Integrated Management Practices in Vermicomposting: Comparative Evaluation of Soil Quality Before and After Earthworm Activity Treatment in Ludhiana: Comparative Study

Abstract

The present study is a review-based analytical study focusing on the role of earthworm-mediated vermicomposting in improving soil quality and
promoting sustainable agricultural management practices. Soil degradation, declining fertility, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, reduction in organic matter
content, and deterioration of microbial activity have emerged as major agricultural concerns in Punjab, particularly in Ludhiana, due to intensive farming and
continuous monocropping systems (Sharma & Kaur, 2026). In this context, vermicomposting has gained increasing scientific and agricultural importance as an
eco-friendly biological management practice capable of restoring soil fertility and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The study comparatively evaluates soil quality indicators before and after earthworm activity treatment through detailed review and analysis of existing scientific
literature, agricultural reports, soil management studies, and recent research publications related to vermicomposting and sustainable agriculture. The review
examines various soil quality parameters including soil texture, organic matter content, nutrient availability, moisture retention capacity, microbial biomass, soil
aeration, pH balance, and crop productivity under earthworm-mediated treatment systems (Patel & Singh, 2025). The study further analyses the role of earthworms
as natural soil ecosystem engineers responsible for decomposition of organic matter and enhancement of nutrient cycling within agricultural soils.
The findings of the review indicate that earthworm activity significantly improves physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Scientific studies reviewed
in the paper demonstrate that vermicompost-treated soils exhibit higher nutrient availability, improved organic carbon content, enhanced microbial activity, better
moisture retention, and healthier soil structure compared to untreated soils (Kumar & Brar, 2026). Earthworm burrowing activity improves soil porosity and
aeration, thereby facilitating root penetration and water infiltration. The comparative evaluation further reveals that vermicomposting reduces dependence on
chemical fertilizers and contributes towards long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation