Sheep Manure Research Articles

Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions under conventional, organic, and conservation agriculture

Farm activities contribute to approximately one-third of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Most of the GHG in the atmosphere comes from carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The main objective of this research is to investigate direct and indirect GHG emission in five different agroecosystems, contrasted by tillage agricultural, farm practices (oat and maize-fava and vetch).CO2, N2O y CH4 concentrations were measured using two closed static chambers. Total biomass and production costs were determined. Indirect emissions were calculated from fuel used in producing and packing of synthetic fertilizers and herbicide, and sheep manure mineralization. The results showed that CO2 was the gas that most contributes to GHG emissions followed by the CH4 and NO2. The agrosystem with reduce tillage and synthetic inputs had the highest emissions (979 CO2 eq kg ha−1). Agrosystems using synthetic inputs (conventional and reduce tillage) showed higher indirect emissions (958 and 856 CO2 eq kg ha−1 respectively). Maize in monoculture produced more than the systems with rotation or intercropping. Reduced tillage with intercropping and organic inputs was the most expensive to produce but had the least gas emission per dollar invested and per kilogram of biomass produced while conventional tillage agrosystems with organic or synthetic inputs stored little carbon in the soil, produced less biomass per unit area and presented higher CO2 eq emissions per unit of biomass.

BIOFERTILIZANTES PARA LA PRODUCCIÓN DE MAÍZ EN EL SISTEMA MILPA EN UN LUVISOL DE YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The effect of soil fertility and productivity depletion on the milpa system is, in most cases, compensated with the use of agrochemicals, which can be unsustainable on the long-term. Agroecological practices, such as the use of organic inputs, can contribute to sustainable production. <strong>Objective</strong>: To evaluate the effect of the application of the liquid fermented from native microorganisms (boil NM) and fertilization type (FT), on yield of corn and their components. <strong>Methodology</strong>: The corn var. "Santa Rosa" was established during the spring-summer cycle of 2018 in Xoy, Peto, Yucatan, Mexico. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with an arrangement in split plots; the large plot was the FT with three levels: control (CON), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and sheep manure (SM); the small plot was spraying of boil NM at two levels: 0 mL L<sup>-1</sup> and 100 mL L<sup>-1</sup>. The dependent variables were: grain yield, number of cobs, kernel specific weight, and final height of the plant. The variables were analyzed with procedure PROC GLM statistical software SAS version 2013. <strong>Results</strong>: All variables were statistically similar (P>0.05), except the kernel specific weight in the treatment of NM spraying. Consecuently, the means comparison test was not undertaken. The variable means were: grain yield, 4750 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>; number of cobs 27992 ha<sup>-1</sup>; kernel specific weight, 314.16 mg grano<sup>-1</sup>; and height of the plant, 276.5 cm. The NM spraying increased the kernel weight by 24.5% (P<0.05). <strong>Implications</strong>: Although,the effect of sheep manure on grain yield was similar to that found with chemical fertilizers, it has the advantage that it is available at the farm. In adition, the use of MN increased the weight of kernel. <strong>Conclusion</strong>s: The application of either TF or MN and the interactions between these factors resulted in similar responses on the studied variables, except the effect of MN on the specific weight of the grain. It is suggested to continue the evaluation of the application of MN and TF in the management of the milpa system in several crop cycles to evaluate this organic input in a long term.</p>

Farklı Organik Gübrelerin Ispanakta Bitki Gelişimi, Verim, Kalite Özellikleri ve Element İçerikleri Üzerine Etkileri

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different organic fertilizers on plant growth, yield, quality properties and element contents in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The research was carried out under open field conditions in Bolu province. In the study, Matador spinach variety was used and seven different applications were examined. The applications were as follows: 1) Control, 2) Chicken manure, 3) Turkey manure, 4) Sheep manure, 5) Cattle manure, 6) Vermicompost and 7) Chemical fertilizer. The experiment was established in randomized complete block design with three replications. According to the research findings, significant differences were found among the applications. In general, organic fertilizer applications significantly increased yield, plant height, plant wet weight, plant dry weight, dry matter content, number of marketable leaves, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and selenium contents of the plant in comparison with control and chemical fertilizer. The highest yield was determined in cattle manure application. It was observed that cattle manure increased the yield by 88.08% compared to the control and increased the yield by 41.16% compared to the chemical fertilizer. In organic fertilizer applications, heavy metal contents such as arsenic, chrome, cobalt, and nickel were found to be lower than the control and, aluminum and cadmium contents were found to be lower than chemical fertilizer. As a result, it was determined that organic fertilizers examined in the study have positive effects on plant growth, yield, quality properties and element contents of spinach and organic fertilizers can be used successfully for sustainable agriculture in spinach cultivation.

Yak rumen fluid inoculum increases biogas production from sheep manure substrate

Hydrolytic bacteria are essential for the degradation of lignocellulose to produce biogas and organic fertilizers. In this study, sheep manure was used as substrate, and sheep manure slurry, yak rumen fluid and slurry from a biogas reactor (SBR) were used as inocula in single-stage anaerobic digestion. The SBR and rumen fluid inocula increased biogas production by 23% and 43%, respectively, when compared to solely sheep manure in the single-stage anaerobic digestion. The two-stage anaerobic digestion, with yak rumen fluid as inoculum in the hydrolytic reactor, increased the biogas production by 59, 86, and 58% compared with the control. Microbial analysis of the effluent revealed that yak rumen fluid contained hydrolytic bacteria such as Proteiniphilum, Jeotgalibaca, Fermentimonas, and Atopostipes to enhance the degradation of sheep manure and increase biogas production. It was concluded that yak rumen fluid, rich in hydrolytic bacteria, increases the degradability of sheep manure and improves production of volatile fatt acids and biogas.

Exploring different organic manures in the production of quality basil seedlings.

In recent years, the demand of people for medicinal and aromatic plants has dramatically increased. For this reason, a large number of researches are being conducted to make these plants more quality. In this sense, this study explored the effects of domestic peat, bat guano, chicken and sheep manures, and vermicompost on the growth, quality traits, and nutrient contents of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). For this purpose, an experiment in greenhouse conditions was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments included control (100% Peat/Perlite) and three doses (2%, 4%, 6%) for each of four organic manures. In total, there were 13 treatments. The study showed that there were significant differences among treatments for aesthetic appearance score, height, and fresh and dry weights of plants with the exception of crown width. Control and "94% Peat/Perlite + 6% Bat guano" had the lowest and highest values of all growth and quality traits. Overall, it concluded that "94% Peat/Perlite + 6% Bat guano" should be used in planting basil. Further studies including different organic manures and their combinations are required to obtain better growth and quality traits as well as physiological traits of basil.

Conversion of sheep manure to biochar and its U(VI) removal application: green and sustainable method to overcome manure contamination

Conversion of sheep manure to biochar and its U(VI) removal application: green and sustainable method to overcome manure contamination

Performance of Forage Cactus Intercropped with Arboreal Legumes and Fertilized with Different Manure Sources

The use of agricultural practices such as fertilization and intercropping can improve the production of forage cacti. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of forage cactus intercropped with leguminous trees and fertilized with different sources of manure in the tropical semiarid region of Brazil. The research was carried out at the Agricultural and Livestock Research Enterprise of Pernambuco State during the period from March 2011 to September 2013. The following cultivation systems were used: (i) Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth + forage cactus cv. IPA-Sertania [Opuntia cochenillifera (L.) Mill]; (ii) Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit + forage cactus; and (iii) forage cactus in monoculture. All of these systems were fertilized with different sources of manure (cattle, goat, sheep, and broiler litter). The goat and sheep manure (16.6 and 16.5 Mg DM ha−1 year−1) provided the least production of cactus in the different cropping systems. Cattle manure provided greater production of forage and wood from legumes (1.4 and 4.3 Mg DM ha−1 year−1) and cactus (20.9 Mg DM ha−1 year−1). Gliricidia produced more forage and wood than Leucaena. Total production of the forage cactus-Gliricidia system produced 4.7 and 3.8 Mg DM ha−1 of biomass and wood in two years, respectively. The production and morphological characteristics of the cactus increased at further distance from the trees (3 m), and the opposite effect was observed for the concentrations of N, p, and K. Thus, cropping systems using forage cactus and tree legumes fertilized with manure represent an option for tropical semiarid regions.

Succession of the Bacterial Communities and Functional Characteristics in Sheep Manure Composting.

Simple SummaryThe conversion of livestock manure into organic fertilizer through composting is an effective way to harmlessly and resourcefully utilize manure. The bacterial communities change rapidly during the composting process, and there is a synergistic effect of various bacteria, which realizes the dynamic fermentation of composting. However, the succession of bacterial communities and its relationship with the physicochemical properties of the material during sheep manure composting remain unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the succession and to explore the metabolic functions of bacterial communities during sheep manure composting. The results will help to further improve the sheep manure composting process, improve the quality of compost products, and promote fertilizer utilization of sheep manure.Bacterial community is a key factor affecting aerobic composting, and understanding bacterial community succession is important to revealing the mechanism of organic matter degradation. In this study, the succession and metabolic characteristics of bacterial communities were explored in 45 days composting of sheep manure and wheat straw by using high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools, respectively. Results showed that the alpha diversity of bacterial community significantly decreased in the thermophilic (T2) phase and then recovered gradually in the bio-oxidative (T3) and the maturation (T4) phases. Bacterial communities varied at different stages, but there were 158 genera in common bacterial species. Unclassified_f_Bacillaceae, Oceanobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudogracilibacillus, and Nocardiopsis were identified as keystone bacterial genera. Eleven genera were significantly correlated (p < 0.05), or even extremely significantly correlated (p < 0.001), with the physicochemical factors. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that changes of bacterial community diversity correlated with physicochemical factors. The highest relative abundances were amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism among the metabolic groups in the compost. These results will provide theoretical support for further optimizing sheep manure composting conditions and improving the quality of organic fertilizers.

Effects of organic fertilizers on growth characteristics and fruit quality in Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau

The ecological environment of the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi is fragile and the soil fertility is low. As a result, the yield and quality of Pear-jujube which constitute one of the dominant economic forests in this region, have been severely restricted. At present, the scientific application of fertilizer is important for comprehensively improving the quality of fruit trees, and for devising the optimal management of fruit trees. In particular, the application of organic fertilizers plays an important role in improving soil and improving fruit quality. In this experiment, a field study was conducted to understand the effects of different organic fertilizer applications on physiological growth, photosynthetic characteristics, reproductive growth and nutritional quality of Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau. The results showed that organic fertilizer significantly promoted the physiological growth of Pear-jujube. The Pear-jujube bearing branch and leaf area under the soybean cake fertilizer (SC) treatment were 20.17 cm and 1246 mm2/leaf, respectively, which are increased by 34% and 44.46% compared with the no fertilizer treatment, which was a control check (CK). The total chlorophyll content of fertilization treatment was significantly higher than that of CK (P < 0.05). The maximum of chlorophyll content was 10.90 mg/dm2 under the biogas fertilizer (BM). The content of LAI was in the order BM > conventional fertilizer (CF) > sheep manure (SM) > SC > CK. The changing trend of gap fraction was opposite to that of LAI, and the density of light was consistent with that of LAI. The density of light BM was the largest, reached 38.06 mol/(m2 d), which was 15.13% higher than that of CK. Organic fertilizer significantly improved the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and water use efficiency (WUEp) of Pear-jujube. The WUEp of SC was up to 3.30%. Organic fertilizer significantly promoted the reproductive growth and improved the nutritional quality of Pear-jujube. The yield under the SC was 19,177 kg/hm2, increased by 138.5% compared with that of CK. The fruit water content (FWC), total soluble solids (TSS), solid-acid ratio (TSS/TA), Vc and total flavonoids content improved, and the maxima of FWC, TSS, TSS/TA, Vc and total flavonoids content under the SC treatment were 86.30%, 18.48%, 40.17, 46.18 mg/kg and 14.35 mg/kg, respectively, which were significantly different from those of CK (P < 0.05). Organic fertilization effectively promotes the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau and the effect of the soybean cake fertilizer is the most significant.

The effects on the root and plant development of soybean of organic fertilizer applications

Organic fertilizers increase soil aeration, water and nutrient holding capacity, improve seed germination and encourage the production of thicker roots, increase the yield and quality of the crop. This study was aimed to determine the effects of organic fertilizer (vermicompost, sheep manure, cattle manure, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer as control) applications on the root and plant development of soybean during two growth stages, namely third trifoliate stage (V3) and beginning of flowering of the plants (R1) in the pot condition. The experiment was established with a two-factorial randomized plot design with four replications. The fertilizer applications had a significant effect (p&lt;0.01) on the V3 and R1 growth stages of soybean. The highest plant height (36.78 cm) and root length (41.18 cm) were achieved with vermicompost, and the lowest plant height (21.73 cm) was recorded with inorganic fertilizer. The number of nodules was highest for vermicompost and cattle manure applications (17.16 plant-1 and 16.76 plant-1, respectively), and lowest for poultry manure (0.22 plant-1). In the R1 growth stage, poultry manure produced the highest biological fresh and dry weights, root dry weight at 25.08 g plant-1 and 5.67 g plant-1, 3.99 g plant-1 respectively. As a result, it was demonstrated that vermicompost and poultry manure applications promote strong root and plant development due to high organic matter and phosphorus and can be used successfully without inorganic fertilize application in soybean farming.

Feedstock-dependent abundance of functional genes related to nitrogen transformation controlled nitrogen loss in composting

The objective of this work was to explore how selection of feedstock affects nitrogen cycle genes during composting, which eventually determines the nitrogen loss. Four composting mixes (CM: chicken manure; SM: sheep manure; MM1/3: mixed manure with CM: SM = 1:3 w/w, MM3/1: CM: SM = 3:1 w/w) were investigated. Results showed that adding 25 % and 75 % SM to CM reduced 26.5 % and 57.9 % nitrogen loss, respectively. CM contained more ammonification genes and nrfA gene, while SM had more denitrification genes. Nitrogen fixation genes in CM were slightly higher than that in SM at the initial stage, but they sharply dropped off as the composting entered the high temperature stage. MM1/3 showed significantly reduced ammonification genes than CM, and increased nitrogen fixation and NH4+ assimilation genes. Therefore, adding SM to CM could change the abundance of genes and enzymes related to nitrogen cycle to reduce nitrogen loss.

Formulation of substrates with agricultural and forestry wastes for Camellia oleifera Abel seedling cultivation.

Five Camellia oleifera Abel seedling substrates were prepared using the conventional formula, but with the peat substituted by the composts of Camellia oleifera shell, pine chips, palm fiber residues, chicken manure, and sheep manure. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared substrates before and after seedling cultivation were determined and their effects on the growth of Camellia oleifera seedling were analyzed. It was found that the survival rates of the one-year-old seedlings produced from stem cuttings on all substrates at 6 months were greater than 97.5%. As compared with the conventional substrate, the substrates formulated with the composts were able to promote the seedling growth based upon height, ground diameter, root length and root volume measurement. The substrate prepared with the compost of Camellia oleifera shell+ palm fiber residue+ chicken manure (A3), vermiculite and perlite (6:3:1) was the most optimal, which gave 100% seedling survival rate, the greatest seedling height, and the largest ground diameter. In particular, the ground diameters and 26.67% of the seedling heights reached the grade 1 standard for two-year-old seedlings.

Minimizing phosphorus leaching from a sandy clay loam caused by phosphorus fertilizers.

At moderate to high fertilization rates, sandy-textured soils can leach much phosphorus (P) threatening surface water quality. High rates are used to compensate for P leaching, but there is also potential to reduce P leaching by using different P fertilizers. We examined the effect of poultry manure (PM), sheep manure (SM), triple superphosphate (TSP), sewage sludge of Sanandaj (SSS), sewage sludge of Toyserkan (SST), and biochars of Sanandaj and Toyserkan sewage sludges (BSSS and BSST, respectively) applied at a rate of 100mg P kg-1 (equivalent to 220kg P ha-1yr-1, the current regional practice for capital applications designed to raise and maintain soil P in the region) on P leaching over 10 pore volumes (equivalent to 589mm rainfall) through a sandy clay loam soil widespread in Iran (and the Middle East). Phosphorus leaching losses decreased in the following order: TSP > SM > PM > SST > BSSS > control > SSS > BSST. The leachability of fertilized soil was best estimated by measurement of the mobile KCl-P fraction. At the capital application rate used, SSs or their biochars represented the least risk of P leaching and could be used in place of highly soluble manures or TSP to either protect water quality or maintain more P in the soil. However, this should only occur after confirming that this substitution does not impair agronomic performance.

Effects of Different Organic Fertilizers on Sweet Potato Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Properties in Newly Reclaimed Land

It is well known that soil fertility is poor in most newly reclaimed land, which has been developed as an effective way to compensate farmland occupation. In order to ameliorate the soil quality of the newly reclaimed land, this study investigated the effect of commercial organic fertilizer (COF) (0.45, 0.90, 1.35 and 1.80 kg/m2), sheep manure (SM) (0.45, 0.75, 1.05 and 1.35 kg/m2), mushroom residue (MR) (1.50, 2.25, 3.00 and 3.75 kg/m2), and chemical compound fertilizer (CCF) (0.075 kg/m2) on the growth of sweet potato, soil pH, organic matter content (OMC), available phosphate, total nitrogen, available potassium, exchangeable Ca and Mg, as well as bacterial and fungal microbial composition during 2019–2021. The results from this study indicated that the COF, SM, MR, and CCF did not significantly change the soil pH, but significantly increased the OMC, which has been regarded as the most significant soil quality parameter. This suggests that the soil amendments used in this study have great potential to improve the soil quality in newly reclaimed land. However, these soil amendments exhibited a differential effect on sweet potato biomass, nutrient elements and the microbial community of the newly reclaimed soil, which depend on the kind and concentration of organic/chemical fertilizer, the application time, as well as the plant and soil parameters. The change was also observed on the bacterial and fungal soil microbial community, which provides us with a microbial basis to understand why organic fertilizer has a great effect on soil improvement. Overall, our results suggest that soil amended with organic fertilizers has great potential for the production of sweet potato in immature soil from the new reclamation land.

Enhancing Zinc Biofortification of Wheat through Integration of Zinc, Compost, and Zinc-Solubilizing Bacteria

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a fairly widespread agronomic constraint in many of the world’s cereal (wheat, rice, corn, barley, etc.) production regions. Zinc is an imperative micronutrient required for optimum plant growth and development. Low Zn availability in about 50% of global land has resulted in Zn deficiency in cereal grains. A two-year field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, during Rabi season 2018–19 (Y1) and 2019–20 (Y2) to study the impact of Zn levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg Zn ha−1), compost types (control, composted sheep manure (SMC), composted poultry manure (PMC) and farmyard manure compost (FYMC), and Zn-solubilizing bacteria (ZnSB) (with (+) and without (-) on Zn biofortification in order to overcome Zn deficiency. The experiment was set up in three replications in a randomized complete block design. The wheat variety “Pirsabak-2013” was planted in a 30 cm row-to-row spacing. The plot size was kept at 9 cm2, with 10 rows plot−1, and the seed was sown at a rate of 100 kg ha−1. The results showed that ZnSB application increased ShZnC (shoot Zn concentration) to a maximum level of 29.3 mg kg−1, ShZnUp (shoot Zn uptake) to 176.0 g ha−1, SZnUp (straw Zn uptake) to 116.67 g ha−1, and TZnUp (total Zn uptake) to 230.3 g ha−1. In the case of compost types, PMC resulted in maximum grain Zn uptake (GZnUp) (28.9 mg kg−1), ShZnUp (192.9 g ha−1), GZnC (33.4 mg kg−1), GZnUp (125.06 g ha−1), SZnUp (125.26 g ha−1), and TZnUp (250.3 g ha−1). In the case of Zn levels, higher ShZnC (31.5 mg kg−1), ShZnUp (191.3 g ha−1), GZnC (34.4 mg kg−1), SZnC (23.5 mg kg−1), GZnUp (128.98 g ha−1), SZnUp (129.29 g ha−1), and TZnUp (258.3 g ha−1) were calculated with the use of the highest rate of 15 kg Zn ha−1, which was either statistically similar to or followed by 10 kg Zn ha−1. A strong positive correlation was found among uptake by different plant parts (ZnG, ZnS, ShZnUp, GZnUp, SZnUp, and TZnUp). It was concluded that the combined application of PMC and 10 kg Zn ha−1 along with ZnSB (+) improved Zn biofortification and uptake in wheat crop under Zn-deficient soils.

Evaluation of compost prepared from Prosopis and Alhagi plants as a medium and fertilizer for seedlings, growth and yield of tomato

For clean a agriculture and a safe environment, this study was conducted, which included the preparation of a compost from Prosopis fracta and Alhagi maurorum plants, and evaluation Its as a medium for tomato seedlings production comparing it with peat moss, and as an organic fertilizer in comparison with a number of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, cow with sheep wastes and spent mushroom compost residues, the results showed the superiority of the prepared compost over the peat moss in the speed and percentage of germination, plant height, and dry vegetative weight of tomato seedlings with a percentage increase of these traits amounted to 27.27%, 8.13%, 52.46% and 33.20%, respectively.. The results of evaluating compost as an organic fertilizer showed that the two treatments of poultry and compost were superior to mushroom residues, the mixture of cow and sheep manure in chlorophyll content, dry vegetative weight and fruit yield, as the chlorophyll content reached 52, 51, 48 and 50 SPAD, the dry vegetable weight of 776, 761, 633 and 643 g plant-1, the total yield of fruits 11.6, 11.1, 6.6 and 8.3 kg plant-1. The results of chlorophyll, dry vegetative weight of plants and total fruit yield of the combination of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, compost, mushroom residues, and mixture of cow and sheep wastes- with 1/2 amount of chemical fertilizer NPK amount of 66 , 64, 57, 63 SPAD, 1125, 1123, 1076 and 1081 gm plant-1, 15.8, 15.7, 14.9 and 15.3 kg plant-1 respectively.

Contribution of Sheep Grazing to Plant Diversity in Natural Grasslands

Global climate change and overgrazing have led to the degradation of natural grasslands and seriously threaten the diversity of grassland plant species, as plant species richness is very sensitive to natural grassland degradation. Therefore, we conducted a sheep grazing experiment in Zinniquan pasture on the northern slope of Xinjiang Tianshan Mountains to test the effects of grazing on plant species diversity in natural grasslands through the spatial and temporal characteristics of the foraging behavior of grazing sheep and the plant species composition on the grazing trajectories. Data on sheep grazing tracks were collected based on GPS, vegetation composition around the tracks was investigated and seeds were collected from sheep manure to determine germination rates by simulating rumen fistula uptake tests in sheep. We found that sheep grazing can bring seeds from agricultural fields to grow on natural grasslands, causing changes in plant species diversity and community structure. The results of this study provide new insights into natural grassland species restoration and offer a range of new strategies that can be applied to the management of natural grassland plant ecological restoration.

Vegetative growth and yield of two watermelon varieties (Citrullus lanatus) as influenced by different organic fertilizers

The demand for watermelon for consumption in a fresh form as a source of minerals and vitamins is on the increase. Consequently, any agronomic approach to promoting the productivity and quality of watermelon is a technique that needs to be studied. Thus, an experiment was conducted at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s research farm to compare the impact of various types of organic fertilizer’s (cow manure, sheep manure, poultry manure, goat manure, fish waste, vermicompost, and dolomite) on the growth and yield of two watermelon varieties. A total of sixty-four (64) experimental pots were arranged in a CRD layout and in factorial design of which eight organic fertilizers were used as main factors, and two varieties (V) of watermelon as sub-factors, which was replicated four times. Results of this study showed that the New Dragon variety treated with poultry fertilizer produced significantly higher results in vine length at 4 WAP (79.84 cm), the number of leaves (26.0), LAI (0.77), chlorophyll content at 6 and 8 WAP (60.1 and 66.6 SPAD respectively), days to 50% flowering (20.0 days) and weight of fruits (15.2 t/Ha). Moreso, the seaweed-extract treated New Dragon watermelon variety produced a significantly higher number of female flowers (3.75). Summarily, the New Dragon variety (red-fleshed) recorded higher results for both growth and yield characteristics than the Golden Delight (yellow-fleshed) variety of watermelon. Correlation analysis between morphological and yield parameters showed that yield parameters positively correlated with growth and development. It is recommended that the New Dragon variety of watermelon treated with poultry manure gives the best results

Sheep Manure Extract as an Efficient Organic Compound for Corrosion Inhibition of Carbon Steel in a Hydrochloric Acid Medium (1M)

Sheep Manure Extract as an Efficient Organic Compound for Corrosion Inhibition of Carbon Steel in a Hydrochloric Acid Medium (1M)

EFFECT OF BIOGAS SLURRY ON COMPOSTING PROCESS AND QUALITY OF CATTLE MANURE-BASED COMPOST AND VERMICOMPOST

Regarding the increasing demand of good organic manure, we made an attempt to generate a modified vermicompost from biogas slurry amended cattle manure. For this, six trials including control were run in pots by adding 2−10% (w/w, fw.) biogas slurry to cattle manure for 21 days for composting and 60 days for vermicomposting using E. eugeniae earthworms (10 per 500 g) under aerobic condition keeping moisture level of 70±5% within the overall temperature range of 13−39°C. The use of bacterial inoculants increased the agricultural quality of the compost and accelerated the composting process. After being maturity, pH of the vermicompost reached to 7.66, indicating that it has excellent nutrient releasing capability. Since EC of the produced vermicompost is less than 1.60 dS m−1, it has high cation-exchange capacity, which is beneficial to soil texture and plant health. An increment in 163% of available P in the vermicompost (6.35 ± 0.78 mg g-1, dw) than that in the compost and the highest increment of 264% with respect to control indicated that it was a better organic fertilizer and hence might be an alternative to P2O5. The worm-processed material for trials T1-T5 showed 10.0–32.5% more exchangeable K than control (T0). An increment of 43.84% in total N and an decrease of 15.6% in total organic C makes the vermicompost ideal for use for its lowest C:N ratio of 15:1, whereas it was 35:1 in compost. Each of the N-P-K contents was elevated significantly that made it a potential organic fertilizer. Comparison of the key parameters with vermicomposts of buffalo, pig, goat, horse, chicken and sheep manures of different countries confirms that the produced vermicompost could serve as an excellent organic manure.