P. polymyxa or B. polymyxa is a Gram-positive, non-pathogenic nitrogen-fixing bacterium usually found in soil or marine sediments. This is the first report on its occurrence in vermicompost. The reason for the presence of P. polymyxa in the vermicompost may be due to worm-associated microflora or to soil bedding/plant debris used in the different stages of vermicomposting [41]. It has considerable economic importance in the agricultural and horticultural fields as an efficient plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, biofertilizer and antagonist of various root pathogens [42]. P. polymyxa has specific properties like the fermentation of mannitol, lactose and galactose and production of hydrogen sulfide gas during the TSI test [43]. Similar results were observed in the present investigation.