Cattle Manure Vermicompost Research Articles

Comparison of Heat-Treated and Unheated Vermicompost on Biological Properties of Calcareous Soil and Aloe Vera Growth under Greenhouse Conditions in a Mediterranean Climate

Determining how intermittently applied heat treatment during the preparation of vermicompost changes the effectiveness of the fertilizer is a challenge. In this study, organic Aloe vera was grown using heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost (IVC) and unheated cattle manure vermicompost (VC). Additionally, these two vermicomposts were combined with vermiwash (LV) and applied to the soil. Thus, the cumulative effect of vermicompost on soil biological properties (number of bacteria, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, β-glycosidase) and plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, leaf biomass yield, number of suckers, fresh gel weight) was investigated. According to the results obtained, it was understood that HVC-30+LV, HVC-60+LV, and VC-60+LV applications were more effective on soil biological properties. On the other hand, HVC-30+LV and HVC-60+LV applications were found to be effective on plant growth. In addition, increases of 140% in soil bacterial number, 170% in dehydrogenase activity, 125% in urease activity, 122% in alkaline phosphatase activity, 123% in β-glycosidase activity, 65% in plant height, and 45% in leaf biomass yield and wet gel weight were observed. Accordingly, it can be stated that heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost applied to the soil at a rate of 30 t ha−1 together with vermiwash is beneficial for improving the biological properties of calcareous soil and for organic Aloe vera cultivation.

The Abilities of Bacteria and Yeast Isolated from Vermicompost Water Extract to Inhibit Alternaria solani in vitro and Early Blight Disease on Tomato

Early blight disease (Alternaria solani Sor) is one of limiting factors in tomato production. Bacteria and yeast are potential for biocontrol of plant diseases. Sources to obtain biocontrol agens is water extract of organic matters. The objective of this study was to examine the abilities of bacteria and yeast isolated from vermicompost water extract in inhibiting the growth of A. solani in vitro and suppressing the pathogen infection in tomato fruits and leaves. Two types of vermicompost used in this study were cattle manure vermicompost and goat manure vermicompost. The isolation of bacteria and yeast from the vermicompost water extract resulted in 14 isolates, which were 10 isolates from cattle manure vermicompost and four isolates from goat manure vermicompost. Among the isolates, six isolates (three yeast and three bacterial isolates) inhibited the growth of A. solani in vitro by 42.8% – 79.1%. In tomato fruits, five isolates inhibited A. solani infection by 70.6% - 100.0%. In tomato plants, four isolates suppressed early blight disease in tomato leaves by 56.2% - 83.5%. The isolate that showed consistent effects in vitro as well as in vivo was bacterial isolate KB 3. This isolate was potential as biocontrol agent of tomato diseases caused by A. solani.

Comparative Study on the Effect of Common Ions on Zn2+ and Cu2+ Adsorption by Cattle Manure Vermicompost (VC) and VC-amended Soil

ABSTRACT Nowadays, special attention has been paid to remediate contaminated media through low-cost and high-efficiency biosorbents. In this research, the sorption of zinc (Zn2+) and copper (Cu2+) by cattle manure vermicompost (VC) and VC-amended soil and the effect of common ions on sorption was studied. The VC was characterized by using FT-IR spectra, SEM, BET analyses. Isotherm experiments were carried out with different concentrations of Zn2+ and Cu2+ (0–100 mg L−1) in the presence of 10 mM of background electrolytes (Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, and Cl−) as the binary system and the absence of other ions (single system). Data of Zn2+ and Cu2+ adsorption onto VC were fitted to the Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of Zn2+ and Cu2+ onto VC in the single system was 7.27 and 17.73 mg g−1, respectively, which decreased in the following order Ca2+ > Mg2+ > SO42– > Cl – in the binary system. The effect of electrolytes on Zn2+ adsorption was more significant than Cu2+ and the Qmax of Zn2+ and Cu2+ decreased on average 20.4 and 10.8%, respectively. The VC addition increased adsorption in soil. Results indicate that VC had potential for the removal of Zn2+ and Cu2+ from single and binary systems.

Multiplication of Red Worms (<i>Eiseniafetida</i>) Using Different Feeding Materials and Its Effect on Yield and Quality of Vermicompost

The earthworms (Eiseniafetida) were collected from Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centerand introduced in cattle manure, paunch manure and cattle manure supplemented with wheat sraw, paunche manuresupplemented with wheat sraw and cattle manure plus paunch manure supplemented with wheat sraw.300 numbers of red worms (Eisenia fetida) were introduced in to each treatment. At the end of vermicomposting, the earthworm populationand vermicompost amounts were examined to assess the effect of feeding materials on multiplication of worms (Eisenia fetida), vermicompost yield and vermicompost qualities. The highest numberof worms (688.3) was achieved in the paunch manureand lowest (333.7) in the cattle manure vermicompost as sole source of feeding material as compared to all treatments. But the amount of vermicompost was found to be highest (9.6 kg) in mixture of paunch manure and wheat straw vermicompost. The vermicompost samples were analyzed for the parameters: pH, EC, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus. The laboratory analysis results showed highest total nitrogen (3.03%), organic carbon (31.04%), andavailable phosphorus (1523 mg/kg) were recorded in case of vermicompost prepared paunch manure alone. The C:N ratio of all vermicompost samples was in the optimum range (< 20%) and the EC of vermicompost prepared from paunch manure was in the optimum range and the rest were above the optimum rangeof EC values for plants growth. However, the bedding materials give different results and have their own characteristic on selected physic-chemical parameters, all the vermicompost samples were contains sufficient amount of plant nutrients and optimum pH for the better seed germination, plant growth and best fertility and quality of soil. Therefore, all the vermicompost samples could be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. But based on its highest number of red worms (Eiseniafetida), highestyield of vermicompost and highest total nitrogen contents, organic carbon andavailable phosphorus, vermicompost prepared from paunch manure as sole source of feeding material was considered as quality vermicompost.

Genome sequencing and assessment of plant growth-promoting properties of a Serratia marcescens strain isolated from vermicompost

BackgroundPlant-bacteria associations have been extensively studied for their potential in increasing crop productivity in a sustainable manner. Serratia marcescens is a species of Enterobacteriaceae found in a wide range of environments, including soil.ResultsHere we describe the genome sequencing and assessment of plant growth-promoting abilities of S. marcescens UENF-22GI, a strain isolated from mature cattle manure vermicompost. In vitro, S. marcescens UENF-22GI is able to solubilize P and Zn, to produce indole compounds (likely IAA), to colonize hyphae and counter the growth of two phytopathogenic fungi. Inoculation of maize with this strain remarkably increased seedling growth and biomass under greenhouse conditions. The S. marcescens UENF-22GI genome has 5 Mb, assembled in 17 scaffolds comprising 4662 genes (4528 are protein-coding). No plasmids were identified. S. marcescens UENF-22GI is phylogenetically placed within a clade comprised almost exclusively of non-clinical strains. We identified genes and operons that are likely responsible for the interesting plant-growth promoting features that were experimentally described. The S. marcescens UENF-22GI genome harbors a horizontally-transferred genomic island involved in antibiotic production, antibiotic resistance, and anti-phage defense via a novel ADP-ribosyltransferase-like protein and possible modification of DNA by a deazapurine base, which likely contributes to its competitiveness against other bacteria.ConclusionsCollectively, our results suggest that S. marcescens UENF-22GI is a strong candidate to be used in the enrichment of substrates for plant growth promotion or as part of bioinoculants for agriculture.

Physical and chemical characteristics of melon in organic farming

Melon farming is characterized as an important family agriculture activity and the organic production of fruits and vegetables has shown a large growth in terms of areas in Brazil and around the world. This work aimed to study the postharvest quality of melon cultivated in an organic system. The organic treatments constituted of base fertilizer with cattle manure vermicompost (recommended dose, ½ dose and double dose) plus the use of biofertilizer (sprayed or sprayed + irrigated), and an additional treatment with chemical fertilization. The postharvest quality was evaluated through physico-chemical and phytochemical attributes. The organic management with half the recommended dose of vermicompost plus the sprayed biofertilizer and the chemical fertilization management produced fruits with higher levels of sugar, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid and folates, obtaining more balanced fruits, with a better phytochemical quality. The antioxidant capacity was defined mainly by the presence of the phenolic compounds, which were influenced by the type and the dose of the evaluated fertilizers, with superiority in the organic treatments with double the dose of cattle manure vermicompost.

비닐하우스에서 인삼 직파재배 시 유기물 처리에 따른 연차간 입모율 및 생육특성

Shading and soil environment are the main factors of growth and yield in ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). Ginseng yield is directly related to survival rate because of increased missing plant for their growing period. Underfield conditions, diseases and pests significantly affect plant survival rate. We evaluated the seedling establishment, growthand ginsenoside of the ginseng plants, under controlled management conditions in a plastic greenhouse, when their treatedwith different types of organic matter. Ginseng seeds were sown at a rate of three seeds per hole, and the seeding space measured10 ㎝ × 15 ㎝. Compared to the control, treatment of cattle manure vermicompost (CMV) was shown to increaseseedling establishment and decrease ginsenoside content. Root weights of plants treated with CMV were higher than those ofplants treated with other types of organic matter. In addition, seedling establishment of 2-year-old ginseng plants wasdecreased when it was compared to that of 1-year-old ginseng plants. Our results indicated that organic matter type and ratewere associated with seedling establishment, growth characteristic and ginsenoside content in greenhouse of ginseng directsowingculture.

Copper, nickel and zinc accumulations in lettuce grown in soil amended with contaminated cattle manure vermicompost after sequential cultivations

The Cu, Ni and Zn accumulations in leaves and roots of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) grown in soil amended with natural and contaminated cattle manure vermicompost were evaluated. The vermicompost residues containing relatively high metal concentrations used in this work were obtained from a previous experiment, in which vermicompost was applied to removing metals from electroplating wastes. Sequential lettuce cultivations were conducted in pots containing the residual substrates from the first cultivation by adding metal-enriched vermicompost residues. In general, the Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in leaves and roots of lettuce plants grown in vermicompost enriched with these metals were higher than in the treatment using the natural vermicompost. The metal concentrations in leaves from treatments with natural vermicompost were below the critical concentrations of toxicity to plants. However, the metal concentrations in leaves of the third cultivation in which metal-enriched vermicompost was applied were greater than the upper limit that causes plant toxicity, but no visual damage was observed in the plants. Treatment with Zn-enriched vermicompost resulted in toxicity symptoms, but plant damage did not result in the death of the plant. The chemical fractionation of Cu, Ni and Zn in residues from lettuce cultivation was evaluated by using a sequential extraction procedure and metal concentrations were increased in the different chemical fractions according to the increase of vermicompost dose.

Biotechnology of humified materials obtained from vermicomposts for sustainable agroecological purposes

The application of humic substances (HS) to plants stimulates their biochemical-physiological mechanisms, growth and development. Humified materials exhibit structural characteristics that allow interactions with heavy metal cations dissolved in aqueous environments. Due to their high availability, agriculture-derived vermicomposts (VC) (agro-materials) are excellent raw materials for obtaining HS. Based on these properties, it might be possible to develop biotechnology processes that use agromaterials for environmentally sustainable agriculture. The present article describes the application of a biotechnological working protocol that uses cattle manure vermicompost (CVC) as a raw material for HS. The suggested protocol includes six steps based on the structure-property-biological activity relationships of all the resulting agro-materials. Both the CVC and the resulting agro-materials were characterized using various chemical-physical and spectroscopic techniques. The agro-materials not only increased the agricultural production of different crops at the optimal sowing seasons but also increased production under water and saline stress conditions. The residues arising from the protocol processes were analyzed and found to be useful as decontaminants of heavy metals in aqueous liquid effluents. In addition, the use of such products resulted in increased profits for small- and mediumscale farmers. These studies suggest that agriculture-derived composted organic materials are viable for sustainable agroecological use.

Biotechnology of humified materials obtained from vermicomposts for sustainable agroecological purposes

The application of humic substances (HS) to plants stimulates their biochemical-physiological mechanisms, growth and development. Humified materials exhibit structural characteristics that allow interactions with heavy metal cations dissolved in aqueous environments. Due to their high availability, agriculture-derived vermicomposts (VC) (agro-materials) are excellent raw materials for obtaining HS. Based on these properties, it might be possible to develop biotechnology processes that use agromaterials for environmentally sustainable agriculture. The present article describes the application of a biotechnological working protocol that uses cattle manure vermicompost (CVC) as a raw material for HS. The suggested protocol includes six steps based on the structure-property-biological activity relationships of all the resulting agro-materials. Both the CVC and the resulting agro-materials were characterized using various chemical-physical and spectroscopic techniques. The agro-materials not only increased the agricultural production of different crops at the optimal sowing seasons but also increased production under water and saline stress conditions. The residues arising from the protocol processes were analyzed and found to be useful as decontaminants of heavy metals in aqueous liquid effluents. In addition, the use of such products resulted in increased profits for small- and mediumscale farmers. These studies suggest that agriculture-derived composted organic materials are viable for sustainable agroecological use.

Adsorption from Brazilian soils of Cu(II) and Cd(II) using cattle manure vermicompost

The potential of cattle manure vermicompost and Brazilian soils (whole soils and soils incubated with vermicompost) was assessed for adsorption of heavy metals such as Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. Experimental data have been fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model, with R 2 values from 0.89 to 0.99. Based on the maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir isotherm the affinity of the studied metals for the vermicompost and soils have been established as Cu(II) > Cd(II). The values of the separation factor, R L, which has been used to predict affinity between adsorbate and adsorbent were between zero and 1, indicating that sorption was very favourable for Cu(II) and Cd(II) in synthetic solution. Addition of vermicompost to soils resulted in higher distribution coefficient, K d, as compared with whole soils. The thermodynamic parameter, the Gibbs energy changes, was calculated for each system and the negative values obtained confirm that the adsorption processes are spontaneous. The ΔG° values for the substrates were between −2.630±1.41 kJ mol−1 and −13.700±1.250 kJ mol−1. Adsorption tests from multimetal systems confirm the affinity order obtained in the individual metal tests. The adsorption capacity for Cu(II) measured in individual tests is not reduced by the presence of Cd(II). There is also desorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) previously bound to vermicompost, whole soils and soils incubated with vermicompost by DTPA. The experiment indicates the importance of cattle manure vermicompost and oxisol amended with vermicompost in relation to Cu(II) and Cd(II) adsorption from aqueous solution.

A Study on Al(III) and Fe(II) Ions Sorption by Cattle Manure Vermicompost

Cattle manure vermicompost has been used for the adsorption of Al(III) and Fe(II) from both synthetic solution and kaolin industry wastewater. The optimum conditions for Al(III) and Fe(II) adsorption at pH 2 (natural pH of the wastewater) were particle size of ≤250 µm, 1 g/10 mL adsorbent dose, contact time of 4 h, and temperature of 25°C. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms fitted reasonably well in the experimental data, and their constants were evaluated, with R2 values from 0.90 to 0.98. In synthetic solution, the maximum adsorption capacity of the vermicompost for Al(III) was 8.35 mg g−1 and for Fe(II) was 16.98 mg g−1 at 25°C when the vermicompost dose was 1 g 10 mL−1, and the initial adjusted pH was 2. The batch adsorption studies of Al(III) and Fe(II) on vermicompost using kaolin wastewater have shown that the maximum adsorption capacities were 1.10 and 4.30 mg g−1, respectively, at pH 2. The thermodynamic parameter, the Gibbs free energy, was calculated for each system, and the negative values obtained confirm that the adsorption processes were spontaneous.

Zn(II) adsorption from synthetic solution and kaolin wastewater onto vermicompost

The adsorption of Zn(II) from both synthetic solution and kaolin industry wastewater by cattle manure vermicompost was studied. The adsorption process was dependent on the various operating variables, viz., solution pH, particle size of the vermicompost, mass of vermicompost/volume of the Zn(II) solution ratio, contact time and temperature. The optimum conditions for Zn adsorption were pH 6.0, particle size of ≤250 μm, 1 g per 10 mL adsorbent dose, contact time of 4 h and temperature of 25 °C. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms fit well in the experimental data and their constants were evaluated, with R 2 values from 0.95 to 0.99. In synthetic solution, the maximum adsorption capacity of the vermicompost for Zn 2+ ions was 20.48 mg g −1 at 25 °C when the vermicompost dose was 1 g 10 mL −1 and the initial adjusted pH was 2. The batch adsorption studies of Zn(II) on vermicompost using kaolin wastewater have shown the maximum adsorption capacity was 2.49 mg g −1 at pH 2 (natural pH of the wastewater). The small values of the constant related to the energy of adsorption (from 0.07 to 0.163 L mg −1) indicated that Zn 2+ ions were binded strongly to vermicompost. The values of the separation factor, R L, which has been used to predict affinity between adsorbate and adsorbent were between 0 and 1, indicating that sorption was very favorable for Zn(II) in synthetic solution and kaolin wastewater. The thermodynamic parameter, the Gibbs free energy, was calculated for each system and the negative values obtained confirm that the adsorption processes are spontaneous. The Δ G° values were −19.656 kJ mol −1 and −16.849 kJ mol −1 for Zn(II) adsorption on vermicompost in synthetic solution at pH 6 and 2, respectively, and −13.275 kJ mol −1 in kaolin wastewater at pH 2.

Influences of vermicomposts, produced by earthworms and microorganisms from cattle manure, food waste and paper waste, on the germination, growth and flowering of petunias in the greenhouse

Vermicomposts have been shown to promote the germination, growth, and yields of plants. This paper aims to demonstrate the effects of vermicomposts produced from three types of wastes on growth and flowering of petunias which are an important U.S. flowering crop. Vermicomposts, produced commercially from cattle manure, food wastes and paper wastes, were substituted at a range of different concentrations into with a soilless commercial bedding plant container medium, Metro-Mix 360 (MM360), to evaluate their effects on the growth and flowering of petunias ( Petunia sp.) in the greenhouse. Seeds of petunia (var. Dreams Neon Rose F1) were sown into 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 or 10% MM360 substituted with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100% cattle manure, food waste or paper waste vermicompost. Each type of vermicompost constituted a separate sub-experiment. All plants were watered three times weekly with 200 ppm Peter's nutrient solution, containing all nutrients required, from sowing up to 79 days. Substitutions with all of the vermicomposts into MM360 increased germination significantly on almost all sampling dates. Shoot dry weights increased significantly after substituting MM360 with 10–60% cattle manure vermicompost, and 10–100% of both food waste and paper waste vermicomposts. Numbers of flowers increased significantly after MM360 substitutions with 20–40% of both cattle manure and food waste vermicomposts, and by only 40% of paper waste vermicompost. There were no positive correlations between the increases in numbers of flowers, and the amounts of mineral-N and microbial biomass-N in the potting mixtures, or the concentrations of N in the shoot tissues of petunias. Factors such as improvement of the physical structure of the potting medium, increases in populations of beneficial microorganisms, and most probably, the availability of plant growth-influencing-substances such as hormones and humates produced by microorganisms during vermicomposting, probably contributed to the increased petunia germination, growth and flowering.

Reduction of heavy metal contents in liquid effluents by vermicomposts and the use of the metal-enriched vermicomposts in lettuce cultivation

The removal of Cu, Ni and Zn from electroplating effluents by adsorption in cattle manure vermicompost has been discussed. A glass column 38 cm long and 7 cm i.d. was loaded with cattle manure vermicompost and effluents were passed through it. The metal concentrations were measured in the elutant. The experiments on adding effluent aliquots into the columns were continued until the metal concentrations in the elutant reached the maximum values established for effluent discharges in water courses by the Brazilian quality criteria, i.e., Cu = 1.0 mg L −1, Ni = 2.0 mg L −1, and Zn = 5.0 mg L −1. The amount of Cu retention by the vermicompost was determined at the natural effluent pH (2.0). The Zn and Ni retentions were evaluated at the natural effluent pH (6.9 and 7.4, respectively) as well pH 2.0. Vermicompost residues obtained from this process were used for lettuce cultivation. The vermicompost was found to be efficient in removing metals from the electroplating wastes, as well as in the increase of its pH values. Metal retention values were close to 100%. The Cu concentrations in lettuce leaves from the treatment with vermicompost enriched with this metal were below the range of critical toxicity level to plants, i.e., from 20 to 100 mg L −1. However, the estimated Cu concentrations in the roots from the treatment with vermicompost enriched with Cu were much larger than that of the treatment with the natural vermicompost, reaching 246.3 mg L −1. The Ni and Zn concentrations in lettuce leaves from the treatments, with vermicomposts enriched with the respective metals, were above the range of critical toxicity levels to plants, i.e., from 10 to 50 mg kg −1 and from 15 to 30 mg kg −1, respectively. However, no symptom of toxicity was found visually. Larger accumulations of Cu, Ni and Zn were found in the lettuce leaves than in the roots after the treatments with the uncontaminated vermicompost. A greater absorption of Cu and Ni by roots was found in treatments with vermicompost enriched with these elements, whereas Zn was found preferentially in the leaves. The statistical analysis was done by analyses of variance and regression.

Estímulo no crescimento e na hidrólise de ATP em raízes de alface tratadas com humatos de vermicomposto: I - efeito da concentração

O vermicomposto contém uma concentração elevada de substâncias húmicas e já é bem conhecido o efeito do seu uso sobre as propriedades do solo. No entanto, a ação direta das substâncias húmicas sobre o metabolismo das plantas é menos conhecida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de humatos extraídos de vermicomposto de esterco de curral com KOH 0,1 mol L-1 sobre o desenvolvimento e metabolismo de ATP em plântulas de alface. Após a germinação, plântulas de alface foram tratadas com os humatos em concentrações que variaram de 0 a 100 mg L-1 de C, durante quinze dias. Foram avaliados o crescimento da raiz e a atividade das bombas de H+ isoladas da fração microssomal do sistema radicular. Foi observado aumento na matéria fresca e seca do sistema radicular, bem como no número de sítios de mitose, raízes emergidas do eixo principal, na área e no comprimento radiculares, com o uso do humato na concentração de 25 mg L-1 de C. Também foi observado, nessa concentração, aumento significativo na hidrólise de ATP pelas bombas de H+, responsáveis pela geração de energia necessária à absorção de íons e pelo crescimento celular.

Effects of Cu, Ni and Zn on Lettuce Grown in Metal-Enriched Vermicompost Amended Soil

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of cattle manure vermicompost enriched with Cu, Ni or Zn to increase plant yield. An oxisol amended with the metal-enriched vermicompost at the doses 0, 25, 50, 65, and 80 t ha−1 was used to grow lettuce (Lactuca sativa L). After 39 days of growth, the plants were weighed for fresh and dry matter weight determinations. The soil amended with the vermicompost was analyzed for determination of DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-extractable Cu, Ni and Zn. The distribution of the metals in the plants was determined and the metal concentrations compared with the levels commonly found in plants, as well as with the range of the critical levels of toxicity to plants. Within each dose of 50, 65 and 80 t ha−1 of the metal-enriched vermicomposts applied there was a decrease in lettuce yield as compared to the correspondent 50, 65 and 80 t ha−1 doses of the natural vermicompost applied. The Cu concentrations in the lettuce leaves from the pots with vermicompost enriched with this element were in the range commonly found in plants (from 5.9 to 13.9 mg kg−1), although in the roots they were relatively high (from 76.25 to 244.56 mg kg−1). The Ni concentrations in the leaves from the pots with the vermicompost contaminated with this element were within the range of critical levels of toxicity to plants, i.e., from 10 to 50 mg kg−1. In the case of Zn, its concentrations in the leaves from the pots with vermicompost enriched with this element were, in general, above the range of critical levels of toxicity to plants, i.e., from 200 to 500 mg kg−1. The plants grown in soil amended with vermicomposts enriched with Cu and Ni showed high Cu and Ni concentrations in the roots, while the plants grown in soil amended with vermicompost enriched with Zn showed high Zn concentrations in the leaves. The correlation coefficients between the DTPA-extractable Cu, Ni and Zn and their concentrations in the plants varied from 0.835 to 0.950.

Produção de repolho em função da aplicação de boro associada a adubo orgânico

Em condições de campo, em solo argiloso com teor médio de boro, foram avaliados os efeitos da adubação com boro, associada à adubação orgânica, na produção de repolho híbrido Kenzan. Cinco doses de B (0; 2,0; 4,0; 6,0 e 8,0 kg ha-1) foram associadas, em esquema fatorial, à ausência e presença (0 e 10 t ha-1) de vermicomposto de esterco bovino. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com três repetições e as adubações orgânica e química foram feitas no sulco, por ocasião do transplantio das mudas. O ponto de colheita foi atingido 75 a 90 dias após o transplantio. A adubação com vermicomposto de esterco de bovino elevou a produção em 3,8 t ha-1, o diâmetro das cabeças de repolho em 0,8 cm e o peso das cabeças em 170 g. A produção de repolho aumentou linearmente com a adubação com B e variou de 52,94 t ha-1 a 65,95 t ha-1. A relação entre B no solo e produção foi linear e positiva.

Organic matter fractions and soil fertility under the influence of liming, vermicompost and cattle manure

This work evaluates effects of cattle manure vermicompost in association with liming on soil fertility indexes. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, in pots containing samples of a Typic Hapludox, medium-textured soil. Five levels of vermicompost (equivalent to 0, 28, 42, 56, and 70 t ha-1, dry weight) and five liming levels (to raise base saturation to 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60%) were combined in a factorial scheme and samples were incubated for 180 days. Samples of the same soil received the equivalent to 70 t ha-1 of the cattle manure used to produce the vermicompost, and the same lime rates. Cattle manure was better than vermicompost to supply K and Mg. Small differences in P supply were observed between the manures. The vermicompost increased the levels of Ca, pH, organic matter (OM) and CEC more than the manure. C-humic acids decreased and C-humin increased with vermicompost application. With liming, C-humic acids decreased, but the total content of OM was not affected.