Abstract
Soil amendments are used to improve soil quality, thereby enhancing plant growth and health. Efforts have been made to replace synthetic chemical enhancers. It is also preferable to not use natural products such as peat moss, the harvesting of which can be harmful to marine ecosystems. Viable replacements include worm castings, which can contribute beneficial microbes, as well as physicochemical amendments. Another potential soil amendment is the compost produced from sugarcane processing byproducts. While the texture of these two materials is not ideal for even dispersal onto fields, the addition of biochar improves the texture. Previous work demonstrated that blending them with biochar from sugarcane byproducts added physicochemical benefits, while not quantitatively reducing the microbial load, even after storage. Microbial populations of the blends in the present study were found to (1) contain taxonomic groups that contribute to plant health and (2) not contain human pathogens. Based on the quantitative and qualitative microbial analyses, it has been determined that 50% or less biochar in a blend will allow maintenance of beneficial microbes in stored samples.
Highlights
Compost and other organic compounds are potentially beneficial amendments for potting soil mixtures
Blends of biochar with either worm castings or filter mud from sugarcane processing were previously shown to have chemical properties that are beneficial for plant growth [14]
The results show that bacterial genera known to cause foodborne illness were not identified in any of the blends
Summary
Compost and other organic compounds are potentially beneficial amendments for potting soil mixtures. Organic compounds can contribute to improvements in plant growth and yield due to the nutrients and improved water-holding capacity they provide [1]. Sphagnum peat moss is one such amendment and has traditionally been used to provide these advantages in soil [4]. Vermicompost, worm castings, is an effective soil conditioner because it contributes plant-available nutrients and organic matter [3,5,6]. Farm animal manure is a beneficial material for addition to the soil by enhancing both physical and chemical characteristics [9]; to be useful, organic matter, such as manure, must be decomposed to a humus-like state [9]. The introduction of earthworms can accelerate conversion of cow manure to a mature state for enhancement of plant growth [10]. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
