Chicken Manure Compost Research Articles

The effectiveness of the use of organic fertilizers in the link of crop rotation on light gray forest soil of the south of the Volga-Vyatka region

Relevance. The issues of reproduction of fertility of light gray forest soils of the forest-steppe zone and utilization of poultry industry waste as organic fertilizers are interrelated and are very relevant. Methods. The experiments studied the effect of one-time application of various doses (15, 30, 50 t/ha) of chicken manure, chicken manure compost and local organic fertilizers (sapropel and peat) on crop yields, and the aftereffect of fertilizers on the main indicators of soil fertility — amount of humus, nitrate nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The variants of the experiments were investigated sixfold. The Federal State Center of Agrochemical Service "Chuvashsky" was involved in laboratory analyses of soils and crop production. Mеthods of analysis of soil samples and crop production are generally accepted in agrochemical science.Results. Organic fertilizers for three years of research were introduced into the soil only once at the beginning of the experiment in doses of 15, 30 and 50 t/ha, and their effect on the yield and quality of crop production (potato tubers, spring wheat grains and peas) in 2020–2022 was positive. The agrochemical properties of the arable soil layer in the variants with the use of organic fertilizers have significantly improved. The nitrate content in the products in variants with doses of chicken manure and compost of 50 t/ha or more approached the critical level. Local fertilizers (sapropel and peat) at a dose of 30 t/ha, chicken manure and compost at a dose of 15 t/ha are good organic fertilizers with a long aftereffect.

Hazard reduction and persistence of risk of antibiotic resistance during thermophilic composting of animal waste

Animal production contributes substantially to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Thermophilic composting is cost-effective for reducing hazards in animal wastes. However, ARGs can still persist in composts and the mechanism remains largely unclear. In the present study, metagenomics and real-time quantitative PCR were employed to assess the dynamics of ARGs, especially those of high risk to human health, their host species and pathogenicity of the bacterial community during thermophilic composting of chicken manure. The results showed that thermophilic composting was effective at reducing the majority of the spreading risk of antibiotic resistance by 1) eliminating more than half of allARGs that accounted for 80% of the total abundance, 2) reducing the number and abundance of high-risk ARGs significantly, and 3) removing the ARG hosts and the pathogenicity of the bacterial community substantially. The attenuation of ARGs was primarily driven by the bacterial community succession. However, the abundance of some ARGs, especially those associated with plasmids, rebounded during the cooling phase, likely caused by horizontal gene transfer. Our research reveals that minimising the horizontal transfer of plasmid-associated ARGs during the cooling phase of thermophilic composting is crucial for a more effective reduction of the hazards associated with the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Effects of Different Kinds of Excipients on Aerobic Composting of Chicken Manure

Effects of Different Kinds of Excipients on Aerobic Composting of Chicken Manure

Using processed fertilizers or composted poultry manure results in similar yields but contrasting nutrient budgets in organic cabbage production

Certified organic farmers who grow mixed vegetables often rely on composted manure as their primary nutrient source to build soil organic matter and long-term fertility, but this can result in excessive phosphorus inputs relative to processed organic fertilizers. We established a two-year experiment to compare two certified organic fertilizers − 13-0-0 (derived from hydrolyzed feather meal, meat meal, and blood meal) and 10-2-8 (same components as 13-0-0 in addition to bone meal and sulfate of potash) – and composted chicken manure added to provide 112 kg plant-available N ha−1 in organic cabbage production of Northern Florida. Crown diameter was highest with processed fertilizers in both years, whereas SPAD readings were highest with 13-0-0 in 2020. In both years, sap nitrate measured during the growing season was generally higher with processed fertilizers relative to the composted manure treatment. Marketable yield was highest with processed fertilizers for both years and nutrient concentrations at harvest were similar among treatments, except for nitrogen concentrations that were highest with 10-2-8 in 2021. Nutrient export generally followed differences in yields and was comparable for processed fertilizers and composted manure. Using composted manure resulted in large nutrient surpluses, as opposed to smaller surpluses for 10-2-8 and deficits of phosphorus and potassium for 13-0-0. Our results confirm that poultry manure composted directly onsite can result in comparable organic cabbage yields relative to processed fertilizers, although this resulted in important phosphorus surpluses when applied to meet crop N demand.

Combined Application of Inorganic Fertilizer and Chicken Manure Compost Increases Maize Yield through Improved Soil Fertility

Combined Application of Inorganic Fertilizer and Chicken Manure Compost Increases Maize Yield through Improved Soil Fertility

Evaluation of Intercropping System of Sweet Corn (Zea mays-saccharata Sturt) and Vegetable Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) in Integrated Fertilizer Application

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intercropping system of sweet corn and vegetable soybeans on the application of combination different sources organic fertilizer and dosage of NPK fertilizer. The research was carried out from June to August 2022 in the Giwangan Umbulharjo village, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The study was arranged in a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replication. The first factor were the source of organic fertilizer consisting of three sources (cow, chicken manure and municipal compost), the second factor were dosages of NPK consisting of three levels (200, 300 and 400) kg ha-1, so that obtained 27 unit of experimental plots. The observation variable include component of growth, yield and efficiency land. The statistic analysis of data with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significant level of 5% followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a significant 5%. The result showed that the application of combination chicken manure with a dosages 300 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer in the best growth and the highest yield of intercropping sweet corn and vegetable soybeans, and the component efficiency land showed the value of 1.55 Land Equivalent Ratio, 0.92 Competitive Index, 1.59 Crop System Efficiency and 1.07 Relative Yield Total.

Combined remediation effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on immobilization and dissipation of neonicotinoids in soils.

Neonicotinoid (NEO) pesticides have become a potential risk to ecological safety and human health after application. The combined use of biochar and organic fertilizer (OF) is a promising approach to reduce pesticide adverse effects and improve soil fertility in agricultural soils. However, the combined remediation effects of biochar and OF on immobilization and dissipation of NEOs in soils have not previously been systematically investigated. In this study, biochars derived from peanut shell prepared at low/high pyrolysis temperatures (PS400 and PS900) were combined with composted chicken manure (CCM) as an example for OF to remediate contaminated soils toward six typical NEOs, nitenpyram (NIT), thiamethoxam (THIA), clothianidin (CLO), imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), thiacloprid (THI). Results shown that both biochars and CCM were effective in improving soil sorption capacity and immobilization efficiency. The Freundlich affinity parameters (Kf) of NEOs in soils increased 7.2-12.0 times after the combined remediation of biochar and CCM, and the Kf of six NEOs had negative correlation with their lipophilicity (p<0.05), which followed by THI>ACE ≈ IMI>CLO>THIA>NIT. Meanwhile, NEOs-abiotic degradation was accelerated by biochar, CCM and their combined addition by adjusting soil pH and stimulating hydrolysis action. Biotic degradation was dominant in NEOs dissipation processes in amended soils, and the contribution ratios of biotic degradation (CRbio) were in the range of 25.4-99.0%. The combined use of biochar and CCM selectively stimulated the relative abundance of NEOs-degraders, which simplified abiotic degradation of -NO2-containing NEOs (viz., NIT, THIA, CLO, and IMI), but inhibited -C≡N-containing NEOs (viz., ACE and THI). The combined remediation provided a strategy for immobilizing NEOs and facilitating dissipation of -NO2-containing NEOs in soils. The results in this study provide valuable information for policymakers and decision-makers to choose appropriate soil remediation approaches with respect to the NEO types.

Application of Chicken Manure and Organic Compost to Produce Onion (Allium cepa L.) and Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) in Greenhouse

In recent years awareness of the impacts of intensive agriculture on soil quality and its impacts on the environment has increased. This paradigm increased interest in biological products. In this context, the present trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of two organic fertilizers on onion and turnip crop yield grown in greenhouse. We used two kinds of organic fertilizers made in Portugal, a compost and a chicken manure evaluated in two plant species: onion (Allium cepa L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa L.). Both experiments consisted in a completely randomized design, with the same treatments which are: control (zero application), 1 kg/m2 of compost, 2 kg/m2 of compost, 3 kg/m2 of compost, 5 kg/m2 of compost, 2.65 kg/m2 of chicken manure, 5.3 kg/m2 of chicken manure, 10 kg/m2 of chicken manure, 15.9 kg/m2 of chicken manure, 21.2 kg/m2 of chicken manure. For turnip the evaluated traits were plant weight (Pw), plants length (Pl), number of leaves, and for onion were as follows: plant weight, bulb yields, and bulbs diameter. This study concludes that chicken manure in the dose of 2.65 kg/m2 application represents a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, mainly in the current challenging situation of agriculture in the context of climate change.

The Impact of Chicken Manure Biochar on Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Chicken Manure Composting

One way to increase yields in agriculture using organic alternative methods is the introduction of manure-based composts into the soil. However, the use of such composts carries a risk of soil contamination with antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) from the gut and manure of the livestock. The contamination of the composts with heavy metals or antibiotics can increase this risk, while the addition of porous materials, such as biochar, to the composts has the potential to decrease it. This study is devoted to revealing the fate of ARGs in bedding chicken manure composted with the addition of oxytetracycline (OTC), heavy metals, and chicken manure biochar. It was revealed that the additives did not affect the physicochemical parameters of the compost. The bacterial communities in different composting mixtures had similar structures and dynamics. It was revealed that the shifts of the bacterial compositions of the composting mixtures were mainly determined by the duration of the process. However, some minor differences in the OTU (operational taxonomic unit) levels were observed between the variants. The addition of biochar and metals led to 26.7% and 34.5% decreases, respectively, in the number of tet(A) gene copies, while the addition of oxytetracycline led to a 43.7% increase. The number of copies of the int1 gene increased by 45.9% after the addition of oxytetracycline. The correlation between the abundance levels of different bacterial OTU and ARG contents was estimated, and biochar’s impact on those OTUs was analyzed. It was assumed that some OTUs might be carriers of ARGs (such as Natronobacillus, Luteimonas, and Trichococcus), and their abundance in the presence of the biochar decreased due to competitive exclusion by noncarriers (such as Corynebacterium, Clostridia, and Halorhodospira). The use of biochar in composting can be considered a way to reduce the contamination of the final composts with ARGs.

The important role of tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism pathways and core bacterial communities in carbon sequestration during chicken manure composting

As a kind of livestock manure, chicken manure (CM) was rich in organic matter and microorganisms. However, a large amount of foul gas discharged by its random stacking not only threatened the environment, but also caused harm to human health. In view of the serious carbon loss and the unclear action mechanism of microbial community on carbon metabolism during CM composting, the effect of adding regulators on the sequestration of organic carbon was explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the regulation mechanism of adding tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) regulators on the core carbon metabolism pathway during CM composting. The results showed that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malonic acid (MA) slowed down organic carbon degradation, resulting in lower carbon loss rate, which were 64.99% (CK), 62.35% (MA), and 61.26% (ATP) in each treatment. By comparing the abundance and structure of the carbon-related bacterial communities in different treatments, it was found that adding ATP and MA not only reduced the bacterial community abundance, but also tended to be similar in bacterial community composition. Moreover, the microbial specificity related to carbon metabolism pathway was enhanced, while the related gene expression and gene abundance were weakened. The regulation of TCA cycle metabolism pathway was confirmed to be the main way to improve organic carbon content. These findings revealed the positive effects of ATP and MA on carbon fixation from the perspective of gene metabolism.

Aerobic composting of chicken manure with amoxicillin: Alpha diversity is closely related to lipid metabolism, and two-component systems mediating their relationship

Composting is a technology that can use various functional microorganisms to degrade antibiotics. However, antibiotics will cause a coercion for the growth of most microorganisms. Microorganism can survive different environments, thanks to the development of different adaptive responses. Often, two-component systems sense changes in the environment and trigger a cellular response and adaptation. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to explore how the two-component system modulates the corresponding metabolic functions to affect alpha diversity during composting. The results show that amoxicillin increases species diversity, reduces species richness. Lipid metabolism is an important metabolic pathway mediating changes in alpha diversity. Two-component system indirectly affects alpha diversity by regulating lipid metabolism. Firmicutes are important microbial communities mediating changes in alpha diversity This work presents an understanding of the impact of environmental information processing on microbial diversity, during composting.

Pinto bean yield and phosphorus uptake as affected by the application of composted chicken manure and anaerobically digested dairy manure

Pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is considered the most important dry edible bean market class in the US but little is known about its response to organic fertilizers. A two-year field study was conducted in Paterson, WA to assess phosphorus (P) uptake and yield response of two pinto bean cultivars, ‘Buster’ and ‘Stampede’, to application of composted chicken manure and anaerobically digested dairy manure (AD dairy manure) versus mineral P fertilizer (mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP)). Four rates (6, 12, 18 and 24 kg P ha−1 in 2016 and 12, 18, 24 and 48 kg P ha−1 in 2017) of the three P sources were compared to a no-P control. Leaf P concentrations of the two cultivars responded to P fertilizers only when application rate was four times (48 kg P ha−1) the recommended amount. Leaf P concentrations under composted chicken manure and AD dairy manure were comparable to those under MAP. Buster had considerably higher leaf P concentrations during the early vegetative stages than ‘Stampede’, however Stampede translocated similar or higher P levels to the seed at harvest. Phosphorus sources had no significant effect on seed yield. Although, there was no significant bean yield response to the application of P using both organic and inorganic sources, the substantial amount of P that is translocated to bean seeds and its subsequent removal with harvest may necessitate P supplementation using fertilizers to avoid P mining in pinto bean fields.

Impact of Compost Amendments on the Human Gut Microbiota During Gardening

ObjectivesTo measure associations between gardening with three different types of compost amendments and the human gut microbiota composition.MethodsGardeners (n = 25) were provided with one of three types of compost: chicken manure (CM), compost with dairy manure and plant material (DMP), or plant-based compost (P). Stool samples were collected before gardening (T1), after amending soil with compost (T2), and at the peak of garden harvest (T3). Compost and soil samples were also collected. DNA was extracted from the samples, 16S rRNA libraries were made, and libraries were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq. Sequences were processed using mothur, and data were analyzed in R. Kruskal-Wallis with post hoc Dunn test was performed to compare Shannon Alpha diversity. Individual taxa were compared between time points using a negative binomial test. Fast expectation-maximization microbial source tracking (FEAST) analysis was used to determine stool bacteria sources. Proportions were compared by Chi-Square.ResultsAt T2 and T3, gut bacterial communities of participants who used P compost had lower Shannon alpha diversity compared to the gut bacterial communities of participants using the other two compost types, and this was also the trend at T1. In T2 stool, Ruminococcus 1 and Ruminococcus 2 were less abundant in the microbiotas of those using P compost as compared to those using CM or DMP. However, at T1, Ruminococcus 2 was less abundant in the microbiotas of individuals that later used P as well as those that later used CM compared to those who later used DMP. During T2, Prevotella 9 had the highest abundance in the microbiotas of those using P compost. In participants who used CM compost to amend their gardening plots, a larger proportion of the human stool bacteria were sourced from CM compared to soil.ConclusionsSoil exposure through gardening was associated with a small but detectable change in the gardeners’ gut microbiota composition. These results suggest that human interactions with soil through gardening could potentially impact health through alterations to the gut microbiota.Funding SourcesUSDA NIFA AFRI.

Effects of Natural and Home-Made Bio-Inoculants on Containerized Okra Plants (Abelmoschus Esculentus)

The study focused on growing containerized okra plants (Abelmoschus esculentus), one of the most popular vegetables that can be grown in containers, with composted chicken manure, vermicompost, and home-made liquid bio-inoculants such as fish amino acid (FAA), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), and calcium phosphate (CALPHOS). The scope was to determine which of these natural amendments could improve the growth performance of containerized okra plants during the vegetative stage, as well as to reveal the significant difference in the mean height of the containerized okra plants at two-time points, Week 1 and Week 8, as well as the significant difference in the mean growth rate among the three treatments. Composted chicken manure and vermicompost were applied directly to the soil, whereas bio-inoculants were used as a foliar or direct fertilizer application to the leaves. To compare the mean difference between groups, the Paired Samples t-test, and One-way Variance Analysis were used concurrently to compare height differences and weekly growth rates. The experiment revealed that okra fertilized with liquid bio-inoculant outperformed significantly those fertilized with composted chicken manure and vermicompost. Furthermore, the disparity in mean growth rates in containerized okra plants is most likely the result of experimental manipulation rather than random occurrence. The efficacy of vermicompost is related to the nutrient content of substrates, which in this study had a low growth effect on the specific okra plants. Bio-inoculants, on the other hand, have a greater impact on containerized okra plants as a foliar fertilizer.

Effects of Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizer and Compost Chicken Manure on Ammonia (NH3) Volatilization in Winter Wheat System

The volatilization of ammonia is an important nitrogen (N) loss path in agricultural production, which not only results in a loss of economy, but also represents a significant atmospheric pollutant. Volatized ammonia (NH 3 ) from livestock manure and cropping field is associated with ecosystem and public health and can also be an indirect source of greenhouse gases. The rate of ammonia volatilization after application of fertilizers is strongly affected by many factors such as soil properties, temperature as well as the type, application time and mode of nitrogen fertilizers. This work aimed to quantify the losses of N by volatilization of ammonia from synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and composted chicken fertilizer in the volatilization of ammonia (NH 3 ) in winter wheat system by the calibrated Dräger-Tube method. An experiment of four treatments Control (CK), Farmer’s compound fertilizer-NPK (CF), Chicken manure compost (25%) + Urea (75%) (MF) and Chicken manure compost (CM) was conducted, with wheat culture in Baizhai County, Quzhou County, Hebei province, following a delineation of casualized blocks, with three repetitions. The daily variation of the ammonia volatilization flow was not dramatically influenced by the type of fertilizer and its combination, ranging from 0.01 to 0.23 mg N m -2 h -1 in base fertilization and 0.03 to 0.44 mg N m -2 h -1 in topdressing fertilization. The results showed that the cumulative losses of volatilization of NH 3 were significantly affected (P≤ 0.05) by the type of fertilizer and its combination. The cumulative volatilization losses of NH 3 in the treatments CM, CF, MF were 14.30 kg N/ha, 21.58 kg N/ha and 25.79 kg N/ha corresponding to 5.72 %, 8.63%, 10.32 % of the total application rates of N, respectively. Emissions factors of Ammonia were highly variable depending on the type of fertilizer or combination of fertilizer. The results showed that wheat yield has been substantially improved by the application of fertilizers alongside organic fertilizers, with the maximum yield achieved in the combination of synthetic and organic fertilizer of about 10.79 t/ha, whereas the isolated organic and synthetic fertilizer (NPK) was not significantly different at around 10.3 t/ha and 10.4 t/ha respectively. Synthetic and organic fertilizers combined proportions with chemical fertilizers have significantly different performance in the volatilization of ammonia, emissions factors and crop yields. Chicken manure can be applied alone or in combination with 75% chemical nitrogen (urea) to achieve the yield of the similar crop or more as with chemical fertilizer alone, and thus reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilizer and the gaseous loss of nitrogen fertilizer, thus being economically beneficial and environmentally sound. Keywords: Manure; Synthetic fertilizer; Winter wheat; Yield; Ammonia DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-10-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

The functions of potential intermediates and fungal communities involved in the humus formation of different materials at the thermophilic phase

Humus is the final product of humus precursors (HPS) during the humification process, while the associated mechanisms of humus formation have not been clarified. Here, the HPS degradation intermediate and core fungal function for wheat straw and chicken manure compost (SCM), cow dung compost (CD), Chinese traditional medicine residue compost (CTM) and mushroom dreg and chicken manure compost (MCM) was investigated during the thermophilic phase. The results showed SCM and MCM were rich in proteins, lipids, cellulose, low-molecular-weight organic acids, while CD and CTM contained abundant carbohydrates, aliphatic compounds, easily biodegradable aromatic structures, and intermediates from the lignocellulose degradation. In particular, the HPS degrading intermediates including O-alkyl-C and aromatic C compounds were the critical factors, and Scedosporium, Hypsizygus and Remersonia were the core fungal genera for the humification. Furthermore, the potential fungal functional genes involved in carbohydrate and lignin degradation might be the key factors to drive the humification process.

Microplastics pollution in soil increases dramatically with long-term application of organic composts in a wheat–maize rotation

The extensive application of organic fertilizers for agricultural use has been considered as a main source of microplastics (MPs) in soils. However, how long-term organic fertilizer applications affect MPs accumulation in soils is poorly understood. Therefore, MPs were characterized in chicken manure (CM), sludge (SC), and domestic waste (DW) composts applied as organic fertilizers, and effects of long-term compost applications on soil MPs accumulation and vertical distribution were explored in a 13-year wheat–maize cropping rotation field experiment. Microplastics concentrations in CM, SC, and DW composts were 14,720 ± 2,468, 8600 ± 1,428, and 11,640 ± 3565 items kg−1, respectively, and after 13 years of addition, MPs concentrations in soils were 2733 ± 160, 2289 ± 270, and 2462 ± 247 items kg−1, respectively. Microplastics concentrations were significantly higher in soils with composts than in those without. Accumulated MPs in soils derived from long-term compost applications ranged from 3.63 × 109 to 4.99 × 109 items ha−1, which were amounts 3 to 4 times higher than those input by composts, indicating MPs derived from composts can be gradually decomposed into smaller pieces after incorporation into soils under long-term application. The percentage of MPs >1 mm in composts (55.4%) was higher than that in soils with composts (40.7%), and abundance and size decreased with increased soil depth. Shapes and polymer composition were similar between composts and soils with composts. Most MPs were different colored fibers and fragments of polypropylene and polyethylene. To conclude, long-term application of organic composts increases MPs pollution risk in agricultural soils, which needs to be evaluated further.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ УДОБРЕНИЙ ИЗ КУРИНОГО ПОМЕТА ДЛЯ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОЙ ПРОДУКЦИИ

This article explores the possibility and effectiveness of using chicken manure as an organic fertilizer “Soil Improver (UP-1)”, obtained by using the drug “Mephosphon” for growing crops and producing organic products. Under laboratory conditions, experiments on the fermentation of manure were carried out, measurements of the ammonium ion were carried out, and the levels of toxicity of extracts from chicken manure were studied using test objects Ceriodaphnia affinis and Paramecium caudatum, followed by determining the hazard class of chicken manure. Field tests were carried out on soddy-podzolic medium loamy soils of the Pestrechinsky district near the village. Khodyashevo. The total sowing area was 72 ha (1 ha - background, 19 ha - control, 52 ha - experimental field). The background field was without chicken manure, the control field was composted chicken manure, and the experimental field was with UP-1 fertilizer. 130 tons of chicken manure were applied per 1 ha. Organic compost “Soil Improver (UP-1)” was obtained from poultry wastes of OJSC “Agrofirm “Ak Bars – Pestretsy” branch of poultry farm of Pestrechinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. Biometric analysis of the growth and development of winter wheat was carried out from April 29 to June 1, 2021. The stem height of plants in the experimental variant is 14% higher than in the background, and 6.8 - 8.9% higher than in the control variant. According to the average weight of the raw and dry stem, the experimental group has the advantage, while surpassing the control in all periods of the growing season by 0.1-2.9 pieces. and 0.1-1.4 pcs. The obtained experimental data show that the use of organic compost “Soil Improver (UP-1)” as a fertilizer in the cultivation of winter wheat provides a higher yield compared to the background by 56.6%, and compared to the control by 55.5% . At the same time, 146.64 tons of organic winter wheat were obtained

Environmental Life Cycle Assessments of Chicken Manure Compost Using Tobacco Residue, Mushroom Bran, and Biochar as Additives

As an environmental management method, the (life cycle assessment) LCA method can be used to compare the differences between various waste treatment processes in order to provide an environmentally friendly and economically feasible method for waste management. This study focused on the reutilization of typical organic waste to produce organic fertilizer in southwest China and used the life cycle assessment method to evaluate three aerobic chicken manure composting scenarios modified with three additives (biochar, mushroom bran, and tobacco residue) from an environmental and economic perspective. The results show that the total environmental loads of the optimized treatments using mushroom bran and biochar mixed with mushroom bran as additives were reduced by 30.0% and 35.1%, respectively, compared to the control treatment (viz. chicken manure composted with tobacco residue). Compared to the control treatment, the optimized composting treatment modified by mushroom bran with and without biochar improved the profit by 23.9% and 35.4%, respectively. This work reflected that the combined composting mode of chicken manure, tobacco residue, mushroom bran, and biochar is an environmentally friendly and economically feasible composting process, which is more suitable for the resource utilization of the typical organic waste in southwest China.

Indigenous cellulolytic aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial community enhanced the composting of rice straw and chicken manure with biochar addition

Microbial degradation of organic matters is crucial during the composting process. In this study, the enhancement of the composting of rice straw and chicken manure with biochar was evaluated by investigating the indigenous cellulolytic bacterial community structure during the composting process. Compared with control treatment, composting with biochar recorded higher temperature (74 °C), longer thermophilic phase (> 50 °C for 18 days) and reduced carbon (19%) with considerable micro- and macronutrients content. The bacterial community succession showed that composting with biochar was dominated by the cellulolytic Thermobifida and Nocardiopsis genera, which play an important role in lignocellulose degradation. Twenty-three cellulolytic bacterial strains were successfully isolated at different phases of the composting with biochar. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing similarity showed that they were related to Bacilluslicheniformis, Bacillussubtilis,Bacillusaerius, and Bacillushaynesii, which were known as cellulolytic bacteria and generally involved in lignocellulose degradation. Of these isolated bacteria, Bacilluslicheniformis, a facultative anaerobe, was the major bacterial strain isolated and demonstrated higher cellulase activities. The increase in temperature and reduction of carbon during the composting with biochar in this study can thus be attributed to the existence of these cellulolytic bacteria identified.