Cow Compost Research Articles

Growth Response Of Mustard Green (Brassica juncea L.) Because Of Giving Cow Compost And Mikoriza Fertilizer Dosages

Mustard green (Brassica juncea L.) is leafy vegetable with subtropical climate, but this plant is able to adapt well on tropical climate that it suitable to be planted and growth in Indonesia. Formulation of problem in this study is to lessen the use of chemistry fertilizer in fertilization on plant especially mustard green (Brassica juncea L.). This study is aimed to review growth response of mustard green (Brassica juncea L.) because giving dosage of cow compost and mikoriza fertilizer dosages. This study used randomized block design (RAK) arranged in split plot with 2 factors. The first factor as main block of cow compost dosage consists of three level, they are 2,5 ton/ha, 5 ton/ha and 10 ton/ha. The second factor is offspring block, it is mikoriza dosage that consists of three levels, they are 1 tablet/plant, 2 tablets/plant and 3 tablet/plant for each is repeated 3 times. Observed variables are plant height, the number of leaves, leaf wide, fresh weight and dried weight of plant, fresh and dried weight, fresh and dried ratio of root weight and dried crown weight. The result of this study shows that there is no interaction between giving cow compost and mikoriza dosage toward mustard green height, fresh weight and dried weight, fresh and dried ratio of root weight and dried crown weight, but separately dosing cow manure 2.5 ton/ha can increase broad leaf mustard plants at 2 weeks after planting and dosage as well as mikoriza 1 tablet/plants and 2 tablets/plant has been able to increase leaf area from age 2 weeks after planting.

Application of Cow Compost and Sago from Charcoal on The Growth of Sawy (Brassica juncea L.)

This study aims to examine the effect of the combined treatment of sago midrib charcoal planting media with different dose levels of cowshed compost on the growth of mustard plants. The study was conducted in Mandala Village, Merauke Regency from February 2022 to March 2022 using a factorial Randomized Block Design with 12 treatment combinations and 4 replicates, namely: A1B1 (soil without cow manure compost), A1B2 (soil + 5 tons of cow manure compost/ ha) A1B3 (soil + cowshed compost 10 tons/ha), A1B4 (soil + cowshed compost 15 tons/ha), A2B1 (soil + sago midrib charcoal without cowshed compost), A2B2 (soil + sago charcoal + compost cowshed 5 tons/ha), A2B3 (soil + charcoal from sago fronds + compost from cowshed 10 tons/ha), A2B4 (soil + charcoal from sago leaves + compost from cowshed 15 tons; ha), A3B1 (sago midrib charcoal without compost cattle), A3B2 (charcoal + 5 ton/ha cowshed compost), A3B3 (sago frond charcoal + 10 ton/ha cowshed compost), A3B4 (sago frond charcoal + 15 ton/ha cowshed compost). The results showed that the combination of the treatment of planting media and cowshed compost had a significant and very significant effect on the A1B4 treatment (soil medium + 15 ton/ha cowshed compost dose) on parameters of plant height (39.75 cm), leaf length at 40 Hst (226.25 mm) and total harvested weight (72 grams). Furthermore, the A2B3 treatment combination (soil medium + sago frond charcoal + 10 tons/ha cowshed compost) showed significantly different yields on the number of leaves parameter (9.75) and the A2B4 treatment (soil medium + sago palm charcoal + 15 cowshed compost) ton/ha) on leaf width parameter (122.75 mm).

Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to combined application of organic compost along with plant growth promoting Aspergillus fungi

Bio-organic fertilizers can improve soil health and maintain microbial activity. The application of Aspergillus spp. can degrade organic matter, promote plant growth, and improve soil health by accelerating soil nutrients and biological activity. Previously, Aspergillus spp. has shown potential in phosphate solubilization and siderophore production. Still, a study gap remains, and focus has been placed on clarifying the impact of Aspergillus sp. AS2022 on soil microbial biomass and soil nutrient acceleration. For this purpose, a pot experiment was established with four different treatments: cow compost (CC), cow compost + AS2022 (CA), AS2022 (AS) strain only and control-only soil (CK). The amount of cow compost used was 180 mg N kg-1. Results revealed that inoculation of AS2022 with cow compost stimulated nitrogen mineralization and enhanced available nitrogen and accelerated the soil enzyme activities, which proposed that it could contribute to wheat crop production through the initial and later phases of plant growth. Although a single application of AS2022 enhances plant growth compared to the control, it might be the release of secondary metabolites. However, our short-term findings showed that the combined application of beneficial fungal strain AS2022 along cow compost was suitable culture for wheat crop production and improvement of soil quality through organic matter degradation and accelerating soil nutrients.

Bioconversion of Floral Waste into Biocompost by using Microbial Consortium from Cow Dung

In the majority of the developing nations like India, the flower waste age happens to a great extent during capacities, loves, services, celebrations, and so on. Debasement of floral waste is an extremely sluggish interaction. Flower squander debasement likewise expands the interest for agro-based items. In India, a large amount of flowers are offered to sacred places, and many flowers are wasted. Abandoned sanctuaries are carried into the sea or dumped in accessible locations in the country, causing extreme environmental pollution and health hazards. Thus the current study was embraced to foster an effective microbial consortium from cow manure for degradation of blossom squander. Cow compost harbors a different gathering of microorganisms that might be useful to people because of their capacity to deliver a scope of metabolites. This assists with corrupting profoundly complex natural mixtures and converts it into straight forward stable final result Bio-Compost. Therefore, in the current work rather than individual disengages an endeavor is made to foster microbial consortium from cow dung for debasement of floral waste. Also in this research microbial consortia developed from cow dung which is very effective for degradation of floral waste within 45 days and helps to produce effective biocompost speedily from floral waste and this biocompost are much better than commercial available biocompost and chemical fertilizer.

Pengaruh Macam Bahan dan Konsentrasi Compost Tea terhadap Pertumbuhan Bibit Kelapa Sawit di Pre Nursery

Abstract— This study aims to determine the effect of the application of various materials and the concentration of compost tea on the growth of oil palm seedlings in the pre-nursery. This research was conducted in Pasar Lembu Village, Air Joman District, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra Province. The study was conducted from March to May 2021. This study used a factorial experimental method arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of two factors, namely the various of compost tea material consisting of 3 levels (kascing, cow compost and goat compost) and the concentration of compost tea consisting of 3 levels, namely chemical fertilizers Urea and NPK (as control), 1:3, 1:5, 1:10. From these two factors, 12 treatment combinations were obtained with each treatment repeated 6 times, so that 72 plant samples were obtained. The research data were analyzed by analysis of variance at the 5% level. Significantly different data will be further tested with DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test) at the 5% test level. Parameters observed in this study were plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, crown fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight and root length. The results showed that there was no significant interaction between the various of material and the concentration of compost tea on the growth of oil palm seedlings in the pre-nursery. The various materials of compost tea gave the same effect on all research parameters, as well as the concentration of compost tea. Giving compost tea concentration of 1:10 is more efficient and has been able to replace chemical fertilisers of oil palm seedlings in the pre nursery.

Application of Compost and Biochar from Cow, Goat, and Chicken Manure to Restore Soil Fertility and Yield of Red Chili

The application of compost and biochar derived from locally produced livestock waste has been shown to provide agricultural and environmental benefits. The study aimed to test the best combination of compost and biochar from various livestock wastes to increase red chili yields and restore soil fertility. A factorial randomized block design was used in this study. The first factor consists of 4 levels of compost, namely without compost, cow compost, goat manure compost, and chicken manure compost. The second factor consists of 4 levels: no biochar, cow biochar, goat manure biochar, and chicken manure biochar. Observations on all soil properties variables obtained a significant effect from the interaction of various types of compost and biochar in the content of sand, dust, clay, pH, fulvic acid, humic acid, N, P, CEC, and base saturation. The application of chicken compost, goat compost, and cow compost gave the highest fresh weight of chilies per ha, each increased by 37.73%, 27.40%, and 20.15% compared to without compost. The application of chicken biochar, goat biochar, and cow biochar produced the highest fresh weight of chili per ha. which increased by 27.04%, 16.18%, and 9.97%, respectively compared without biochar. Increased yield of chilies and restoration of soil fertility due to the interaction between compost and biochar can be proven by finding a significant correlation between the fresh weight of chilies and the total pore space, pH, C-organic, N-total, P-available, K-available, ratio C/N, and base saturation.

Compost and Biochar Characteristics Test of Some Animal Manure Waste

This study aims to determine the quality of compost and biochar from some animal manure in improving soil properties and fruit yields of chili plants. This research was conducted in a greenhouse, with nesting experiments using a random block design. The treatment composition consisted of 6 types of fertilizer (cow compost, goat compost, chicken compost, cow biochar, goat biochar, chicken biochar), and three levels of fertilizer doses (5, 10, and 15 tons ha-1) and one treatment control. The results showed differences in fertilizer types differed significantly for N-total soil and weight of red chili and were significantly different from P-available in the soil. While the difference in compost fertilizer dose has a significant effect on P-available and K-available soil, cow dung compost has the lowest effect on soil properties. The number and weight of fresh red chili per plant, while compost goat manure tends to be highest. Biochar from chicken droppings and doses significantly influenced the total N, the highest available P and the lowest C/N, and the amount and weight of fresh red chili. From this study, it can be concluded that the type of raw material for livestock manure for compost and biochar affects soil properties and red chili production, where compost and biochar from goats and chicken manure are better than cow dung. This research's implication is the type of animal feed ingredients affecting the face of livestock and determining the quality of compost and biochar.

Study of microbial contribution in alkalinity generation during treatment of acid mine drainage by laboratory successive alkalinity producing system

Presently, the acid mine drainage (AMD) is a very common environmental problem being faced by mining communities throughout the world. The AMD generated in the mines is characterized by low pH value which results in further dissolution of minerals and release of toxic metals into the water. The successive alkalinity producing system (SAPS) is a passive treatment system which has evolved to harness the treatment benefits of limestone and wetlands together. In this laboratory study four identically designed SAPS were operated simultaneously with four different types of synthetic AMD for different Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT). The cow compost, sawdust and limestone were used in SAPS. The % contribution of organic substrate in net alkalinity generation due to microbial activities was measured for different HRTs. In this study is observed that organic substrate has contributed 70.96% and limestone layer contributed 29.04% in net alkalinity generation by SAPS.

Effect of Urea and Cow Fecal Compost on Growth and Yield of Green Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a vegetable that grows well in various regions in Indonesia. Its growth is largely determined by the availability of nutrients in agricultural land. Research has been conducted on the effect of urea and cow fecal compost on the growth and yield of green fighting plants. This study aims to determine: (1) the effect of urea application on the growth and yield of green eggplant plants, (2) the effect of cow fecal compost application on the growth and yield of green eggplant plants, (3) the effect of the interaction of urea and cow fecal compost. on the growth and yield of green eggplant plants. This study used a 2-factor design. The first factor is the dose of urea fertilizer and the second factor is the dose of cow fecal compost. Growth parameters were stem height, leaf length, and leaf width, while yield parameters were the wet weight of green eggplant. The research data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The results showed: (1) differences in the dose of cow fecal compost had a significant effect on stem height, leaf length, and fruit wet weight but had no significant effect on leaf width of green eggplant, (2) differences in the dose of urea had a significant effect on the stem, leaf length, and leaf length and fruit wet weight but did not significantly affect leaf width of green eggplant, (3) the interaction between urea fertilizer treatment and cow compost did not significantly affect all growth parameters and yield parameters of green eggplant

Spatial-heterogeneous granulation of organic amendments and chemical fertilizer stimulated N2O emissions from agricultural soil: An microcosm study

The promising application modes of organic fertilizer (OF) and chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer (CF) could be the homogeneous granulation (HG: OF and CF are distributed spatially evenly) and spatial heterogeneous granulation (SG: OF and CF are distributed separately in space), where the N transformation processes, such as the nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, are greatly influenced by the spatial distribution of the OF and CF, particularly. Currently, there is a lack of in-depth understanding about the microbial mechanisms of the SG and HG application on N2O emissions, and the related functional guilds (ammonia oxidizers and heterotrophic denitrifiers) respond to the granular fertilizer is yet not known. In the present study, we made CF (15N-(NH4)2SO4), cow compost and maize straw (2% or 8% based on the N proportion) into granular of 1 cm in diameter, in HG and SG forms, respectively, and then applied these granules in soils for 80 days incubation. Results showed that, compared with HG treatments, the SG treatment promoted the ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) intensities, and increased the N2O emissions possibly through ammonia oxidize bacteria dependent nitrification and fungal denitrification. In addition, the high maize residues proportion in organic fertilizer significantly mitigated N2O emissions by the coupled impacts of suppressed nitrification and enhanced denitrification enzyme activity with high C input. Overall, our results suggest that spatial heterogeneous granulation of and CF may induce higher risk of N2O emissions and the higher proportion of maize residues could potentially mitigate such increased emissions.

Production, morphology and chemical-bromatological characteristics of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu under doses of compost from dairy cows

Confinement of dairy cows in Brazil is significant, with the compost badded pack barn being the most used model, generating a large amount of good quality organic compost that can be used as a fertilizer in the pastures of the farms, reducing the use of industrialized fertilizers and mitigating the environmental impacts of dairy activity. An experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effect of compost doses on the production, morphology and chemical-bromatological characteristics of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu A completely randomized design with 3 replications and 6 treatments consisting of 6 doses of the compost: 0; 50; 10; 20; 40 and 80 g.vaso-1. Increasing compost doses resulted in higher dry matter yield, higher tillers density and higher potassium and phosphorus contents in the forage. Dairy cow compost can be used for pasture fertilization, partially replacing industrialized fertilizers.

Soil phosphorus fractionation in calcareous soil as affected by organic amendments application

<p>Understanding of P transformations following organic amendments addition to highly calcareous soils is necessary for developing better management practices that can help enhance P fertilizer use efficiency. Phosphorus solubility and availability for plant uptake under the conditions of arid calcareous soil is very low, making P nutrient supply a critical issue under these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of various types of organic amendments (chicken compost, cow compost and a mixture of humic-fulvic acid) applied alone at different rates of KH2PO4 fertilizer on P fractions in calcareous soil using the sequential chemical extraction method. Amended calcareous soil was incubated under laboratory conditions and soil samples were collected at 0, 4, 8 and 16 weeks of the incubation periods. Soil was sequentially extracted and analyzed for P different fractions. The results indicated that the addition of chicken and cow compost increased soluble and exchangeable-P and Ca-P fractions in calcareous soil and the increases depend on application rates. The results indicated that combination of chicken and cow compost with different KH2PO4 fertilizer application rates increased the concentration of soluble and exchangeable-P in the soil compared to organic amendments or KH2PO4 fertilizer applied alone. The P associated with Ca was the dominant P fractions in soil, ranging between 51 to 59% regardless of the different treatment and the period of incubations. The Al- and Fe-associated P fractions varied between 2 and 9%, with the maximum value being observed at the eighth week of incubation. The residual-P fraction ranged between 5 and 22% at different incubation periods.</p>

Manure Utilization from Cows, Goats, and Chickens as Compost, Biochar, and Poschar in Increasing the Red Chili Yield

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of biochar, compost, and poschar from livestock manure waste and its effect on the yield of red chili plants. Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nested patterns was used in this study. The treatment composition consisted of 9 types of fertilizer (cow compost, goat compost, chicken compost, beef biochar, goat biochar, chicken biochar, beef poschar, goat poschar, and chicken poschar), and 3 levels of fertilizer doses (5, 10, and 15-ton ha-1) and one control treatment. The results showed that the type of fertilizer treatment did not significantly influence all observed variables, except the maximum plant height and fresh weight of shoot had a very significant effect. While the dose of fertilizer did not have a significant effect on most of the variables observed except for the height of the chili plant, the weight of the fresh stem and leaves, and the weight of the fresh chili harvested. In various types of fertilizer treatments, the maximum plant height obtained in chicken biochar (111.53 cm), which shows a slight difference when it was compared with the lowest plant height of 99.58 cm in biochar goat. The treatment of compost, biochar, and poschar sourced from 15 tons ha-1 chicken manure achieved the highest yields of fresh weight of chili harvested respectively 266.06 g, 270.95 g, and 280.05 g which were significantly increased 39.16%, 41.72%, and 46.48% compared with control (without treatments).

Kompos Cair sebagai Alternatif Pupuk yang Ramah Lingkungan dalam Produksi Padi

<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">The development of cheap and easily applied organic fertilizer technology through extraction of fertilizers into liquid organic fertilizer has become one of the simple and inexpensive technological alternatives. The variety of raw materials for making liquid compost will certainly affect nutrient content and useful microbial content. This study was aimed to examine the effect of compost tea from various compost sources enriched with biological agents to improve the growth and yield of rice plants that are cultivated organically. This study used Randomized Complete Block Design with 10 treatments and repeated three times. The treatments tried included p<sub>0</sub>: control; p<sub>1</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from cow compost; p<sub>2</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from chicken coop compost; p<sub>3</sub>: liquid compost from mushroom waste; p<sub>4</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from cow compost + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pseudomonas flouresence</em>; p<sub>5</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from compost chicken coop + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pseudomonas flouresence</em>; p<sub>6</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from waste mushroom + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pseudomonas flouresence</em>; p<sub>7</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from cow compost + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma harzianum</em>; p<sub>8</sub>: compost tea from chicken coop compost + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma harzianum</em>; p<sub>9</sub>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost from waste of mushroom + <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma harzianum</em>. The variables observed included plant height, number of tillers, leaf greenness, leaf area, LAI, number of productive tillers, panicle length, number of seeds per panicle, percentage of filled grain, and grain yield. The results showed that the application of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>liquid compost enriched with useful microorganisms had not shown its effect in increasing the growth and yield of Sintanur variety in organic cultivation. The highest yield were achieved in the treatment of liquid compost from baglog mushroom enriched with <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma harzianum</em> at 3.06 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>.</span>

Growth Performance and Survival of Common Carp ( Cyprinus Carpio,Linnaeus 1785) Fingerlings Under Different Fertilizers

A fertilizer experiment was conducted outdoor plastic tanks to study the effect of different fertilizers on survival and growth of common carp (Cyprinus carpio. L) fingerlings (0.88 ± 0.09 g) divided into 9 treatment groups of 3 replicates for 60 days, Individual weight gain and survival rates were compared among a control system. Three treatments were manured at every 7 days with cow dung, poultry manure, and compost at 0.26 kg/ m3, 0.39 kg/ m3 and 0.52 kg/ m3 dose. The survival rates were observed in all treatments, ranging from 60 %, 44.43 %, and 22.23% in poultry manure, cow dung, and compost respectively. The nutrients contents in manures were higher in poultry manure and lower in cow dung and compost. Weight gain of common carp stocked in poultry manured system was reported the significantly higher growth (2.06±0.33 g) than other treatments. The highest SGR (1.66%) was recorded in poultry manured system. The lowest SGR was observed in cow dung fertilized system (0.22%) while it was 0.50% in compost system. The results suggest that application rate of 0.52 kg/ m3 at every 7 days seems to be the most suitable for common carp manured with poultry litter, through maintenance of better water quality to enhance the greater abundance of plankton biomass in the system.

PENGARUH JENIS PUPUK ORGANIK DAN UREA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN SELEDRI (Apium graveolus L.)

The objectives of the research were to find out type of organic fertilizer and urea doses to improve the yield of celery. The experiment was arranged using Randomized Block Design with factorial design.The first factor were cow manure, compost and chicken manure and the second factor were urea dosage 240 kg/ha, 270 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha.The results showed that organic fertilizer treatment in the form of chicken manure and urea 300 kg/ha resulted in plant height, leaf number, number of tillers, root volume and wet weight in celery were highst. The highest number of tillers was 6.27 plants and wet weight 14.69 g per plant.

Forcing a crop of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by using heat from the fermentation of cow manure

This research investigated the feasibility of producing witloof chicory with heat from the fermentation of cow manure in the semi-cold and cold seasons. Chicory roots were grown in the experimental farm of Hokkaido University (Sapporo, Japan) and sorted roots were stored in a refrigerator or a snow storage chamber until the start of forcing culture. In the semi-cold season (one test, April to May 2013) and cold season (two tests, March 2014 and 2015), experiments were conducted in Yubari city, Hokkaido, in the indoor experimental facilities. In each experiment, cow's compost which was produced through a solid-liquid separator (water content; approx. 72.6%) was used as the heat source. The heat supply was by circulating antifreeze solution through heat exchangers which were installed between compost containers and forcing chambers. Temperatures of the outside and inside air, compost container, forcing chambers (soil and air) and heat exchangers were recorded. Through all experiments, compost temperature was maintained up to 30°C, and it showed potential to be used as a heat source for the chicory crop. In the semi-cold season, temperatures of forcing chambers (6.3×0.9×0.65 m) were maintained stable, and average air temperature of the forcing chamber reached 17.2°C, and marketable chicons were obtained after 22 days. In the cold season, air temperature of the forcing chamber (3×0.9×0.65 m) was maintained stable (10.6°C in 2014, 14.4°C in 2015), and marketable chicons were obtained after 15 to 19 days. The results indicated that forcing a witloof chicory crop in semi-cold and cold seasons by using heat from the fermentation of cow manure can be possible.

Profit Analysis by Soil Carbon Sequestration with Different Composts and Cooperated with Biochar during Corn (<i>Zea mays</i>) Cultivation Periods in Sandy Loam Soil

Despite the ability of biochar to enhance soil fertility and to sequester soil carbon, its potential reduction of green house gas emissions and profit analysis with different organic composts and cooperated with biochar for crop cultivation have been a few evaluated. This study was conducted to estimate their greenhouse gas emission reduction and profit analysis by soil carbon sequestration with different organic composts and cooperated with biochar application during corn cultivation periods. For the experiment, the treatments were consisted of aerobic digestate of swine wastes (AD), pig compost as the control (PC), cow compost (CC) and pig compost cooperated with 1% biochar (PC + 1% biochar). The soil texture used in this study was sandy loam, and application rates of chemical fertilizer were 190-39-221 kg·ha-1 (N-P2O5-K2O) as recommended amount after soil test. The soil samples were periodically taken at every 15 day intervals during the experimental periods. It was observed that soil carbon sequestration by AD, CC and PC + 1% biochar application was estimated to be 429 kg·ha-1, 2366 kg·ha-1, and 3978 kg·ha-1, and their CO2-e emission reductions were estimated to be 0.16 tones for AD, 0.87 tones for CC, and 14.58 tones for PC + 1% biochar per hectar for corn cultivation periods. Their profits were estimated at $14.58 for lowest and $451.90 for highest. In Korea Climate Exchange, it was estimated to be $115.20 per hectar of corn cultivation with PC + 1% biochar. So, the price of CO2 per hectar for corn cultivation with PC + 1% biochar was high at 16.8 times relative to cow compost treatment only. For the plant growth response, it was observed that plant height and fresh ear yield were not significantly different among the treatments. Therefore, these experimental results might be fundamental data for assuming a carbon trading mechanism exists for biochar soil application in agricultural practices.

Manure Source and Age Affect Survival of Zoonotic Pathogens during Aerobic Composting at Sublethal Temperatures

Heat is the primary mechanism by which aerobic composting inactivates zoonotic bacterial pathogens residing within animal manures, but at sublethal temperatures, the time necessary to hold the compost materials to ensure pathogen inactivation is uncertain. To determine the influence of the type of nitrogen amendment on inactivation of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in compost mixtures stored at sublethal temperatures, specific variables investigated in these studies included the animal source of the manure, the initial carbon/nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the compost mixture, and the age of the manure. Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were both inactivated more rapidly in chicken and swine compost mixtures stored at 20°C when formulated to an initial C:N ratio of 20:1 compared with 40:1, whereas a C:N ratio did not have an effect on inactivation of these pathogens in cow compost mixtures. Pathogen inactivation was related to the elevated pH of the samples that likely arises from ammonia produced by the indigenous microflora in the compost mixtures. Indigenous microbial activity was reduced when compost mixtures were stored at 30°C and drier conditions (<10% moisture level) were prevalent. Furthermore, under these drier conditions, Salmonella persisted to a greater extent than L. monocytogenes, and the desiccation resistance of Salmonella appeared to convey cross-protection to ammonia. Salmonella persisted longer in compost mixtures prepared with aged chicken litter compared with fresh chicken litter, whereas E. coli O157:H7 survived to similar extents in compost mixtures prepared with either fresh or aged cow manure. The different responses observed when different sources of manure were used in compost mixtures reveal that guidelines with times required for pathogen inactivation in compost mixtures stored at sublethal temperatures should be dependent on the source of nitrogen, i.e., type of animal manure, present.

Vermicompost leachate as a supplement to increase tomato fruit quality

Due to low yields, organic agriculture cannot satisfy the global demand for food, although it can provide products of higher nutraceutical quality. The objective of this research was to incorporate vermicompost leachates (VCLs) into an irrigation system during tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Rafaello) cultivation to evaluate their effects on the lycopene, β-carotene, and phenolic content of tomatoes and on the physical and chemical soil variables. To evaluate the effects of VCLs, three types of substrates were used to create VCLs: mushroom waste (MSHW), leaf-cutting ant waste (LCAW), and cow compost (CC). A total of 0.1 L of leachate per plant was added as a supplement to a nutrient solution (NS) and applied once weekly, twice weekly, or every fifteen days to three different treatments for each leachate. All VCLs had a positive effect on the production of lycopene; the best results were obtained by the application of the MSHW (78 mg kg-1 fresh weight). The VCL decreased the presence of ions phytotoxic to plants by 99% and improved the soil structure by increasing the amount of organic matter and the hydraulic conductivity. However, the VCL had no effect on the physiological variables. The results support the use of leachate from CC via fertigation twice a week at a dose of 0.1 L plant-1 because it increases lycopene content by 67%.