Animal Manure Compost Research Articles

Vegetable producers’ perceptions of food safety hazards in the Midwestern USA

The perspectives, practices and potential gaps in knowledge regarding fresh produce safety hazards among Midwestern US vegetable producers were measured using a survey-based confirmatory assessment. Although the majority of vegetable producers considered themselves familiar with national Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and agreed that implementing GAPs could reduce the risk of produce contamination, they were not consistently practicing GAPs. Irrigation and run-off water, worker hygiene, raw and composted animal manure, wildlife droppings, field proximity to livestock or wildlife habitats, plant diseases and insects were acknowledged as important potential sources of pre-harvest microbial contamination of produce, but paradoxically, producers disagreed that contamination most frequently originated on-farm. There was significant variation in producers’ level of agreement with regard to the importance and economic feasibility of various management practices for the prevention of on-farm food contamination. In general, vegetable producers did not declare an immediate need for more information on food safety, but did nevertheless, indicate that they would like more information on the sources of produce contamination, how contamination occurs, and GAPs guidelines. Vegetable producers preferred in-person modes of communication over mass media, fact sheets or electronic modes, with only 17% having a preference for Internet or email based information. These findings aid in the development and delivery of targeted, science-based, farm management guidelines and knowledge translation programs aimed at enhancing the safety of produce on the farm.

Nitrogen Transformation during Pig Manure Composting at Low Temperature

Discharge of animal manure without treatment not only pollutes environment but also influences people health. It also hinders further development of livestock industry. Composting animal manure is one of the solutions to this problem, in which content and morphous of nitrogen play important roles that affect the compost quality. Therefore it has great meaning to study nitrogen transformation during the pig manure composting, especially at low temperature which reduces composting turnover rate. In this study, pig manure was collected as compost material. Maize stover was chosen as attendant agent. Three kinds of microbial agents (A, B, C) were inoculated into the manure to start composting at 6°C. Contrast test was performed without microbial innoculant added. Acid nitrogen and non-acid nitrogen were included in total nitrogen in the composting process. Furthermore, Amide nitrogen, amino acid nitrogen, amino sugar nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and other unknown form acid nitrogen were included in acid nitrogen. Total nitrogen (TN) content decreased rapidly with microbial agents (A, B, C) added during the early 6d of the composting. TN content was the lowest at the stage of high temperature (6-12d) and increased quickly between 12-18d, and it became stable after 18d. Dynamics of acid nitrogen content was the same as that of TN content. Non-acid nitrogen content varied as same as the nitrogen content in contrast test. These indicated that composting microorganisms could not utilize non-acid nitrogen, so the change of TN was due to the variation of acid nitrogen. In the early stage of composting (0-6d), contents of both amide nitrogen and amino sugar nitrogen increased slowly, while contents of amino acid nitrogen and the unknown form nitrogen decreased rapidly. Moreover, ammonium nitrogen content increased quickly. It suggested that amino acid nitrogen and the unknown form nitrogen transformed into ammonium nitrogen. The decrease of acid nitrogen and TN contents were resulted from the evaporation at high temperature. In the stage of high temperature (6-12d), microorganisms grew quickly so that amide nitrogen and amino sugar nitrogen increased rapidly, which were ingredients of microorganisms. Other form nitrogen changed a little. In the stage of maturity (12-18d), contents of amide nitrogen, amino sugar nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen decreased rapidly, while the content of unknown form acid nitrogen increased quickly. Content of amino acid nitrogen grew slowly, which suggested that amide nitrogen and amino sugar nitrogen changed into unknown form acid nitrogen as well as amino acid nitrogen. As temperature decreased, contents of unknown form acid nitrogen and amino acid nitrogen increased slowly, while contents of other form nitrogen decreased after 18d. The amide nitrogen and amino sugar nitrogen contents decreased quickly at the former stage of the composting but slowly later. Content of ammonium nitrogen decreased significantly over the composting process.

Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Rather than Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea were Widely Distributed in Animal Manure Composts from Field-Scale Facilities

The distribution of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in cattle, swine, and chicken manure compost was analyzed. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that a Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis-like sequence dominated in cattle manure compost, while few AOA were detected in other composts. In the case of AOB, Nitrosomonas-like sequences were detected with higher diversity in cattle and swine manure composts. The relative abundance of ammonia oxidizers by real-time PCR revealed that more AOB was present in compost except in one swine manure compost. Our results indicated that AOB rather than AOA are widely distributed in animal manure compost.

Effects of Conditioners on Sulfonamides Degradation during the Aerobic Composting of Animal Manures

Sulfonamides (SAs) is one kind of the most important pharmaceuticals occurring in the environment. As the food additive, an increase application of SAs in the production of livestock and poultry leads to amounts of SAs excreted in manure, resulting in persistent environment pollution. Our research aimed to study the effects of some conditioners(sawdust, rice straw) on SAs degradation during the aerobic composting of animal manure. The experiments were conducted for 10 manure composting treatments as follow: hog manure,10 mg·kg-1 SAs; hog manure+sawdust,10 mg·kg-1 SAs; hog manure+rice straw,10 mg·kg-1 SAs; hog manure,20 mg·kg-1SAs; hog manure+sawdust,20 mg·kg-1 SAs; hog manure+rice straw,20 mg/kg SAs; Chicken manure,10 mg·kg-1 SAs; Chicken manure+sawdust,10mg·kg-1SAs; Chicken manure,20mg·kg-1SAs; Chicken manure+sawdust, 20 mg·kg-1SAs.The degradation of four SAs,sulfamerazine(SM1),sulfachlorpyridazine(SCP), sulfadimoxine(SDM′), Sulfaquinoxaline(SQ) were evaluated. The results showed that over 60% of 4 kinds of SAs were degraded in 35d of aerobic composting. Significant degradation of SM1, SCP, SDM′, SQ were showed in treatments using conditioners than using manure alone. The reduction of 4 kinds of SAs ranged from 62.30 to 100% in all six treatments in aerobic composting, and the highest degraded rates were observed in six hog manure treatments with adding rice straws. It concluded that adding conditioners improved the degradation rate of 4 kinds of SAs during composting, which was considered as a practical and economical option for reducing antibiotic levels in animal manure before field use.

Influência da dose e época de aplicação de um compostado na cultura de cebola biológica

The response of organic onion to the application of increasing rates of composted animal manure (0, 20 and 40 t/ha) and application timing (one month before planting and at planting), combined with a commercial organic fertilizer Monterra (2 t/ha), was evaluated at NW Portugal. At the site, a conventional onion experiment was also carried out, with 150 kg/ha of mineral N. Both crops were evaluated 5 times throughout the growing period to assess plant fresh and dry weights and bulb diameter, firmness, entitled total acidity, pH and nutrient content of the bulbs. The moment of compost application and the organic fertilizer Monterra did not significantly affect crop growth, but yield increased with increasing compost rate, from 19.6 t/ha to 28.9 t/ha and 34.9 t/ha, respectively for 0, 20 and 40 t/ha compost rate. Onion yield with maximum compost rate was near to conventional onion yield (39.3 t/ha). Organic onions compared to conventional ones, had higher values of firmness, total acidity and K content.

Occurrence of estrogen hormones in biosolids, animal manure and mushroom compost

The presence of natural estrogen hormones as trace concentrations in the environment has been reported by many researchers and is of growing concern due to its possible adverse effects on the ecosystem. In this study, municipal biosolids, poultry manure (PM) and cow manure (CM), and spent mushroom compost (SMC) were analyzed for the presence of seven estrogen hormones. 17α-estradiol, 17β-estradiol, 17α-dihydroequilin, and estrone were detected in the sampled biosolids and manures at concentrations ranging from 6 to 462 ng/g of dry solids. 17α-estradiol, 17β-estradiol, and estrone were also detected in SMC at concentrations ranging from 4 to 28 ng/g of dry solids. Desorption experiments were simulated in the laboratory using deionized water (milli-Q), and the aqueous phase was examined for the presence of estrogen hormones to determine their desorption potential. Very low desorption of 0.4% and 0.2% estrogen hormones was observed from municipal biosolids and SMC, respectively. An estimate of total estrogen contribution from different solid waste sources is reported. Animal manures (PM and CM) contribute to a significant load of estrogen hormones in the natural environment.

Microbiology of nitrogen cycle in animal manure compost.

SummaryComposting is the major technology in the treatment of animal manure and is a source of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Although the microbiological processes of both nitrification and denitrification are involved in composting, the key players in these pathways have not been well identified. Recent molecular microbiological methodologies have revealed the presence of dominant Bacillus species in the degradation of organic material or betaproteobacterial ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria on nitrification on the surface, and have also revealed the mechanism of nitrous oxide emission in this complicated process to some extent. Some bacteria, archaea or fungi still would be considered potential key players, and the contribution of some pathways, such as nitrifier denitrification or heterotrophic nitrification, might be involved in composting. This review article discusses these potential microbial players in nitrification–denitrification within the composting pile and highlights the relevant unknowns through recent activities that focus on the nitrogen cycle within the animal manure composting process.

Influence of Compost Recycling and Magnesium Supplement on Physical and Chemical Traits of Animal Manure Compost

ABSTRACT A series of experiments were performed to study the influence of the following parameters on the physical traits and composition of swine manure compost: (1) addition of magnesium (Mg) at a molar ratio of 1.2 with respect to PO 4 , and (2) reutilization of compost containing MgNH 4 PO 4 ·6H 2 O (magnesium ammonium phosphate, MAP). Three independent batch tests were conducted for replication: batch test I-control (C) and Mg added (T), batch test II-C, T and compost recycle (T R1 ), and batch test III-C, T and compost recycle (T R2 ). Magnesium addition and compost reutilization had no adverse effect on the degradation of organic matter. Reuse of the compost, however, had a clear effect on the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents in the final compost. Repeated compost reutilization as a bulking material was resulted in composts rich in N and P. Upon adding the Mg supplement to the composting materials, the ortho-phosphate (OP) to TP ratio decreased due to the MAP crystallization reaction. The decrease in the OP/TP ratio and the increase in the TP content of the compost indicate that water-soluble phosphate is converted into a slow-release phosphate by the formation of crystals during composting. X-ray diffraction analysis of the irregular shaped crystals in the compost indicated that they are MAP crystals and that the crystallization of MAP begins immediately after the addition of the Mg supplement. The Mg addition to composting materials and the reutilization of compost as a bulking material would be a practical means to conserve nutrient content. (

Sicyos angulatus

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Profitability of Cropping Systems Featuring Tillage and Compost

Productivity rather than profitability is often used to compare agronomic systems. The objective of this study was to compare profitability of moldboard plow, chisel plow, and no‐tillage with or without composted animal manure in a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/clover (Trifolium spp.) rotation during three rotation cycles. Corn and soybean grain and seed yield exhibited a tillage × compost amendment interaction. Yield in moldboard and chisel plow with or without compost was similar, but yield in no‐tillage with compost was 8 and 5% greater than without compost for corn and soybean. Wheat yielded 5% higher in moldboard and chisel plow than no‐tillage and 4% higher in compost than no‐compost amendment. Wheat returns were similar among tillage and 7% higher when compost was amended. Corn production with or without compost amendment had similar returns in moldboard plow. Corn in chisel plow with compost had 8% greater returns than the no‐compost treatment. Corn in no‐tillage with compost had 15% greater returns with compost amendment than without. Similar corn returns were generated for all tillage systems if compost was applied. Soybean production using no‐tillage had 9% greater returns than without compost and greater returns than moldboard and chisel plow with or without compost. Summing returns across the three‐crop rotation indicated cycling nutrients through compost application exhibits a functional synergy in no‐tillage and chisel plow but not moldboard plow for these crops, which enhances their profitability.

Isolation of bacteriocin-like substances producing bacteria from finished cattle-manure compost and activity evaluation against some food-borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria

A finished compost sample was examined for bacteriocin-like substance production against five pathogenic bacteria: Salmonella typhimurium EF 85-9, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888, Enterococcus faecalis JCM 8726, Staphylococcus aureus JCM 2151, and Yersinia enterocolitica JCM 7577. At the preliminary detection of bacterial strains exhibiting antimicrobial activity from the compost sample, thirteen strains could be isolated. Screening of the inhibitory activity was done using agar-well diffusion assay and Microtiter plate growth assay. Six bacterial strains from the compost showed an antimicrobial activity against one or more of the tested indicator strains. Four strains (M1-M4) belonged to Shigella species and the other two strains (M5 and M6) belonged to Salmonella species. The antimicrobial activity was sensitive for alpha-chymotrypsin and papain. The antimicrobial substances from M3, M4 and M6 were heat stable when heated for 15 min at 121 degrees C with 100% relative activity. The bacteriocin-like substance produced by strain M2 was partially characterized. It exhibited an inhibitory activity against the tested food-borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, except Enterobacter aerogenes JCM 1235 and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum JCM 1149. It was stable at a wide range of pH (3-11). There was no loss of activity for up to 3 weeks when stored at 4 and -20 degrees C or for up to 2 weeks when stored at 28 and -80 degrees C. This is the first report indicating the presence of bacteriocin-like activity in animal manure compost.

Effect of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Animal Manure Compost Extracts on the Development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici*

Effect of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Animal Manure Compost Extracts on the Development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici*

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Pathogen Inactivation In Cow Manure Compost

During aerobic composting of animal manure, microbial activity within the mixture generates heat and metabolic by-products that inactivate zoonotic pathogens. Although it is recognized that the type and level of microbial activity will vary with the nutrient availability of different compost ingredients, the degree to which these changes could impact pathogen inactivation is of interest. Towards that goal, the purpose of this study was to determine inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in compost laboratory-scale bioreactor systems formulated to different initial carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratios with cow manure, straw, and cottonseed meal. The C:N ratio did not significantly affect the time to inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, Escherichia coli O157:H7 survived for significantly (P < 0.05) longer periods of time in 40:1 C:N systems than in 30:1 or 20:1 systems even though the cumulative heat exposures were statistically similar in the systems. An increase of pH values to 8 to 9 occurred initially for 40:1 C:N systems, whereas the pH of the 20:1 and 30:1 systems initially declined to 5.5 to 6 before increasing to 8 to 9 after 2 days of composting.

Rapid determination of nutrient concentrations in animal manure composts using the wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF)

Rapid determination of nutrient concentrations in animal manure composts using the wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF)

Effect of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Animal Manure Compost Extracts on the Development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

Effect of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Animal Manure Compost Extracts on the Development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

Evaluation of the nutrient metal content in Chinese animal manure compost using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)

This study explored the feasibility of determining the content of several nutrient metals (K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn) in animal manure compost products in China using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Samples of 120 compost products were collected from 22 provinces in China. The spectra were scanned obtained with a FT–NIRS system. For fresh samples, the validation coefficient of determination ( r 2), standard error of prediction (SEP) and the ratio of the standard deviation in the validation set to the standard error of prediction (RPD) were 0.69, 5.08 g/kg and 1.83 for K, 0.46, 17.99 g/kg and 1.33 for Ca, 0.54, 1.73 g/kg and 1.42 for Mg, 0.86, 1.14 g/kg and 2.55 for Fe and 0.65, 62.95 mg/kg and 1.71 for Zn, respectively. For dried samples, the r 2, SEP and RPD were 0.68, 5.68 g/kg and 1.79 for K, 0.78, 15.34 g/kg and 2.12 for Ca, 0.72, 2.07 g/kg and 1.81 for Mg, 0.84, 1.49 g/kg and 2.27 for Fe and 0.57, 86.32 mg/kg and 1.52 for Zn, respectively. The results showed that the NIRS technique is a potential method for predicting nutrient metal content of animal manure compost products. However, further research is needed to improve the prediction precision of calibration models by enlarging the number of samples and using other chemometric methods.

Summer meeting 2007 the problems with fresh produce: an overview

In Fall 2006, four separate outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of fresh produce occurred in the United States. In follow-up investigations, spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes were identified as the vehicles of illness. Epidemiologic investigations subsequently focused on finding the specific growing regions using traceback records. While the areas most likely involved in the outbreaks have been identified, the specific mode of contamination remains unconfirmed. Suspected risk factors in these cases include: proximity of irrigation wells and surface waterways exposed to faeces from cattle and wildlife; exposure in fields to wild animals and their waste materials; and improperly composted animal manure used as fertilizer. Difficulty in deciphering these and other on-farm routes of contamination is due to the sporadic nature of these events. Hence, evidence to support these contamination modes is based largely on experimental studies in the laboratory and field. Still at issue is the relevance of internalization of pathogens, whether this occurs through the roots and plant vascular tissues of vegetables and fruits or through plant surfaces into cracks and crevices. Potential for these events, conditions under which the events occur, and pathogen survival following these events, are questions that still need to be answered. Answers to these questions will ultimately affect the type of interventions needed for application postharvest. Currently, many chemical and biological interventions can reduce surface pathogens and minimize cross-contamination, however, they are largely ineffective on internalized pathogens. In the event internalization is a significant route of contamination in the field, physical interventions (irradiation and high pressure) may be needed to minimize risk. Ultimately, risk assessment studies will be useful tools in developing risk management strategies for the produce industry.

The Influence of Animal Manure Compost Application based on Total Inorganic Phosphate on Rice Yield and Soil Phosphate (Preliminary Report) : First Year Estimation

The Influence of Animal Manure Compost Application based on Total Inorganic Phosphate on Rice Yield and Soil Phosphate (Preliminary Report) : First Year Estimation

Rapid Estimation of the Composition of Animal Manure Compost by near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Composting of animal manure is an effective method of managing organic waste in agriculture and reducing environmental and human health risks. Rapid determination of composition of animal manure compost could facilitate the composting process and improve the quality of compost products. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of analysing the composition of animal manure compost based on a dried and fresh weight basis using near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. A total of 120 animal manure compost samples, collected from 22 provinces in China, were scanned (4000–10,000 cm−1) and NIR calibrations were developed by partial least-square regression. Results showed that for dried and milled animal manure compost samples, the NIR method could accurately predict the contents of volatile solid (VS), total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN). The validation coefficient of determination ( r 2) and the ratio of the standard deviation of the reference data in the validation set to the standard error of prediction ( RPD) were 0.85 (2.60), 0.85 (2.56) and 0.97 (6.95), respectively. For fresh animal manure compost samples, the NIR method could provide accurate predictions of moisture, electriconic conductivity, VS, TOC and TN content with r2 and RPD of 0.98 (7.48), 0.90 (3.10), 0.94 (4.05) 0.91 (3.17), and 0.97 (6.11), respectively. Poorer calibrations were obtained for pH, carbon to nitrogen ratio and total phosphorus using either dry or fresh samples. Overall, the results indicated that NIR analysis could be very useful for the rapid quality evaluation of animal manure compost.