A comprehensive review of earthworm-derived vermiproducts and their role in sustainable agriculture

• Published in: Discover applied sciences Vol. 7; no. 9; p. 995
• Main Authors: Ganapathy, Nadana Raja Vadivu, Elango, Anbu Cheziyan, Balaji, Ganga, Sankaranarayanan, Mugesh, Sharma, Manisha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 26.08.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agricultural wastes; Agriculture; Applied and Technical Physics; Bioactive compounds; Biofertilizers; Biopesticides; Chemicals; Chemistry/Food Science; Composting; Defense mechanisms; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Farming; Farming systems; Fertilizers; Herbicides; Manures; Materials Science; Microorganisms; Organic farming; Pesticides; Plant growth; Plant protection; Plastic pollution; Product development; Regulatory approval; Review; Soil fertility; Soil quality; Soils; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable development; Vermicomposting; Waste management; Worms; Life on land; Zero hunger; Plant growth and defence; and sustainable agriculture; Organic waste management; Responsible consumption and production
• ISSN: 3004-9261; 2523-3963; 3004-9261; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-025-07614-w

Organic farming practices promote soil health and its associated ecosystems. Earthworms and microorganisms play a vital role in the soil ecosystem. The application of earthworm-derived wastes modifies the soil and sustains agricultural systems, thereby enhancing soil quality and supporting plant growth. The primary objective of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis and application of vermiproducts, such as vermicompost, vermicompost tea, vermiwash, and the coelomic fluid, as most of them exhibit a high variation in physical and chemical traits. The potential applications of vermicompost, vermicompost tea, and vermiwash as biofertilizers and biopesticides are examined due to their pronounced effects on plant growth and defence mechanisms. Furthermore, this review elaborates on the extrusion of coelomic fluids from earthworms and provides a detailed account of their beneficial substances. This study investigates the various functions of these products and their impact on plant growth and defence mechanisms. It also elucidates the multifaceted roles of earthworm products in sustainable agriculture, their potential to enhance soil health and plant productivity from a broad view. Graphical abstract Highlights A systematic review on the process of preparing earthworm-derived products such as vermicompost, vermicompost tea, vermiwash, and the coelomic fluid An integrative review on the application of earthworm-derived products on plant growth and plant protection An overview of the bioactive compounds from earthworm-derived products and their challenges