The investigations on standardization of fortification dose of lignin decomposer, Phanerocheate chrysosporium for preliminary decomposition of cotton, mulberry and pigeonpea stalks for subsequent vermicomposting and evaluation of suitable substrates for Eudrilus eugeniae were carried out at the vermiculture unit of Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during September to December 2010. The results indicated that among three different doses of lignin decomposer, P. chrysosporium for fortification of cotton, mulberry and pigeonpea stalks for vermicomposting at 40 g per 20 kg substrate (i.e. 2 kg per ton of substrate) was found ideal and economical for all the three substrates. For evaluation of suitable substrates for earthworm bio-conversion among the six different organic substrates viz., sorghum stalks, groundnut husk, cassia weed, grass weeds, parthenium and equimixure of these substrate (mixed substrate) were tried and the results revealed that sorghum stalks, cassia weed and mixed substrates emerged as the best substrates for earthworm multiplication, biomass accumulation and vermicompost production. The total earthworm biomass observed at 100 days after release (319.86 g, 278.62 g and 270.13 g in sorghum stalks, cassia weed and mixed substrate respectively) indicated significant superiority of these crop residues over the other three substrates. The parthenium weed alone as substrate was found less suitable, however in combination with other substrates, parthenium weed could be utilized for vermicomposting.