Manure Research Articles

Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi May Improve Soil Fertility and the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Performance of Batavia Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) Plants

A greenhouse experiment was realized to investigate the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil quality and the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia). For this purpose, six fertilization treatments were applied: (i) inorganic fertilization (I.F.—control, i.e., usual/conventional fertilization), (ii) I.F. + PGPR, (iii) I.F. + PGPR + AMF, (iv) manure (MAN), (v) MAN + PGPR, and (vi) MAN + PGPR + AMF. Soil fertility was influenced by the treatments, and soil respiration (CO2 flux) was significantly increased after applications of PGPR and AMF. Following MAN fertilization in particular, an approximately sixfold higher soil respiration value was recorded following the MAN + PGPR + AMF treatment compared to the control (I.F.). Root, leaf, and total biomass dry weights were significantly affected by the PGPR and AMF applications, mainly following the I.F. treatment. In contrast, K, Mg, and Fe uptake was significantly influenced by PGPR and AMF application following the MAN treatment. The SPAD value, performance index (PI), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were significantly higher in the I.F. + PGPR + AMF-treated plants compared to the control plants. Overall, these data prove the beneficial roles of PGPR and AMF in soil quality and fertility and the nutrient uptake and physiological performance of lettuce plants. However, further clarification is needed in the near future to test the interaction effects between PGPR, AMF, and the type of fertilizer used (organic or inorganic).

Contribution of Livestock Farming to Environmental Pollution in China

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine contribution of livestock farming to environmental pollution in China. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that livestock farming in China significantly contributes to environmental pollution, posing substantial challenges to water, air, and soil quality. Intensive livestock operations, characterized by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), generate large quantities of animal waste containing nutrients and pathogens that contaminate water bodies. Additionally, livestock farming contributes to air pollution through emissions of ammonia and other pollutants, particularly in areas with intensive farming practices. Soil degradation and nutrient imbalance further exacerbate environmental degradation, with higher livestock densities associated with increased soil compaction and nutrient runoff. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Tragedy of the Commons & Ecological Modernization Theory may be used to anchor future studies on contribution of livestock farming to environmental pollution in China. Promote the adoption of sustainable livestock management practices through capacity building, training, and extension services for farmers. Encourage the implementation of integrated farming systems that optimize resource use, minimize waste generation, and enhance environmental resilience. Strengthen regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental standards and promote responsible livestock production. Implement stringent measures to control water pollution from livestock waste, including mandatory wastewater treatment and monitoring programs.

Comparative analysis of kinetic model-fitting methods and selection priority for horse manure pyrolysis

The diverse origins of biomass wastes provide a constraint on the practical application of pyrolysis, as it leads to uncertain chemical reactions, feedstock conversion, and energy consumption. Various model-fit methods are available to identify the decomposition kinetics, however, limited studies have compared the reliability and accuracy of those kinetic models. This work compared five different kinetic models, two based on model-fit methods (Coats–Redfern (CR), Kennedy-Clark (KC) and three based on the application forms of Criado Master Plots (CMP I, CMP II and CMP III). The mass loss data from the pyrolysis of horse manure (HM) through a thermogravimetric analyser was used as a biomass sample for evaluation. Results demonstrated that all five model-fit methods report different kinetics data. Although the model-fit methods (CR and KC) allow a direct determination of kinetic triplets, the accuracy of data is lower. The CMP-II and CMP-III methods (incorporating model-free data in the model-fit methods) showcase multi-step chemical kinetics and better describe the decomposition behavior of HM due to its multi-compositional properties. To obtain kinetic triplets with enhanced accuracy, it is recommended to incorporate model-free data into the model-fit method. Improved precision of the kinetics data is essential for developing experimental parameters and optimizing the process. Future research should include the selection criteria of model-fit methods shown in this study to improve the accuracy of kinetic data.

Towards evaluating the conditional probability of waterborne microbial risks associated with critical rainfall events following land application of animal waste — A focus on Irish pastures

ABSTRACT Modelling surface runoff and infiltration in an agricultural watershed is essential for understanding the nutrient cycle and water quality management. This research evaluates the critical rainfall events causing maximum surface runoff and infiltration. Empirical models such as Soil Conservation Service (SCS) curve number and Explicit Green-Ampt (EGA) were analysed for different soil hydraulic conditions and storm events with specific return periods. The present study forecasted the maximum daily rainfall and intensity as 113.6 mm and 19.9 cm h–1, respectively, considering a 100-year return period storm. The deterministic part of the model calculates the daily maximum surface runoff as 5.51 cm (from the SCS model). The EGA model revealed that the rainfall intensity of 0.143, 0.163, 0.175, 0.179, 0.181, 0.182, and 0.182 cm h−1 (duration of 24 h) was found critical for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 year return period of the storm, respectively in different soil texture classes (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay soils). Exceptions imply for three occasions where the intensity of 0.407 cm h−1 and duration of 18 h produced maximum infiltration for silty clay loam, and intensity of 0.352 and 0.354 cm h−1 with 9 h rainfall (each) produced maximum infiltration for clay. The probabilistic model revealed that a daily storm event probability of 2.74 × 10–5 is associated with a simulated mean runoff depth of 0.69 cm and infiltration of 20.7 cm. Critical rainfall probabilities calculated in this study can be multiplied with the overall microbial/pollutant human health risk assessment framework to calculate conditional probability and better estimate microbial risk through the drinking water pathway. This study is very relevant for the wet climatic condition of Ireland, where most land use is pastures.

The Influence of Different, Long-Term Fertilizations on the Chemical and Spectroscopic Properties of Soil Organic Matter

Currently, revealing soil management strategies that store the maximum atmospheric CO2 in the soil is a major issue. This is best explored by investigating long-term experiments, like the Skierniewice (Poland) field trial, established in 1921 on sandy loam Luvisol. In this trial, the variants analyzed included control (CON), manure (MAN), legumes (LEG), and manure + legumes (MAN + LEG). Soil samples from the A horizon were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), carbon content of humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and humin (HUM), as well as for spectroscopic properties of bulk soil and isolated HUM. Compared to the control, all other treatments caused an increase in TOC, while the application of manure resulted in an increase in the amount of HUM. Legume application caused an increase in UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence emission. Thermochemolysis and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed that HUM was enriched in carbohydrates in almost all pairs of soil and HUM. Compared to the CON, the largest proportion of carbohydrate in HUM was found in MAN + LEG. Different long-term soil management strategies not only altered TOC, but also, surprisingly, the chemical composition of HUM, which is considered to be particularly stable and a long-term sink of atmospheric carbon.

Use Of Natural Dyes From Plants In Coloring Woven Yarns

The use of natural dyes as an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the use of synthetic dyes which have a negative impact on the environment. Natural dyes can be obtained from various natural sources such as plants, animal waste, and minerals, with plants being the most common source. Plant pigments such as anthocyanins, tannins, flavonoids, and chlorophyll provide a variety of colors that can be used for coloring. The natural dyeing process involves four stages: making the dye solution, fabric preparation, dyeing, and fixation. Testing the quality of natural dyes includes color visualization tests, color aging, color differences and fastness to washing. The methodology for writing this article is a literature study, reviewing various related research from 2013 to 2023. The results show that several plants such as Tarum, Coconut, Secang, Noni, Turmeric, and Shallots can produce colors such as dark blue, brownish cream, red , yellow, and brownish orange on fabric. In conclusion, natural dyes not only support environmental sustainability but also offer a safe and low-cost coloring alternative, although there are challenges in the manufacturing and application process of these natural dyes.

Influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on winter hardiness components of columnar apple tree (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.)

Intensive biological technologies of apple-tree cultivation with application of organic and mineral fertilizers form high nitrogen nutrition, thus leading to prolonged growth of fruit plants and reducing their winter hardiness. Columnar apple tree fail to demonstrate high potential for winter hardiness. Therefore, research into regularities and mechanisms behind the influence of nutritional status of columnar apple tree on indicators of plant winter hardiness is considered relevant. The research was aimed at establishing the influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on the components of winter hardiness of columnar apple trees grown on podzolic soil. Materials and methods. The research involved the ‘Triumph’, ‘President’, ‘Ostankino’ columnar apple varieties, as well as organic and mineral fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in 2016–2021 in the agrochemical experiment station of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Moscow region) on podzolic soil of medium-loam particle size distribution. The experimental design included 4 variants: 1) control without fertilizers; 2) N90K90; 3) organic fertilizers 100 t/ha; 4) N90K90 organic fertilizers 100 t/ha. Naa (ammonium saltpeter), KCl mineral fertilizers were applied annually, organic fertilizer (horse manure with sawdust) was applied in 2014. Winter hardiness components and plant samples were analyzed according to generally accepted methods. According to the research into the influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on the components of winter hardiness of columnar apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown on podzolic soil in the conditions of the Moscow region, the fertilizer is found inefficient in terms of providing the optimal level of nitrogen nutrition of columnar apple tree plants, except for ‘Triumph’ variety when getting organic fertilizers at a dose of 100 t/ha. In January, fructose prevailed in the sugars of annual shoots of columnar apple tree plants. The ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties showed a tendency to increase in the content of fructose and glucose as compared with the control when getting organic fertilizers and their combination with mineral fertilizers. The same tendency was observed in the ‘Ostankino’ variety for the content of ascorbic acid in annual shoots, whereas this indicator of the ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties demonstrated the opposite trend. The ascorbic acid content in annual shoots in winter appeared consistent with its content in August shoots and remained independent on the content in leaves in August. With a decrease in temperature to -40 °C (component II of winter hardiness), the ‘Triumph ‘and ‘Ostankino’ varieties suffered reversible damage to the vegetative buds from 0 to 2.0 points, the ‘President’ variety introduced with 100 tons/ha organic fertilizers demonstrated an increase in damage to the vegetative buds to 3.17 points. The greatest damage to reproductive buds in the ‘President’ and ‘Ostankino’ varieties (3.85-3.91 on the control) was observed in component II of winter hardiness. The application of mineral and organic fertilizers increased these damages to complete death of reproductive buds. Injuries to bark, cambium in all variants of the studied varieties did not exceed 2.0 points. Wood appeared more damaged in the ‘Ostankino’ variety (up to 4.03 points in the combined application of N90K90 and 100 t/ha of organic fertilizers) as well as in the Triumph variety (up to 3.80 points in the N90K90 variant). As for component III of winter hardiness, an irreversible damage was noted for reproductive buds of the studied varieties in all variants of the experiment. In terms of component IV of winter hardiness, irreversible changes occurred in reproductive buds to the greatest extent (complete death in the ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties); in the tissue under reproductive buds, to the greatest extent in the ‘President’ variety (3.07 points in the variant of 100 tons/ha of organic fertilizers) and in the ‘Ostankino’ variety (2.76 points in N90K90), at the core, the maximum damage was noted in the N90K90 variant in the ‘Triumph’ (3.22 points) and ‘Ostankino’ (2.76 points) varieties.

Optimization of watermelon waste as a bulking agent for sustainable co-composting of livestock manures using response surface methodology

Global human population growth has resulted in significant intensive agricultural activity, posing substantial challenges to waste management and environmental conservation. Watermelon waste (WW), chicken manure (CM) and horse manure (HM) are among the main contributors to agricultural waste due to their abundant waste production. This study aims to manage the daily production of these wastes by utilizing WW as a bulking agent in the co-composting of CM and HM. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze the effects of four independent factors: HM:CM composition, particle size, composting period, and bulking agent amount. Thirty treatments were developed using central composite design and in-vessel composting reactors were employed to study the relationship between the factors involved and compost physicochemical quality parameters. The results demonstrated significant effects on organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), dry matter, moisture content, bulk density, and pH, while the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) and phosphorus level were not affected. The optimized co-composting conditions obtained from RSM were 75:25 for HM:CM composition (%), 0.5 cm for particle size, 40 days for composting period, and 10% of WW, resulting in a compost with 61% OM, 2.5% N, and 2.5% K. These optimal conditions agreed closely with the predicted values; root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) was less than 0.50, revealing the success of RSM in determining optimal process parameters and developing models for predicting responses. Our study demonstrated that WW as a bulking agent in the co-composting of CM and HM has significantly enhanced the organic matter and nutrient levels of the final compost product.

Development of Small-scale Integrated Hydroponics—Animal Waste Bioreactor (AWB) for Romaine Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longofolia) Production

As improper processing and disposal of animal waste cause negative impacts on the environment, the animal industry sector must shift to more sustainable practices to lessen these effects. Recently, the application of the circular economy concept in agriculture, using animal waste as part of nutrient cycling, has emerged as a sustainable approach. The study aims to develop and test the small-scale integrated hydroponics-animal waste bioreactor (AWB) for romaine lettuce production using chicken manure tea (CMT) derived from dried chicken manure as a primary nutrient source. Three integrated hydroponics-AWB systems, with varying concentrations of CMT at 1,000 ppm, 1,200 ppm, and 1,400 ppm total dissolved solids (maintained within an upper and lower bound of 50 ppm), were constructed, tested, and compared to conventional hydroponics that used a nutrient solution maintained at 1,000 ppm TDS. The test result suggests that the ideal concentration of CMT in the system is 1,000 ppm. Within the optimum manure tea concentration, the small-scale integrated hydroponics-AWB produced romaine lettuce with growth parameters comparable to conventional hydroponics. In addition, increasing the CMT concentration to 1,400 ppm negatively impacts the plant growth parameters of romaine lettuce. The developed small-scale integrated hydroponics-AWB system provides a viable approach for growing lettuce using animal waste as the major source of nutrients. The developed production system could help mitigate the negative environmental effects of improper handling and disposal of animal waste and dependence on chemical-based nutrient solutions in hydroponic crop production.

Esterco bovino e substâncias húmicas estimulam a morfofisiologia e a nutrição em pimentão

ABSTRACT Species of the genus Capsicum, especially peppers, are economically important and widely consumed worldwide. The application of animal waste as organic fertilizer is a simple and cost-effective technique for applying nutrients to the soil. Combining cattle manure with humic substances can stimulate plant metabolism, resulting in increased nutrient absorption and assimilation. Therefore, the objective in this study was to evaluate doses of cattle manure combined with humic substances for stimulating plant metabolism and morphophysiological and nutritional processes in pepper plants. A randomized block design with four replicates was used, in a 4×3 factorial arrangement consisting of four cattle manure doses (8, 18, 28, and 38 Mg ha-1) and three humic substance doses (0, 8, and 12 kg ha-1). Humic substances (12 kg ha-1) enhanced gas exchange, increasing net photosynthesis (34.2%), stomatal conductance (12.7%), instantaneous water use efficiency (15.87%), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (37.37%), and absorbed energy conversion efficiency (23.53%). Cattle manure adequately met the crop’s nutritional requirements, while humic substances increased the number and thickness of plant root hairs. The most effective combination to increase photosynthetic activity in pepper plants was 38 Mg ha-1 of cattle manure combined with 8 kg ha-1 of humic substances. Humic substances stimulated positive morphophysiological responses in organic pepper crops, which resulted in increased production.

Environmental Monitoring of Pig Slurry Ponds Using Geochemical and Geoelectrical Techniques

The efficient management of slurry, which is a by-product rich in nutrients derived from feces, urine, cleaning water, and animal waste that stands out for its high concentration of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is of vital importance, highlighting the importance of slurry management in storage ponds, which. The Murcia–Spain region has an important number of pig farms. Hence, infrastructures dedicated to managing by-products are necessary to prevent environmental pollution and eutrophication of groundwater. The aim of a recent study was to evaluate the relationship between electrical values and geochemical parameters of pig slurry stored in a pond using ERT and geochemical analysis. In addition, the study was designed to monitor the pond to determine the geochemical characteristics of the slurry and to assess the risk of lateral contamination. The study results indicate a noticeable decrease in electrical resistivity values at 0.4 and 1.6 m depth in surveys 1 and 2. The reduction ranges from 50 to 100 percent. This paper presents a new method for monitoring slurry ponds using electrical resistivity tomography. This non-invasive method provides detailed information on the distribution and characteristics of the fluids, as well as a clear picture of the electrical resistivity of the subsurface.

Prevalence of Geohelminths Contamination of Selected Fruits and Vegetables in Maiduguri Metropolis Borno State

Contamination of raw fruits and vegetables with geohelminth eggs or larvae can occur when the produce comes into contact with contaminated soil, water, or fertilizer during growth or post-harvest handling. This research aimed to isolate geohelminths that transmit intestinal parasitic infections to humans from vegetables and fruits in some selected markets in Maiduguri (including Gamboru kasuwa, Monday market, University commercial, and Tashan Bama) Borno state. The selected fruits were Cucums sativus, Solanum lycoperscum, and Solanum melongena. The selected vegetables also were Brassca oleraca, Daucus carota, Allium cepa, Euruca sativa, and Amaranthus viridis. Four (4) samples were collected for each fruit and vegetable from different vendors per location, giving 128 samples. The samples of vegetables and fruits were collected for two weeks to allow different batches of produce to the market. Solanum lycoperscum and Euruca sativa had the highest levels of 70% and 26% soil-helminths contaminations, respectively. The most prevalent geohelminths in vegetables and fruits were A. lumbricoides, with a percentage occurrence of 54.5% in fruits and 59.7% in vegetables. Produce from markets in Gamboru had the highest levels of 63.6% and 53.2% contaminations in fruits and vegetables, respectively. Soil helminths in vegetables and fruits can be prevented or eliminated by effectively removing human and animal waste, using properly treated organic manure/wastewater and effluents as fertilizers for irrigation, thoroughly washing and cooking fruits and vegetables, and training food vendors on food safety practices.

Molecular Identification and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis sp. Isolates from Wild Mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Northern France.

Blastocystis sp. is the most common single-celled eukaryote colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract worldwide. Because of the proven zoonotic potential of this protozoan, sustained research is therefore focused on identifying various reservoirs of transmission to humans, and in particular animal sources. Numerous groups of animals are considered to be such reservoirs due to their handling or consumption. However, some of them, including mollusks, remain underexplored. Therefore, a molecular epidemiological survey conducted in wild mussels was carried out in Northern France (Hauts-de-France region) to evaluate the frequency and subtypes (STs) distribution of Blastocystis sp. in these bivalve mollusks. For this purpose, 100 mussels (Mytilus edulis) were randomly collected in two sampling sites (Wimereux and Dannes) located in the vicinity of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The gills and gastrointestinal tract of each mussel were screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay followed by direct sequencing of positive PCR products and subtyping through phylogenetic analysis. In parallel, sequences of potential representative Blastocystis sp. isolates that were previously obtained from temporal surveys of seawater samples at marine stations offshore of Wimereux were integrated in the present analysis. By taking into account the qPCR results from all mussels, the overall prevalence of the parasite was shown to reach 62.0%. In total, more than 55% of the positive samples presented mixed infections. In the remaining mussel samples with a single sequence, various STs including ST3, ST7, ST14, ST23, ST26 and ST44 were reported with varying frequencies. Such distribution of STs coupled with the absence of a predominant ST specific to these bivalves strongly suggested that mussels might not be natural hosts of Blastocystis sp. and might rather be carriers of parasite isolates from both human and animal (bovid and birds) waste. These data from mussels together with the molecular identification of isolates from marine stations were subsequently discussed along with the local geographical context in order to clarify the circulation of this protozoan in this area. The identification of human and animal STs of Blastocystis sp. in mussels emphasized the active circulation of this protozoan in mollusks and suggested a significant environmental contamination of fecal origin. This study has provided new insights into the host/carrier range and transmission of Blastocystis sp. and emphasized its potential as an effective sentinel species for water quality and environmental contamination.

Enhancing the Fermentation Process in Biogas Production from Animal and Plant Waste Substrates in the Southeastern Region of Bulgaria

Annually, a huge amount of waste from plant biomass and animal manure is produced from agriculture and animal farming. Many studies provide information on the biomethane potential of agricultural and livestock wastes, but only a few studies have investigated the application of the substrates in combination. The objective of the study is to enhance the fermentation process in the digester for biogas production, obtained from animal and plant waste substrates. In four batch processes for three months, the temperatures and the residence time of the substrates in the fermenter were analyzed. Simultaneously, electricity and thermal energy were produced via cogeneration units, which were exported to the public grid and city heating network. The plant substrate is a silage mixture of corn and wheat waste. The animal substrate is a mixture of beef and pig manure. Animal and vegetable waste raw materials are collected and transported to the site, located in the region of southeastern Bulgaria. The total annual consumption of animal and plant waste is 17,971 t/year. The enhancement of the process leads to the production of 1,506,000 Nm3 CH4/a of methane, the generation of which requires 299.63 MWh/a of electricity and 649.09 MWh/a thermal energy.

Recent Advances in Biomass Waste Derived Carbon Materials for Supercapacitors: A Review

As the core component of supercapacitors (SCs), the electrode material plays a decisive role in performance. Among electrode materials, carbon materials are the most widely used due to high porosity and specific surface area (SSA, 1000–3000 m2 g−1). Biomass carbon stands out in carbon materials because of its wide source, low cost, and less pollution. This work reviews the recent advances on carbon materials derived from biomass waste for SCs and explores the effects of different biomass sources including plant, animal, and aquatic organism waste on the performance of biomass waste‐derived carbon materials (BWDCs). Because of its high conductivity (1.25 × 103 ≈ 3 × 105 S m−1), power density (>10 kW kg−1), and extended cycle life (>10 000 cycles), BWDCs are advancing quickly in energy storage. It also discusses different methods and optimization pathways of BWDCs thoroughly. Finally, the challenges and future prospects for BWDCs are summarized. Overall, this critical will help researchers to gain a better understanding of source selection, structural classification, and research strategies for BWDCs, thereby promoting the application of BWDCs in electrochemistry and resource utilization.

Impact of integrated soil fertility management on maize yield, yield gap and income in northern Ghana

This paper analyzes the impact of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) on maize yield, yield gap and net income in northern Ghana using an inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA). In this study, ISFM is restricted to the adoption of crop rotation (CR), inorganic fertilizer (FT), and farmyard manure (MN) either in isolation or in combination. We find a synergy in yield gain (86.52 % increase in yield) and a decrease in yield gap (of 10.22 %) with the adoption of all three technologies as a package (CR+FT+MN). The joint adoption of all three technologies is also associated with a 51.29 % increase in net income from maize production and has a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 3.23.

High carriage of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes by ESBL-producing and fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli recovered from animal waste dumps.

There has been a rise in the consumption of fluoroquinolones in human and veterinary medicine recently. This has contributed to the rising incidence of quinolone resistance in bacteria. This study aimed at the determination of the antibiotic resistance profile of ESBL-producing and fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli (FQEC) isolated from animal waste obtained from the waste dumps of an agricultural farm and their carriage of genes encoding PMQR. Isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli from animal waste samples was done on CHROMagar ESBL, while presumptive isolates were purified, and identified via the detection of uidA gene. Susceptibility to a panel of ten antibiotics was done using the disc diffusion method, and detection of PMQR genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-lb-cr, qepA and oqxAB) was done using monoplex and duplex PCR. Twenty-five ESBL-producing and FQEC were obtained from the cattle (6), piggery (7) and poultry (12) waste dumps of the farm. There was 100% resistance to cefpodoxime, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and penicillin by the isolates. The resistance to the other antibiotics was streptomycin (48%), ceftazidime (24%), while no isolate resisted amoxicillin-clavulanate and imipenem. The frequencies of PMQR genes detected were; qnrA (96%), oqxAB (96%), qnrB (92%), while qnrS was detected in 88% (22) of the isolates. Aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (aac(6')-lb-cr) and quinolone efflux pump (qepA) were each detected in 20 (80%) of the isolates. This study showed that animal wastes disposed indiscriminately into dumps could be a budding 'hotspot' for multidrug resistant, ESBL-producing and fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli carrying multiple genes encoding resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Rotary Drum Composting of Organic School Wastes and Compost Valorization

Inappropriate waste disposal imposes significant health risks in densely populated urban environments and schools, necessitating sustainable waste management. Therefore, a study was carried out at Al-Jazaer School, Kuwait, to evaluate rotary drum composting (RDC) of organic school waste comprising used paper, dry leaves, and vegetable food wastes in a 1:4:20 ratio. Feedstock comprising 42% organic school wastes, 42% horse manure, and 16% sawdust produced mature compost with a C:N ratio of 20.55 on the 43rd day of composting. Distinct mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling, and curing phases were observed during composting. Mature compost recorded a moisture content of 54.3%, pH 8.56, EC of 2.71 mS/cm, total nitrogen of 0.77%, total organic carbon of 18.25%, carbon content of 15.86%, and sulfur content of 0.14%. Soilless growing media comprising peat moss, perlite, and rotary drum compost in three proportions (1:1:1, 1:1:2, and 1:1:3), and peat moss, perlite, and commercial organic compost in a 1:1:3 ratio were evaluated for greenhouse vegetable production. The performance of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus cv. Ramos) raised in the lowest proportion of in-house prepared rotary drum compost (1:1:1 ratio) was comparable with that raised in the highest proportion of commercial compost (1:1:3). The study revealed the potential of RDC for decentralized sustainable waste management at the small-community scale and the suitability of compost from school wastes for soilless culture.

Synthesis and characterization of NaY@ZIF‐8 composite by the ship‐in‐bottle method as a catalyst for esterification and transesterification reactions

AbstractZeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) were composited with NaY zeolite using two different approaches to the ship‐in‐bottle method. The two synthesized nanocatalysts showed that the ZIF‐8 composite with NaY zeolite could stabilize their structure as catalysts in an acidic environment. The NaY@ZIF‐8 nanocomposites that were prepared were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), elemental mapping (MAP), thermogravimetric (TGA), temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3‐TPD), and inductively coupled plasma analyses. The synthesized composites were used as catalysts for the esterification reaction of acetic acid with four different alcohols and the transesterification reaction of animal fats, vegetable oils, and waste oils. The results show that the efficiency of the esterification reactions for the two catalytic composites was 98.5% and 94.3%, respectively, and 78.1% for the transesterification reaction.

Safeguarding ecosystems using innovative approaches to manage animal wastes

Animal wastes (AWs) are excreta or discarded materials associated with animal production industries. It could be in solid, liquid, or gaseous form, such as animal dung or droppings, discarded feed, feathers, fur, decayed bodies of dead animals, blood waste, effluent from animal farms, milk wastes, urine, and fart. Animal wastes are generated in high quantity, even beyond the control of animal farmers, due to the increase in animal production globally. These wastes pollute the ecosystem. They release greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere through anaerobic fermentation which deplete ozone layer. Nitrogen and phosphorus constituents of Aws alter soil texture and pollute water bodies through run-off and direct disposal into water systems. The resultant effects of the pollution include climate change, degradation of soil and burning of crops, death of aquatic biota, release of offensive odour, especially ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and cause diseases of public health concern to human beings and animals. These consequences are due to the emission of harmful gases and compounds and the presence of pathogens in the waste. Animal wastes are potential sources of income and resources, and their environmental consequences could be reduced if farmers could use innovative approaches such as vermicomposting, production of biogas using wastes, membrane filtration, liquid – solid separation, thermal treatment and chemical treatment approaches to manage animal wastes. Government regulation and policies against indiscriminate disposal and application of animal wastes, coupled with the sensitization of people to the benefits and dangers associated with animal waste, could also prevent environmental challenges.