Organic Soil Conditioner Research Articles

A field study on the effect of organic soil conditioners with different placements on dry matter and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

PurposeFour different types of composts were assessed in two methods of application for their potential to support organic tomato yield.MethodsA 2-year experiment was conducted using four different soil conditioners: cow manure (CM), household compost (HC), spent mushroom compost (SMC), and vermicompost (VC). Three different application rates (10, 20, and 30 t ha−1 for all composts except VC and 3, 6, and 9 t ha−1 for VC) were included as a second factor. Two methods of fertilizer placement (as a row behind the root area and broadcast on the field) were considered as a third factor.ResultsThe yield was influenced by different soil conditioners and placement method in the first year; in the second year, just interactions were significantly different. Treatments with CM showed significantly higher tomato yield in the first year (103 t ha−1) compared to other composts, but in the second year, SMC produced a higher yield (58 t ha−1). The experiment indicated that the treatment with CM in high level with broadcast application had higher dry matter (DM) production (3.1 t ha−1) in 2014, and treatment with CM in low rate and broadcast application had higher DM production (5.8 t ha−1) in 2015.ConclusionCompost broadcast on the plots showed a higher yield production in case of similar rates and compost type. The proper rate of compost application is dependent on the method of compost placement.

Factors affecting purchasing process of digestate: evidence from an economic experiment on Sicilian farmers\u2019 willingness to pay

In this study, we evaluate from the perspective of the theory of commitment costs if the level of farmer understanding about digestate attributes could influence the willingness to pay (WTP) for it. For this purpose, we carried out a research on a sample of 223 Sicilian farmers to correlate their WTP for digestate with a set of eight attributes which usually characterise organic soil conditioners. An experimental design was set up so that participants were given different waiting times to decide on their WTP and different levels of information on the attributes of organic soil conditioners. The results highlight a positive WTP, but farmers are strongly influenced by how much information is available on digestate. Without it, farmers’ WTP decreases drastically probably due to phenomena correlated to what economic theory calls commitment costs.

Recycling of Organic Wastes through the Vermicomposting Process of Cow Dung and Crop Residues

Fertilizer is considered to be one of the main inputs for increasing crop yields. Chemical fertilizer industries are highly energy intensive and have a fundamental dependence on natural gas supply. On the other hand, organic fertilizers are the safer sources of plant nutrients without any detrimental effect on crops and soil. In the era of technological innovation, the farmers are interested to grow HYV rice and other diversified crops to support huge population of Bangladesh. So various harmful chemicals were used which degraded the health of the soil. Vermicompost is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. It can bring back the fertility of the soil. Vermicomposting with earthworms has been recognized as a composting technique that transforms complex organic substances into stabilized, humus-like product. The application of vermicompost to the soil is considered as a good management practice in any agricultural production system because of the stimulation of soil microbial growth and activity and mineralization of plant nutrients and increased soil fertility and quality. This research focuses on producing nutrient-rich organic fertilizer by vermicomposting process from biomass. An experimental setup was carried out in Doulatpur, Kushtia targeting 10 tons output per month. Cow dung and crop residues were collected and followed vermicomposting method. Three cycles were maintained in the experiments i.e. 120 days per cycle-360 days in total and counted the vermi population for each consecutive cycle. The output fertilizer was analyzed in the laboratory and it was observed that the component ratios were suitable for agricultural lands. This fertilizer can also be used as a remedy for the barren lands. For the sustainable crop production and net improvement of soil productivity, vermicomposing is an excellent process to produce organic fertilizer from biomass.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 1, 1-9, 2018

English

Humic acid and brassinosteroid applications may be an alternative to decrease the pineapple plantlet acclimatization in in vitro cultivation, since promising results have been observed when these substances were independently applied in other propagation methods. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of humic acids and brassinosteroid application on 'BRS Vitoria' pineapple plantlets grown from in vitro cultivation during acclimatization. A randomized block design was used in a 5x2x4 factorial scheme, at five brassinosteroid doses (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 mg L-1) in the presence and absence of humic acids during four sampling periods (60, 90, 120 and 150 days after transplanting), with five replicates for each treatment. BIOBRAS-16 was used as the brassinosteroid source, and the organic soil conditioner Agrolmin HF® was used as the humic acid source. Plantlets were collected for evaluation every 30 days from 60 days after transplanting. The number of plantlet leaves, length and root mass were higher in the humic acid treatment without brassinosteroid application. Leaf, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents were of 13.04, 1.77, 40.2, 8.79 and 3.17 mg kg-1, respectively. Nitrogen and potassium contents in the plantlets decreased, while phosphorus contents increased as a function of acclimatization time, regardless of treatment. Key words: Ananas comosus var. comosus, propagation, in vitro.

施用有机土壤调理剂对土壤性质和甘蔗生长的影响

施用有机土壤调理剂对土壤性质和甘蔗生长的影响

Evaluation of Multi-Mixtures of Acids for the Sample Preparation of Organic Soil Amendments for Multi-Element Determination by ICP OES

ABSTRACTA method for the simultaneous determination of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) in organic soil amendments using microwave-assisted acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) is proposed. Concentrated or diluted acids mixtures (HNO3, HF, HBF4, and H3BO3) combined or not with H2O2 were systematically evaluated in order to achieve the best digestion procedure for masses of around 150 mg of samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in order to choose the best acid mixture for digestion (3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HBF4 + 2 mL H2O). The determined concentrations were in accordance with certified values of CRM 029 at the 95% confidence level, according to the Student-t test. This acid mixture was successfully applied for the digestion of four organic soil amendment samples (organic fertilizers, substrates, and soil conditioners) and element determination.

A Study of some Sandy Soil Characteristics Treated with Combinations of Bentonite and Vinasse which Reflected on Productivity of Pea Crop

This study examined the different rates of both bentonite and vinasse as mineral and organic soil conditioners, in combinations, to improve soil chemical properties which should be reflected on pea (Pisum sativum. L,Variety Master B) productivity during the two winter seasons of 2014 and 2015, on sandy soil under drip irrigation system. The experiment was implemented in Ismailia Agricultural Research Station (latitude, 30o 35' 41.901 N and longitude, 32o 16' 45.834 E). The objective of the work is to study the effect of the treatments for bentonite applied were rates of 2, 4 and 6 ton fed.-1 but vinasse with five rates treatments at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 ton fed-1,respectively. The obtained results revealed that pH values decreased as affected by applied all treatments compared to control treatment, especially with the gradual concentration increase of vinasse. Conversely, both EC and organic matter values increased with increased rates of vinasse and bentonite, in combination. Furthermore, data indicated that values of soil availability nitrogen, phosphors and potassium rise with high rates of bentonite and vinasse as combination compared to control treatment. Moreover, evaluation of pea yield (pods, seeds, straw), as affected by treatments, revealed an increase in yield components. Similar trend was found with total content of macronutrients in pea crop (straw and seeds) in both two studied seasons. Finally, the combination of bentonite and vinasse, working together as mineral and organic soil conditioners respectively, improved the chemical properties of sandy soil, which reflected on the developed pea plant.

Humic substances, purified MAP and hydrogel in the development and survival of Eucalyptus urograndis

ABSTRACT The development and survival of Eucalyptus urograndis plants may be influenced by products based on humic fractions of the organic matter, purified MAP and soil conditioners, such as hydrogel. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the commercial products Fertiactyl®, based on humic substances, purified MAP and hydrogel on the post-planting development and survival of Eucalyptus urograndis. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 25 treatments and four replicates, each of which consisted of 6 plants. The immersion of the tubes in solution with doses of Fertiactyl® and purified MAP promoted the increase in the development and survival of the plants. In the preparation of the hydrogel, the use of solution based on Fertiactyl® and purified MAP reduced the hydration capacity of the water-retaining polymer. With increasing doses, there was a linear increment in the electrical conductivity of the solution, exponentially reducing the hydration capacity of the polymer.

ECONOMY EVALUATION OF USING ORGANIC SOIL CONDITIONER “HUNDZ SOIL” AND EFFECTS ON INCREASING USE EFFICIENCY OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES IN WHEAT CULTIVATION ON SANDY SOILS

Egyptian agricultural strategy (SADS) 2030 aims to horizontal increase of planted area of Egypt, and sights for low fertility of the sandy soils and lack of water holding capacity became a first priority for searching in methods of increasing water holding capacity of the sandy soils, and on the same time maintaining and increasing irrigation water use efficiency and in next raising efficiency of fertilization process and hence then raising of fertilizers use efficiency of which give chance for planting new desert lands due to increasing use efficiency of production factors “land, waters, fertilizers and energy sources ” which what goal be in agreement with governorate towards agricultural sustainable development . The study aims to create economy evaluation and searching for qualification the organic soil conditioner “Hunds Soil” and assessment of their effects on increase efficiency of use of the resources of the agricultural employee is identical of increase productivity of unit area of feedan (4200 m2) and quantitative saving of irrigation waters, the employed fertilizers and the energy in the agriculture on reclaimed sandy soils.The study searching depended on the results for supervision of Nubaria agricultural research station on three fields for agriculture output of the wheat area two from them about 10 feddan and the third in surveyors 1 feddan in the same area of farm of food security of army in the kilos 90 desert road of Alexandrian- Cairo, first used in it the new assembled organic soil conditioner Hunds Soil as beneficent for the soil, the second field of the farmer for comparative does not use any benefactors for the soil andthe third field employee compost as other organic fertilizer of and beneficent benefactor for the soil. Results of the economy evaluation for the organic soil conditioner “Hunds Soil” indicated that area wheat grain productivity and net return for productive area of Hunds Soil increased over farmer field in manners 21,8%, 28,7% on the arrangement, in the other hand for the compost field increases about 7,1%, 24,4% respectively. just as appeared stubborn pointing measurement competing the benifit/cost ratio shows that returning to the costs that the invested pound in Hunds Soil field achieved of net return amount in manners 2,83 pound opposite about 1,95 pound for field of the farmer, and 1,66 pound removed in the compost field. As for regarding the social returns of use the beneficent soil conditioner Hunds Soil saving in quantity of irrigation water comparing with the employee farmer field and compost field in manners 50,9% be possible to use in irrigation about 1,04 feddan more, just as saving be possible about 38 kg nitrogen as (about 115 kg nitrogen fertilizer), and About35,25 liter solar of result for drop of number of hours of irrigation in Hunds Soil field in manners 23,5 hr, just as use realized the beneficent Hunds Soil his added value total afforded in manners 1110,8 pound per one feddan for the farmer field and 455,3 pound removed/feddan about field of compost. just as containers net of saving in production elements used is power evaluated her in manners 1655,3 pound for the feddan.

Future of organic farming in sustainable agriculture

This article provides information about composting-key ingredient in organic farming which plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture. Organic waste material including livestock waste, food waste, garden waste, waste paper and mixed municipal solid waste representing major fraction of our waste stream, are common raw materials used for compost production. Organic material is collected and decomposed together. Various physical, chemical and biological components are involved in the production of compost. Vermi-composting, aerobic composting and anaerobic composting are the three types of composting. Vermi-composting is used to decompose food material using microorganisms and insects. It is a nutrient rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. Aerobic composting uses oxygen to biologically decompose waste material in controlled conditions. Anaerobic composting is done through fermentation using no or limited oxygen. Anaerobic microbes decompose the waste material. Composting is beneficial for both soil and environment. It is a substitute for chemical fertilizer and also increases fertility of the soil. It increases water utilization capacity of soil and is drought resistance. It helps to reduce amount of waste and prevent from environment pollution. Methane gas produced in anaerobic composting is used as source of energy production. Composting is a method of today that will affect our ecology positively tomorrow.

PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH KULIT ARI KULIT ARI INDUSTRl RUMAHAN TEMPE MENJADI PUPUK GRANUL TAHUN 2014

Organic fertilizer is fertilizer made from organic materials such as leaves, twigs, and livestock manure sobetter keep the soil fertile than inorganic fertilizers . One form of organic fertilizer is granule shapedfertilizers. Among the materials that can be made into organic fertilizer epidermal skin of soy generated byhome industries producing soybean cakes. The protein content of soybean epidermal skin is good for plantgrowth. The purpose of this research is to utilize soybean skin into fertilizer granules.This study followed a pre-experimental Post Test Only Design involving measurement after treatments.Data collection was performed by measurements and laboratory testing . Data were analyzed descriptivelyin reference to the Minister of Agriculture decree No.28 I Permentan I SR.130 /2009.Results of the study especially on the examination of the C / N ratio was 14.40 and water content ofgranular fertilizer was 24.80 % . It was pointed out that these results were not in accordance with the theMinister of Agriculture Regulation No.28 / Permentan/ SR.130/ 2009 on Minimum Technical RequirementsOrganic Fertilizer. Reduction of the C / N ratio was caused by the composting process that run longer.That's becausethe decomposition processeswere uneven that impacted on the finished compost . Fertilizercan still be used as a soil conditioner as the C I N ratio was in accordance with the regulations on theMinimum Technical Organic Soil conditioners but it requires additional drying so that the water content ofthe fertilizer falls within the standard that is 4-15 % .It is recommended especially for the owner of a home industries to process soybean husks into fertilizer foradditional earnings and incomes. Farmers should start getting used to using organic fertilizers inagriculture. Future researchers should perform aeration during the composting process so that compost canmature completely perfectly and evenly . Educational institutions may use results of this study as aninnovative practice, especially in the areas of soil health and waste management

Ácidos húmicos e brassinosteroide no crescimento e estado nutricional de rebentos de coroas de abacaxi

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of brassinosteroid and humic acids on growth and nutritional status of shoots from crowns pineapple. The experimental design was randomized blocks design in factorial 5x2 scheme, five doses of brassinosteroid (BIOBRAS-16®) (0, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 mg L-1) in the presence and absence of humic acid (organic soil conditioner Agrolmin®), with five replicates for each treatment. After transplanting, height, stem diameter and leaf numbers were monitored four time (0, 40, 80 and 170 days). In the last period, also were evaluated: leaf area, root volume, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter changes and determine the levels of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the leaf dry matter planting. There was an effect of the treatments on planting height. The humic acid and brassinosteroid did not provide increments in leaf area, diameter, number of leaves, root volume, dry matter of shoots and roots of planting. The application of brassinosteroid reduced the content of potassium in the dry matter of the aerial part of the planting of pineapple ‘Smooth cayenne’. The supply of humic acids in the absence of brassinosteroid, elevated potassium content inpineapple plantings.

Effect of Integrated Use of Soil Conditioner with Fertilizers on Growth, Chlorophyll Content and Yield of Groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogea</i> L.)

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction effect of soil conditioner with organic and inorganic fertilizers on groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Treatments include: T 0 (no soil amendment), T 1 (100% inorganic NPK fertilizer), T 2 (100% organic NPK fertilizer), T 3 (100% organic soil conditioner), T 4 (50% inorganic NPK + 50% organic soil conditioner) and T 5 (50% organic NPK + 50% organic soil conditioner). T 1 -T 5 did not affect stem girth, leaf area and root length. T 1 and T 2 significantly increased stem length, number of leaves and branches. T 4 and T 5 had the best growth, which differed significantly from T 0 -T 3 . Root number and nodules increased significantly in amended soils. T 1 and T 2 increased relative growth rate and root/shoot ratio non-significantly, but T 4 and T 5 increased them significantly. Leaf total chlorophyll and root mass was not affected by T 1 -T 5 , while leaf mass increased significantly. Stem mass and total biomass increased significantly under T 1 and T 2 , while T 4 and T 5 further increased them remarkably above T 0 -T 3 . T 1 and T 2 significantly improved pods/plant, pod yield, number of seeds/plant and seed yield, while T 4 and T 5 further enhanced yield. T 1 -T 5 significantly increased 100-seed mass while shelling percentage increase was significant only in T 4 and T 5 . Growth and yield generally increased in T 3 but non-significant level. Sole application of soil conditioner, organic or inorganic fertilizers though increased yield, none could provide soil conditions and nutrients for groundnut production. Combination of soil conditioner with organic or inorganic fertilizer can greatly increase yield of groundnut for sustainable production.

무관수 용기형 벽면녹화에서 유기질 토양개량제가 토양수분함량과 홍자단의 생육에 미치는 영향

In order to evaluate the effect of various organic soil conditioner ratios on the soil moisture content and growth of Cotoneaster horizontalis, a container type for wall-planting experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Konkuk University under non-irrigation. The experimental planting grounds were prepared with different organic soil conditioner ratios (<TEX>$A_1L_0$</TEX>, <TEX>$A_8L_1$</TEX>, <TEX>$A_4L_1$</TEX> <TEX>$A_2L_1$</TEX> and <TEX>$A_1L_1$</TEX>), and a drought-tolerant ornamental variety of Cotoneaster horizontalis was planted. The change in soil moisture content, plant height, number of branches, number of dead leaves, number of leaves, number of shoots, length of node, length of leaf, width of leaf, root-collar caliper, chlorophyll content, and survival rate were investigated, from April to Jun 2010. The results of soil moisture content measurements were analyzed with weight units in the container type for wall-planting during the dry summer season. The soil moisture contents were significantly enhanced in the container type for wall-planting in increasing order as the amount of soil conditioner level was increased (<TEX>$A_1L_1$</TEX> > <TEX>$A_2L_1$</TEX> > <TEX>$A_4L_1$</TEX> > <TEX>$A_8L_1$</TEX> > <TEX>$A_1L_0$</TEX>). Compared to the control treatment application (amended soil with 100% + organic soil conditioner 0%), the highest plant growth was observed in the treatment of <TEX>$A_1L_1$</TEX> application (amended soil with 50% + organic soil conditioner 50%). However, the differences between the organic soil conditioner ratio treatments of <TEX>$A_1L_1$</TEX>, <TEX>$A_4L_1$</TEX>, and <TEX>$A_8L_1$</TEX> organic soil conditioner application were mostly not significant. The survival rate increased with the increasing application of organic soil conditioner, but in the control treatment application all the plants died. The experimental results from clearly demonstrated that the organic soil conditioner improved the survival rate more than the growth of Cotoneaster horizontalis. Therefore, Cotoneaster horizontalis is expected to be a highly valuable shrub for green wall systems, when considered for us in integration system or for increasing soil water contents in planting grounds.

Characteristics of biosolids from sludge treatment wetlands for agricultural reuse

Sludge treatment wetlands (STW) consist of constructed wetlands systems specifically developed for sludge treatment over the last decades. Sludge dewatering and stabilisation are the main features of this technology, leading to a final product which may be recycled as an organic fertiliser or soil conditioner. In this study, biosolids from full-scale STW were characterised in order to evaluate the quality of the final product for land application, even without composting post-treatment. Samples of influent and treated sludge were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dynamic respiration index (DRI), nutrients (total Kjehldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), heavy metals and faecal bacteria indicators (Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.). According to the results, the dry matter content increased from 1.5–5.0% TS to 18–26% TS. Organic matter biodegradation leads to VS around 43–46% TS and COD around 500–700g/kg TS. The values of the DRI24h (0.5–1.4mgO2/gTSh) indicate that treated sludge is an almost stabilised final product. Both heavy metals and faecal bacteria indicators meet current legal limits for land application of the sludge. Our results suggest that biosolids from the studied STW can be valorised in agriculture, especially as soil conditioner.

Carbon/nitrogen ratio as a major factor for predicting the effects of organic wastes on soil bacterial communities assessed by DNA-based molecular techniques

Current Australian legislation permits the beneficial application of grease trap waste (GTW) to agricultural soil, viewing it as a beneficial source of organic matter and soil conditioner containing no/low amounts of metals or pathogenic organisms. However, little is known about the influence of GTW on soil bacterial community. A field experiment was established at Menangle in south western Sydney in Australia to quantitatively assess the impacts of different types (GTW CO and GTW CL) and amounts of GTW application on the soil bacterial community and diversity. Furthermore, a municipal solid waste (MSW) compost was simultaneously examined to compare against the other organic wastes. Knowledge about the shifts in microbial community structure and diversity following the applications of organic wastes could help to evaluate the ecological consequences on the soil and thus to develop sound regulatory guidelines for the beneficial reuse of organic wastes in agricultural lands. Soil samples were collected from recycled organics plots treated with different types and quantity of organic wastes. The field experimental treatments included control (CK, without application of any organic wastes), low amount of GTW CO (COL), GTW CL (CLL), and MSW (ML), and high amounts of GTW CO (COH), GTW CL (CLH), and MSW compost (MH). Microbial DNA was extracted from soil samples and the 16S rRNA genes were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified. The PCR products were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), cloning, and sequencing. The bacterial community structures and diversity were assessed using the DGGE profiles and clone libraries constructed from the excised DGGE bands. DGGE-based analyses showed that application of the GTW CO, regardless of the amount applied, had significant negative effects on soil bacterial genotypic diversity and community structure compared with the control, while the applications of other organic wastes including the GTW CL and MSW had no clear effects. The effects of the rate of organic waste application on soil bacterial community characteristics varied with the types of organic wastes applied. Sequence-based analyses of 126 clones indicated that Proteobacteria (53.2%) was the dominant taxa at the experimental site, followed by Actinobacteria (9.5%), Bacteroidetes (7.9%), Firmicutes (7.9%), Gemmatimonadetes (5.6%), Chloroflexi (2.4%), Acidobacteria (1.6%) and the unclassified group (11.9%). In the COH treatment, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Gemmatimonadetes were not detected; the percentages of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria in the COH treatment were significantly different from those in CK. There is a significant positive correlation (r = 0.71, p = 0.002) between the C/N ratio of organic wastes and the bacterial genotypic communities. Both the type and the amount of GTW applied affected soil bacterial genotypic diversity and community structure. The different effects of various types of organic wastes on soil bacterial characteristics may be predicted by the differences in specific properties of organic wastes such as C/N ratio, as evidenced by the strong and significant positive relationship between the bacterial community distance and the environmental distance of C/N ratio. This also indicates that the C/N ratio of GTW applied can be a major driver for the shift in the soil bacterial community. Our results revealed that the effects of organic wastes on soil bacterial communities varied with the types of organic wastes, and depending on the rate of application. Application of the GTW CO led to significant shifts in soil bacterial community diversity and structure. The effects of different types of organic wastes on the soil bacterial characteristics can be predicted by the differences of specific properties of organic wastes, such as the C/N ratio. Sequence-based analyses of 126 clones indicated that Proteobacteria was the dominant taxa at the experimental site. Our results have important implications for developing sound regulatory guidelines for the beneficial reuse of organic wastes, indicating that GTW CO and similar organic waste treatments may not be suitable for application in agricultural soils due to its significant negative effect on soil bacterial community.

The Effects of Four Organic Soil Conditioners on Aggregate Stability, Pore Size Distribution, and Respiration Activity in a Sandy Loam Soil

In coarse-textured soils, low water and nutrient holding capacity due to the high number of macropores limits crop growth. To minimize these limitations the application of various soil conditioners (SCs) has been extensively used in recent decades. The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), cattle manure (M), vermicompost (VC), and biological sludge (BS) as organic SCs on mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates, water aggregate stability (WAS), pore size distribution (PRSD), and respiration activity (RA) of a sandy loam soil. PAM (0.25 and 0.5 g kg^{-1} of air-dried soil), M (12.5 and 25 g kg^{-1} of air-dried soil), VC (2.5 and 5 g kg^{-1} of air-dried soil), and BS (1.7 and 3.4 g kg^{-1} of air-dried soil) were mixed with soil and uniformly packed into large and small pots, and then incubated in a greenhouse with FC moisture content of 0.7-0.8 and temperature of 22 ± 4 °C for 6 months. Large pots were used for soil sampling in order to measure MWD, WAS, and PRSD at 7, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days. Respiration activity was measured at the same times in small pots. All SCs, irrespective of their concentrations, significantly (P 75 \mum) and increased the number of micropores (< 30 \mum). Both PAM rates significantly (P Keywords: Soil conditioner, mean weight diameter, pore size distribution, soil respiration, water aggregate stability

Waste-waste treatment technology and environmental management using sawdust bio-mixture

The industrial wastewater (WW) of potato-chips factory is characterized by its high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), in addition to a medium content of oil & grease (O&G), total dissolved slats (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS). A new technique for wastewater treatment has been applied using bio-mixture of selected strains of Aspergillus terreus or Rhizopus sexualis in addition to the natural flora of sawdust (SD-BIOMIX) in the form of mobile micro-carrier in activated sludge system. Different kinds of composted sawdust were used as a microbial carrier, support and source of nutrients and enzymes to enhance the wastewater treatment process; in order to improve the quality of treated wastewater and resulting sludge. The parameters of treated wastewater in terms of BOD, COD, O&G, TDS and TSS were greatly improved by 85.0, 79.0, 82.7, 74.6 and 87.7% respectively, in relation to the retention time and kind of tested materials. The 14 days microbial–treated (composted) sawdust by A. terreus, or R. sexualis as (SD-BIOMIX) exhibited the highest enzymes contents and was the most efficient materials for the wastewater treatment process in comparison with commercial biomixture products e.g. C157 and EM solution. Furthermore, the retention time of the treatment process could be reduced to 4 hr only. Finally, the resulting sludge(s) of (SD-BIOMIX) was easy to separate (in 5–10 min.) from wastewater. The sludge, according the chemical analysis, can be safely used in agriculture as an organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. In addition, different kinds of resulting sludge have been tested as biosorbents and exhibited high ability to remove chromium (89.1 – 99.3%), nickel (84.3 – 98.0%) and zinc (85.6 – 97.7%) from the heavy industrial wastewater. Data indicated the possibility of magnifying the introduced (SD-BIOMIX) as a new technique for the treatment of wastewater and as new trend for wastes management and pollution prevention and could be applied in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one of advanced biotechnology to solve many of environmental problems in KSA.

Comparison of several maturity indicators for estimating phytotoxicity in compost-amended soil

Compost can provide a rich organic nutrient source and soil conditioner for agricultural and horticultural applications. Ideal compost amendment rates, however, vary based on starting material and compost maturity or their interaction, and there is little consensus on appropriate methods to gauge maturity. In this study, electrical conductivity, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and carbon mineralization measurements were made on compost-amended soils and compared to phytotoxicity measured as cress (Lepidium sativum) germination. Cress germination in soil and compost mixtures incubated for 8-10 days significantly decreased with increasing electrical conductivity and carbon mineralization rate of the mixture and with carbon mineralization rate and mineralizable carbon associated with the compost. Cress germination was not related to carbon-to-nitrogen ratio or pH of soil and compost mixtures. The electrical conductivity of the soil and compost mixtures significantly decreased with decreasing mineralizable carbon suggesting that compounds contributing to electrical conductivity were present in the compost and decomposed upon soil amendment. The results of this study indicate that measurements of mineralizable carbon and mineralization rate of composts in soil, and electrical conductivity and mineralization rate of soil and compost mixtures, can be used as indicators of compost maturity.

Microbial Pathogens in Municipal Waste Detection, Characterization, Treatment and Risk

Microbial Pathogens in Municipal Waste Detection, Characterization, Treatment and RiskBiosolids are a byproduct from municipal sewage treatment that may be used as an organic soil conditioner and fertilizer after treatment to reduce pathogens. In 2002, the National Research Council reviewed Part 503 of the Clean Water Act related to sludge regulations. They concluded that there was a lack of exposure and health information on populations exposed to biosolids and identified the need...Author(s)Rick StevensSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 99: Microconstituents: Nanoparticles and Microbial HazardsDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct, 2007ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20071001)2007:10L.7884;1-DOI10.2175/193864707787168684Volume / Issue2007 / 10Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)7884 - 7884Copyright2007Word count262Subject keywordsBIOSOLIDSPATHOGENSREGULATIONSHEALTH RISKS