Poultry Litter Research Articles

Efeito do gás amônia em cama aviária contaminada com Eimeria spp.

Avian coccidiosis is a common disease that affects poultry worldwide. The practices used to control this pathology in poultry are based mainly on the use of antimicrobials, which have generated increased resistance of Eimeria and other microorganisms. Research is therefore needed to devise new control models and strategies. The objective of our research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ammonia gas on poultry litter artificially contaminated with unsporulated Eimeria spp. oocysts. Samples of sterilized poultry litter were placed in containers artificially contaminated with unsporulated Eimeria spp. oocysts. Samples were placed in plastic bags and ammonia gas was injected in concentrations of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1% and 1.2%. The tested dosages of ammonia gas inhibited the sporulation of oocysts in poultry litter by 100%. Our study indicates that ammonia gas is efficient in eliminating Eimeria spp. in poultry litter at concentrations equal to or higher than 0.2% after one hour of exposure. These results are promising because, through the use of the bedding disinfection method (shallow fermentation with ammonia injection) it will be possible to eliminate field oocysts, improving the result of coccidiosis vaccines.

Poultry Litter Compost and NPK fertilizers Induced Growth and Yield Performance of Boro Rice at Rooftop Farming

The effects of inorganic fertilizers and decomposed poultry litter on the growth and yield performance of boro rice (Oryza sativa L.) were assessed by conducting a pot experiment on the rooftop of a building in Charfasson town, Bhola. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD), having eight treatments with three replications each. Different agronomic parameters were measured at 30-day intervals after sowing of seeds and yield parameters after harvesting. The highest height (82.67 cm) at 90d, number of leaf (37.67) at 120d, longest leaf ( 39.67 cm) at 90d, and length of panicle (27.17 cm), number of grains/panicle (153.33), weight of grain/panicle (3.74 g), fresh weight of grains (62.35 g/pot), dry weight of grain (51.53 g/pot), dry weight of root (13.43 g/pot), rice yield (51.53 g/pot) or (5.67 t ha-1), highest B:C ratio (4.51), respectively, were found in the treatment T7: (3.0 t PL ha-1 + N100P25K90 kg ha-1). The results of treatments T7 and T8 are statistically identical. The overall best growth performance and yield of boro rice were achieved in T7: (3.0 t PL ha-1 + N100P25K90 kg ha-1) treatment on a rooftop farming system on the south coast of Bangladesh. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2024, 10(1): 99-108

Effect of Different Fertilizer Combinations and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on Yield Attributing Traits of Mustard

The combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer combination and gibberellic acid (GA3) is a potential solution to increase yields. The motives of this investigation are to evaluate the yield and yield attributes of mustard varieties with different fertilizer combinations and gibberellic acid (GA3). The experiment was set at the Research Field of the Department Crop Physiology and Ecology of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, in accordance with randomized complete block design with three replications. Three mustard varieties viz., BARI mustard-14, BARI mustard-17 and BINA mustard-9 were evaluated against four combined fertilizations and GA3. The maximal yield and yield attributing traits were significantly subjugated by variant fertilization and varieties. The results expounded that BARI mustard-17 emanated the utmost values followed by varieties BARI mustard-14 and BINA mustard-9. In extent of fertilization, most of the growth parameters showed the highest values in Urea: 250 kg ha-1, MoP: 70 kg ha-1, TSP: 190 kg ha-1, Gypsum: 120 kg ha-1, Zinc Sulphate: 4 kg ha-1, Boric acid: 10 kg ha-1, Poultry litter compost: 10 tons ha-1, GA3: Gibberellic Acid 10 % and the lowest values were recorded in Urea: 250 kg ha-1, MoP: 70 kg ha-1, TSP: 190 kg ha-1, Gypsum: 120 kg ha-1, Zinc Sulphate: 4 kg ha-1, Poultry litter compost: 10 tons ha-1. In the majority of instances, the BARI mustard-17 and Urea: 250 kg ha-1, MoP: 70 kg ha-1, TSP: 190 kg ha-1, Gypsum: 120 kg ha-1, Zinc Sulphate: 4 kg ha-1, Boric acid: 10 kg ha-1, Poultry litter compost: 10 tons ha-1, GA3: Gibberellic Acid 10 % exhibited the highest performance in the context of fertilization and variety interactions. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(2): 185-192, 2024

Tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics contamination in agricultural soils fertilized long-term with chicken litter: Trends and ravages

We investigated the potential accumulation of tetracyclines (TCs) such as chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and doxycycline (DC), and fluoroquinolones (FQs) like enrofloxacin (ENR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) in chicken litter and agricultural soils fertilized over short-term to long-term (<1–30 yrs) with chicken litter in a poultry hub for the first time from Tamil Nadu, India. CTC, OTC, DC, CIP, and ENR were detected in 46–92 % of the selected chicken litter samples, with mean levels ranging from 2.90 to 23.30 μg kg−1. Higher concentrations of TCs and FQs were observed in freshly collected chicken litter from poultry sheds than in those stockpiled in cultivated lands. CTC was the prevalent antibiotic in chicken litter. The overall occurrence, as well as the ecological risks of TCs and FQs, changed over a 30-yr period. The accumulation of veterinary antibiotics (VAs) (in μg kg−1) in short-term (>1 yr) to medium-term (1–3 yrs) chicken litter-fertilized soils reached a maximum of 11.60 for CTC, 6.50 for OTC, 0.80 for DC, 3.70 for CIP, and 3.60 for ENR, but decreased in long-term (10–30 yrs) fertilized soils. Ecological risk assessment revealed a Risk Quotient (RQ) of ≤0.10 for CTC, OTC, and DC in all soils, while an average risk (RQ >0.10–<1.0) was evident with CIP and ENR in short-term and medium-term fertilized soils. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including tetA, tetB, qnrA, qnrB and qnrS were detected in most of the chicken litter samples and litter-fertilized soils. Thus, it is critical to develop and adopt effective mitigation strategies before applying chicken litter in farmlands to decrease VAs and ARGs, reducing their associated risks to public health and ecosystems in India considering ‘One Health’ approach. Future investigations on the occurrence of other VAs and ARGs in soils fertilized with poultry litter at regional scale are required for effective risk mitigation of the widely used VAs.

Short-Term Effects of Poultry Litter and Cattle Manure on Soil’s Chemical Properties and Bacterial Community

Short-Term Effects of Poultry Litter and Cattle Manure on Soil’s Chemical Properties and Bacterial Community

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review of Organic Farming Practices and Environmental Impact

Organic farming, characterized by the exclusion of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, represents a sustainable approach to agriculture. This study investigates the impact of organic farming practices on soil health, focusing on the proliferation and activity of soil microorganisms. Natural fertilizers such as farmyard manure, poultry litter, composts, green manures, and oil-free cakes were utilized to enhance soil fertility. The research reveals that these practices significantly improve soil health by fostering a robust microbiome, which is essential to the cycling of nutrients and overall health of the soil vitality. The safety and nutritional benefits of organic food products were also evaluated. Comparative analysis with conventionally grown foods indicates that organic produce contains lower levels of harmful residues such as pesticides, nitrates, metals, and antibiotics. This reduction in contaminants mitigates potential risks to human health associated with conventional farming practices. Furthermore, organic foods are found to be richer in essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, thereby offering superior nutritional value. The economic implications of organic farming were explored, highlighting its potential to enhance the economic viability of small-scale farmers. With increasing consumer awareness and demand for organic products, farmers practicing organic methods can command higher prices for their produce, thereby improving their economic sustainability and resilience. In conclusion, organic farming emerges as an environmentally friendly and economically viable alternative to conventional agriculture. By promoting soil health, reducing chemical residues in food, and meeting consumer demand for nutritious products, organic farming offers a pathway towards sustainable agricultural practices.

The Effect of Temperature and Treatment Regime on the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Poultry Litter Biochar

The Effect of Temperature and Treatment Regime on the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Poultry Litter Biochar

Elevation map-based variable rate poultry litter application is a promising method in cotton production

Variable rate poultry litter (PL) application can potentially increase cotton yield and reduce environmental degradation risks associated with excess applications. The objective of this study was to determine whether applying PL in an inherently variable cotton field as variable-rate based on soil organic matter (SOM, VRo) or elevation (VRe) maps leads to greater yield and production efficiency than applying by the traditional uniform rate (UR). Poultry litter was applied by varying the rate within ±20 % of the target rates (7.9–11.2 Mg ha−1) where the highest elevation or lowest SOM regions received the highest rate, and the lowest elevation or highest SOM regions received the lowest rate. A treatment fertilized with conventional synthetic fertilizers served as the standard control (Std). Cotton fertilized with PL, regardless of the application method, provided greater K, S, and P nutrition and increased lint yield by as much as 30 % relative to the Std treatment. Applying the PL by the VRe method increased the production efficiency (yield per unit applied PL) by nearly 13 % over the UR. The VRo treatment resulted in a yield reduction of up to 11.8 % but the production efficiency was 14.2 % greater than the UR treatment. Variable rate application based on SOM was not as effective as that based on elevation. The results overall show that PL was superior to synthetic fertilizers in this soil and this superiority could further be enhanced by applying the PL as variable rate based on elevation maps.

Zootechnical performance, feed efficiency and larval composition of Zophobas morio (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fed with poultry litter-based diets

Abstract The yellow mealworm, super worm, and house cricket are among the most widely produced insects, with high feed conversion efficiency. However, their nutritional composition and development rate generally vary with environmental conditions. From an economic point of view, rearing conditions such as diet, temperature, and development time; insect performance such as mortality and nutritional value are the most important factors. In order to assess the development, growth, feed conversion efficiency, and chemical composition of Zophobas morio (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae fed with diets containing poultry litter, an experiment was conducted. Five diets with varying levels of poultry litter inclusion (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were used to replace the control diet (broiler feed), with five replicates containing 25 larvae per sample unit. Larval growth and development were assessed, and the chemical compositions of both the diet and Z. morio larvae were determined. Significant differences were observed among treatments for development time, survival rate, pupa weight, adult weight of Z. morio subjected to different poultry litter-based diets, as well as in the nutritional index bioassay. The longest development time and the highest larval mortality were observed in the 100% poultry litter-based diets. The highest percentage of crude protein in larval meal (%CP) was obtained with the addition of 25 and 50% poultry litter and was lowest with 100%. The incorporation of poultry litter into the diet of Z. morio has a multifaceted impact on growth and feed conversion efficiency. Elevated levels of poultry litter inclusion led to an extension in development time, yet food conversion efficiency attains optimization with an inclusion rate of up to 50%. Consequently, the decision regarding the proportion of poultry litter in the diet should be carefully weighed, taking into account breeding objectives, efficiency considerations, and cost factors. This ensures the attainment of an optimal balance between larval growth and nutritional efficiency.

Chemical Characteristics of Chicken Litter Waste in Closed-House System

Waste from the broiler and layer farming industry with a closed-house system continues to increase without optimizing waste utilization and harms the environment. Potential chicken litter waste from the chicken farming industry in West Sumatra is 5 tons per harvest (40 days) from a chicken livestock capacity of 100,000 chickens. This research aims to assess the potential and utilization and study the biochemistry of chicken manure waste in closed-house systems as biosorbents and fertilizers through amelioration technology. Closed-house chicken coop bedding waste (CHCCW) in the form of sawdust has functional groups such as carboxyl that can absorb cations because it can increase the negative charge in the soil so that it can be utilized by plants. In addition, the CHCCW can also absorb cations (pollutants). Chemical characteristics from the analysis results prove the ability of the CHCCW. Chicken litter waste has chemical characteristics that have the potential as a biosorbent and are valid as fertilizer, which has a proximate composition (moisture 4.26%; volatile matter 74.20%; ash 6.78% and fixed carbon 14.76%); pH (pH H2O 8.37 and pH PZC 7.37); electrical conductivity (EC) &gt;2 dS m-1 and cation exchange capacity (CEC) 182.67 Cmol(+)kg-1. The nutrient composition of chicken manure waste in closed-house systems has macro nutrients (6.88% C; 0.06% N; 5.89% P; 34.89% K; 36.28% Ca; 5.76% S) and micronutrients (2.49% Fe; 1.39% Mn; 1.22% Zn; 1.01% Cu; and 5.15% Cl). Chicken manure waste in closed-house systems also has functional groups such as O-H, N-H, C-H, C-OH, C=C, C=O, C-O-C, Si-O, and O-CH3, which play an active role in the absorption of pollutants and nutrients in the soil.

The morphophysiological and yield characteristics of biquinho amarelo pepper in response to bovine rumen residue and chicken litter in soil are dose dependent

In response to the growing demand for environmentally sustainable agricultural practices that enhance production efficiency, this study aimed to determine the optimal application rates of bovine rumen content (CBR) and chicken litter (CCL) as organic composts. Conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment, the research assessed the effects of various doses of these composts on soil chemical and microbiological properties and on the growth and productivity of yellow biquinho pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). The results of this study confirm that organic composts improve soil health and increase the growth and productivity of yellow biquinho pepper. However, while CBR consistently enhances plant growth across a range of doses, CCL shows a dose-dependent response, with the highest fruit production achieved at an application rate of 73.92 Mg ha−1. Although this dose of CCL is beneficial for increasing yield, it also marks a threshold beyond which further increases may lead to negative effects such as nutrient saturation or salt accumulation, potentially resulting in soil toxicity. The study supports the use of CBR and CCL as effective soil conditioners and emphasizes the need to identify the optimal compost dose to efficiently harness the benefits of organic composts in sustainable agricultural practices.

Impact of adding zeolite to broilers' diet and litter on growth, blood parameters, immunity, and ammonia emission

This work was designed to assess the impact of varying zeolite concentrations in diet and litter to enhance broiler's growth performance, immunity, and litter quality. A complete random arrangement was used for distributing 525 unsexed "Cobb 500" broiler chicks into seven treatments (75 chick / treatment), each treatment divided into 3 replicates (25 chicks / replicate). The 1st group (control one) received the recommended basal diet. Zeolite has been introduced to the basal diet (ZD) of the second, third, and fourth groups at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 g/kg, respectively. The 5th, 6th and 7th groups used zeolite mixed with litter (ZL) at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kg/m2 of litter, respectively. Due to the obtained results, adding zeolite with levels 15 g/kg of diet and 1.5 kg/1 m2 of litter, a significant improvement occurred in live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF). Also, transaminase enzymes (ALT and AST), creatinine, white blood cells (WBCs) and different Immunoglobulins were significantly increased with different zeolite levels, except urea concentrations which showed reduced due to different zeolite treatments. In addition, spleen relative weight hasn't been affected by zeolite treatments, even though thymus and bursa relative weights had been affected significantly. Moreover, the antibodies' production to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Avian influenza virus (AIV) had increased significantly with adding zeolite with levels 10 g/kg of diet and 1.5 kg/1m2 of litter. Litter quality traits (NH3 concentration, pH values, and Moisture content) were improved with zeolite addition. So, zeolite could be employed in both feed and litter of broilers to maximize their production, immunity and improve farm's climate.

Qualities and Quantities of Poultry Litter Biochar Characterization and Investigation

Excessive land application of poultry litter (PL) may lead to surface runoff of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which cause eutrophication, fish death, and water pollution that ultimately have negative effects on humans and animals. Increases in poultry production in the Delmarva Peninsula underscore the need for more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable disposal technologies for processing PL instead of direct land application. The pyrolysis conversion process can potentially produce nutrient-rich poultry litter biochar (PLB), while the pyrolysis process can change the N and P to a more stable component, thus reducing its runoff. Pyrolysis also kills off any microorganisms that would otherwise trigger negative environmental health effects. This study is to apply an integrated method and investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature (300 °C, 500 °C), poultry litter source (different feedstock composition), and bedding material mixture (10% pine shavings) on PLB qualities and quantities. Proximate and ultimate analysis showed PL sources and bedding material addition influenced the physicochemical properties of feedstock. The SEM and BET surface results indicate that pyrolysis temperature had a significant effect on changing the PLB morphology and structure, as well as the pH value (7.78 at 300 °C vs. 8.78 at 500 °C), extractable phosphorus (P) (18.73 ppm at 300 °C vs. 11.72 ppm at 500 °C), sulfur (S) (363 ppm at 300 °C vs. 344 ppm at 500 °C), and production yield of PLBs (47.65% at 300 °C vs. 60.62% at 500 °C). The results further suggest that adding a bedding material mixture (10% pine shavings) to PLs improved qualities by reducing the content of extractable P and S, as well as pH values of PLBs. This study also found the increment in both the pore volume and the area of Bethel Farm was higher than that of Sun Farm. Characterization and investigation of qualities and quantities of PLB using the integrated framework suggest that PL from Bethel Farm could produce better-quality PLB at a higher pyrolysis temperature and bedding material mixture to control N and P runoff problems.

The Association between Broiler Litter Microbiota and the Supplementation of Bacillus Probiotics in a Leaky Gut Model.

Probiotics provided from hatch have a major influence on microbiota development, and together with environmental and bedding microbiota, shape the microbial community of the litter. We investigated the influence of probiotic supplementation and a leaky gut challenge induced using dexamethasone (DEX) on the litter microbial community and litter parameters. The probiotic product was a mix of three Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains. The litter microbiota were compared to the microbial communities from other gut sections. The litter samples had higher microbial diversity compared to the caecum, gizzard, jejunum, and jejunal mucosa. The high similarity between the litter phylum-level microbiota and gizzard microbiota detected in our study could be a consequence of ingested feed and litter passing through the gizzard. Moreover, the litter microbial community is fundamentally distinct from the intestinal microbiota, as evidenced by the number of genera present in the litter but absent from all the intestinal sections and vice versa. Furthermore, LEfSe analysis identified distinct microbial taxa across different groups, with specific genera associated with different treatments. In terms of litter quality, the birds in the DEX groups had a significantly higher moisture content, indicating successful leaky gut challenge, while probiotic supplementation did not significantly affect the moisture levels. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the distinct microbiota characteristics of litter.

Amelioration of the Detrimental Effects of Water Deficit Stress on Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) Through the Utilization of Poultry Litter-Based Compost

It is critical that Bangladesh faces water scarcity during the dry season, affecting lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) yield and some yield components during seedling and flowering stages. Thus, a two-factorial pot experiments (The experiment comprises Factor A: three fertilization levels i.e. F1 = Control [inorganic], F2 = poultry litter-based compost [20 ton/ha], F3 = poultry litter-based compost [30 ton/ha]; Factor B: two irrigation levels such as W1 = 100% field capacity [FC] and W2 = 70% FC) were designed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, from November 2018 to April 2019. And it was investigated how the poultry litter-based composts affected the morpho-physiology, yield and yield components of the lentil (BARI Masur-4) variety under different irrigation stress levels. Obtained results revealed that the tallest plant (30.7 cm at 75 DAS) and maximum branch number per plant (14.1 at 65 DAS), leaf chlorophyll a (0.30 mg/g), highest RLWC (70.28%), lowest proline content (1.57 µ moles g-1 FW), maximum number of pods per plant (39.4 at 75 DAS) and total grain yield (3.62 kg/m2) were recorded from compost F3 (poultry litter-based compost 30 tons/ha) with W1 (100% FC). Results also showed that the yield contributing attributes and yield of lentils were drastically reduced by water stress conditions with different rates of fertilization. In drought conditions (W2 = 70% FC), F3 (30 ton/ha poultry litter-based compost) fertilization produced the highest plant height (30.20 cm at 75 DAS), number of branches (11.5 at 65 DAS), stem dry weight (0.35 g), lowest proline (3.88 µ moles g-1 FW), highest pod number per plant (33.1), weight of 100-seed (2.36 g), total grain weight (2.77 kg/m2), harvest index (58.84%) compared to other fertilizations (F1 and F2). In summary, F3 (30 tons), a compost made from poultry litter, provides better soil conditions under drought conditions compared to F1 and F2 in the year of 2018-19 at the 0 and 20 tons/ha, respectively under the field conditions.

Enhancing biodegradation of vegetable oil-contaminated soil with soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter in microcosm systems.

Industrial activities contribute to environmental pollution, particularly through unregulated effluent discharges, causing adverse effects on ecosystems. Vegetable oils, as insoluble substances, exacerbate this pollution, forming impermeable films and affecting the oxygen transfer, leading to serious habitat disruption. Organic wastes, such as soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, were assessed for their efficacy in enhancing the degradation of vegetable oil in contaminated soil. For this purpose, contaminated soil was amended with each of the wastes (10% w/w) using microcosm systems, which were monitored physico-chemically, microbiologically and toxicologically. Results indicate that the wastes promoted significant oil degradation, achieving 83.1, 90.7, and 86.2% removal for soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, respectively, within a 90-day period. Additionally, they positively influenced soil microbial activity, as evidenced by increased levels of culturable microorganisms and hydrolytic microbial activity. While bioassays indicated no phytotoxicity in most cases, soybean texturized waste exhibited inhibitory effects on seed germination and root elongation of Lactuca sativa. This study significantly enhances our comprehension of remediation techniques for sites tainted with vegetable oils, highlighting the critical role of organic waste as eco-friendly agents in soil restoration. Emphasizing the practical implications of these findings is imperative to underscore the relevance and urgency of addressing vegetable oil contamination in soil. Moving forward, tailored strategies considering both contaminant characteristics and soil ecosystem traits are vital for ensuring effective and sustainable soil remediation.

Multidrug-resistant Enterococcus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates from poultry farms and nearby wells in Ibadan, Nigeria and their resistant genes

Objective: To determine the antibiotic resistance patterns and resistance genes in enterococci and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolated from poultry farms and nearby wells in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: Poultry litter and well water samples were collected from three farms. Isolation of bacterial isolates were done using bile esculin azide agar and presumptive identification was done using conventional methods and confirmed by 16S rRNA using PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was by disk diffusion method, while antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) was detected by PCR. Results: Of the 86 Gram-positive cocci isolated, 71 (82.6%) were CoNS comprising Staphylococcus (S.) sciuri (69.0%) and S. xylosus (31.0%), while the remaining 15 (17.4%) were Enterococcus spp. comprising Enterococcus (E.) faecalis (60.0%) and E. faecium (40.0%). Antibiotics resistance of the isolates showed that 91.5% (CoNS) and 93.0% (enterococci) were resistant to penicillin, 90.1% and 86.7% to tetracycline and 94.4% and 66.7% to erythromycin, respectively. Also, all the 15 (100%) Enterococcus spp. and 68 (95.8%) CoNS were multidrug resistant. The ARGs detected in the CoNS include: tetM (45.4%), tetL (9.0%) and ermB (27.3%), while tetM (9.1%), tetL (4.5%) and ermB (4.5%) were found in Enterococcus spp. Conclusions: This study revealed that poultry litters in the study area are pools of antimicrobial resistant enterococci and CoNS, as well as, the corresponding ARGs. Therefore, necessary monitoring and ample treatment of poultry waste should be done before their release into the environment.

Unveiling the traits of antibiotic resistance and virulence in Escherichia coli obtained from poultry waste.

Antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) have become significant concerns, contributing to adverse environmental effects. The extensive use of antibiotics in poultry farming has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant APEC strains. This study prioritizes the molecular screening of APEC to uncover their antibiotic resistance and virulence attributes, with specific attention to their environmental impact. To address the imperative of understanding APEC pathogenesis, our study analyzed 50 poultry waste samples including 10 poultry litter, 15 fecal matter, 15 wastewater, and 10 anatomical waste samples. For the presence of virulence genes, 35 Escherichia coli isolates were subjected to molecular characterization. Amongst these, 27 were APEC strains demonstrating the presence of at least four virulence genes each. Notably, virulence genes such as fimH, ompA, ybjX, waaL, cvaC, hlyF, iss, ompT, and iroN were observed among all the E. coli isolates. Furthermore, eleven of the APEC strains exhibited resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, sulphonamides, and fluoroquinolones.These findings highlight the role of APEC as a potential source of environmental pollution serving as a reservoir for virulence and resistance genes. Understanding the dynamics of antibiotic resistance and virulence in APEC is essential due to its potential threat to broiler chickens and the broader population through the food chain, intensifying concerns related to environmental pollution. Recognizing the ecological impact of APEC is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate environmental pollution and safeguard the health of ecosystems and human populations.

Determination of biotechnological potential of poultry litter isolated bacteria

Poultry litter is composed of residues from industrial wood processing, serving as a bed for the animals. It has also been widely used as an agricultural biofertilizer, increasing its economic importance. Few studies report the microbiological composition of this material or its biotechnological potential, which was the objective of this study. The microbiological composition was obtained by 16sRNA genetic characterization, as well as, phosphate solubilization capacity, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, fungal antagonism, and enzymatic capacity. As a result, 67 isolates were obtained, of which 30 were taxonomically positioned and 27 were biochemically characterized. The microbiota genera consisted of Staphylococcus (17%), Brevibacillus (27%), Bacillus (37%), Mammaliicoccus (7%), Isoptericola, Microbacterium, and Oxalicibacterium (3.5% each). None of the isolates presented phosphate solubilization capacity. Regarding IAA production, UFPRCA19 showed the highest IAA content (16.60 µg.mg-1 protein). Eleven isolates were positive for antagonism with Aspergillus spp. and 25 for Trichoderma spp. Activity of proteases, caseinases, lipases, amylases, and cellulases were observed with the relative frequencies of 59%, 29%, 11%, 32%, 18%, and 21%. IAA and enzyme-producing bacteria as well as fungal antagonism were found among the isolates. Among all the isolated genera, Bacillus for synthesizing IAA and commercial enzymes becomes an interesting source for biotechnological purposes.

Microarthropods improve oat nutritional quality and mediate fertilizer effects on soil biological activity

AbstractSoil biological processes are important drivers of crop productivity in agroecosystems. Soil microarthropods play key roles in nutrient cycling and plant nutrient acquisition, though little is known about how these effects manifest in crop production under different organic fertilizer amendments. We explored the interactive effects of microarthropods and fertilizers on crop productivity in two greenhouse experiments: experiment one involved a single Collembola species, and experiment two involved diverse microarthropod communities. Oats were grown as a model crop in both experiments under one of three initial fauna abundance levels (none, low, and high). In both experiments, four organic fertilization treatments were compared: alfalfa green manure, Kreher's Poultry Litter Compost, Chilean nitrate, and a nonamended control. Oat growth and development were evaluated weekly. During each experiment, 48 pots were selected randomly for destructive harvest at two separate times to mimic forage and grain harvest stages. At each harvest, multiple soil metrics (microarthropods, microbial biomass, microbial enzymes, and soil carbon and nitrogen) and plant metrics (biomass, reproduction, and tissue carbon and nitrogen content) were evaluated. Our findings indicated that microarthropods, both single species and diverse communities, stimulated nitrogen cycling and enhanced crop nutrient status. As microarthropod abundance and diversity increased, microarthropods exerted more effects on soil microbial activity. The effects of the microarthropods enhance the breakdown of fertilizers, ultimately making fertilizer choice less important for soil processes and plant nutrient availability. Our findings suggest that microarthropods drove oat production yields primarily through their effects on soil biological processes.