompost. - **Zaid / summer crops:** Apply early in land preparation. High summer temperatures accelerate microbial activity — the vermicompost releases nutrients faster. **Top-dressing mid-crop:** For standing crops, apply vermicompost as a ring around the plant base, 4–6 inches from the stem. Water immediately. Best done at first node development stage for cereals, or at 21–30 days after sowing/transplanting for vegetables.

For maximum yield response, combine Sattva Vermicompost (soil application) with Vermiwash (foliar spray). **Vermiwash dilution ratios:** - Foliar spray: 1:10 (1 part Vermiwash : 10 parts water) — apply at 15-day intervals during active growth - Soil drench / root zone: 1:5 (1 part Vermiwash : 5 parts water) — apply at planting or transplanting **Recommended spray timing:** 1. At 20–25 days after sowing (vegetative growth stage) 2. At pre-flowering (nutrient demand peak) 3. At grain/fruit fill stage Expert tip from Dr. Suresh Kumar Arora (CCSHAU, Hisar): "For maximum benefit, combine Sattva Vermicompost with Vermiwash foliar spray (1:10 ratio) at key crop growth stages — proven to reduce chemical inputs by 40–60%."

To calculate what you need: 1. Determine your acreage 2. Multiply by the dosage for your crop from the table above 3. Add 10–15% buffer for uneven application or storage loss **Example:** 5 acres of wheat at 1,000 kg/acre = 5,000 kg = 5 MT Sattva Vermicompost is available in 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg packs — and in bulk loose format for orders above 1 MT. For bulk institutional or FPO orders, contact Radheyam directly for field delivery to your location. For farmers in Haryana, Punjab and UP within driving distance of Karnal, same-day or next-day delivery is available for standard orders.