Poultry Manure Amendment Research Articles

Evaluation of the potential of agricultural wastes-cattle manure and poultry manure for bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria suffers from petroleum pollution, which affects ecosystem functioning and human health, which necessitates finding sustainable remediation options that utilize local resources. In this work, cattle manure (CM) and poultry manure (PM), which are primarily utilized as biofertilizer for agricultural purposes, were utilized to bioremediate crude oil-contaminated soil on a laboratory scale. In addition to being readily accessible, CM and PM are also sustainable bioresources that are host to a wide variety of microflora that can be used for bioaugmentation. At the end of the 1.5 month study, the impact of the amendments on speciated total petroleum hydrocarbons (STPH) in the range of nC10-nC40 was evaluated. A significantly higher STPH degradation of 36% in PM-amended soil was observed compared to CM-amended soil (23%); and only 1% degradation in enhanced by natural attenuation soil (RENA). The pre-dominant aliphatic fractions in the samples analyzed were nC16-nC35. In comparison to the CM amendment option, PM amendments achieved better bioremediation of these fractions. Moreover, the effect of biowaste ratio amendment to the contaminated soil showed that the ratio 1:1 (w/w) for both bioadmendments performed better than the ratio 1:2 (w/w), suggesting that the higher the amount of amendment to contaminated soil, the more effective the bioremediation. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of PM as a sustainable, affordable, and local bioremediation technique for recovering soil contaminated by crude oil in the Niger Delta.

Organic Manure Enhanced Phytoremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soils in The Niger Delta: The Potentials of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata)

In spite of frequent oil pollution, a cost effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable means of remediating polluted soils is yet to be discovered in the Niger Delta. This study, examined the effect of two rates of poultry manure (0 and 20 t/ha) remediating 0 and 5% oil in a 2x2x3 factorial, using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as possible phytoremediation plant. Two weeks after contamination, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) increased significantly (P<0.05) from 0.02 mgkg-1 to 125.1 mg/kg-1 and at eight weeks after remediation, TPH reduced from125.1 mgkg-1 to 91.86 mgkg-1 in the unamended contaminated soil and the poultry manure amended contaminated soil decreased significantly (P<0.05) to 73.08 mgkg-1. Soil pH increased significantly (P<0.05) from 5.34 to 5.80, two weeks after contamination and after eight-week of remediation, pH in the unamended contaminated soil increased to 5.85 and the amended contaminated soil increased to 5.97. Organic carbon increased significantly (P<0.05) from 1.15% to 2.32% after two weeks of contamination and eight weeks after remediation, increased to 2.45% in the unamended contaminated soil, and to 2.58% in the amended contaminated soil. Though oil contamination slowed germination, cowpea germination in the unamended contaminated soil recorded 60% while poultry manure amendment increased germination to only 66% indicating cowpea has phytoremediation qualities. However, poultry manure amendment increased cowpea germination energy. The study recorded no significant difference in cowpea germination percentage and growth parameters between the unamended contaminated soil and remediated oil contaminated soil indicating poultry manure application rate need to be increased.

Advancing circular economy for the growth, root development and elemental characteristics of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) on galamsey-degraded soil

Landscape restoration of degraded mining sites, crucial for agroecology and carbon farming in Ghana, remains poorly understood and underutilized. Bamboo has historically played a role in restoring such sites, but there is a need to integrate circular economy principles fully into harnessing its ecosystem services potential. In this study, we evaluated the impact of biochar and poultry manure amendments on galamsey-degraded mining sites to operationalize circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, using Bambusa vulgaris as the test crop.Conducted in the Asikasu mining area of the Amansie Central District of Ashanti, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was used comprising five treatments: 1) 10 tonnes/ha biochar, 2) 10 tonnes/ha poultry manure, 3) Combined biochar and poultry manure at 10 tonnes/ha each, 4) Galamsey-degraded soil control, and 5) Forest topsoil control. Each treatment and control type was replicated three times. The experiment spanned from February 2020 to March 2021.The combined application of biochar and poultry manure resulted in the highest root density and average root diameter, demonstrating the potential for restoring galamsey-degraded sites to support bamboo-based agroecology. The elemental profiles of the bamboo varied in response to different treatments, indicating differing availabilities of micro- and macro-nutrients in the soil solution following soil amendments.This study underscores the viability of circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, offering a pathway to sustainable land use and agroecological practices in Ghana's mining-impacted landscapes.

Effect of ramial chipped wood and poultry manure amendments on soil chemical properties and fungal communities in Benin

This study investigated effects of soil amendments with ramial chipped wood (RCW) derived from Gmelina arborea and Sarcocephalus latifolius, together with poultry manure, on soil chemical properties and fungal communities in northern and southern Benin. The trial was a split-plot experiment, where treatments included volume of irrigation water (V1 and V2 = 0.5 *V1) as the whole-plot factor, with organic amendment (45 t/ha RCW; 15 t/ha poultry manure, PM; 45 t/ha RCW + 15 t/ha of PM, RCW_PM; and control) as the sub-plot factor. Topsoil was sampled before and after 24 months of in situ organic amendment application. Humic acid (HA) was extracted from soil and purified prior to FTIR spectroscopy, NMR, and Py-GC-MS analyses. RCW treatments (RCW and RCW_PM) contributed substantially to organic carbon storage and soil nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) increases (the latter by up to 1.5 times) compared to the control. Accordingly, soils that were amended with the RCW produced significant amounts of HA. High concentrations of lignin-related compounds were determined in pyrolysis products from humic acids in the RCW-amended soils. Using ITS2 region sequencing on the Illumina Miseq platform, RCW amendments markedly altered fungal compositions, with increased relative abundance of Ascomycota (up to 92% of total fungal community), Mucoromycota (2.7%), Basidiomycota (2.5%) and Rozellomycota (0.3%). These fungal phyla contain species that participate in organic matter decomposition and compound transformations but did not selectively degrade lignin in RCW. Our results suggest that RCW amendments significantly increased fungal activity and improved soil nutrient availability. Thus, this agrotechnology is recommended for regenerative agriculture.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Yield, Nutrition, and Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation Responses to Circular Economy-Based Innovations in a Mining-Degraded Landscape

Mining operations in Ghana's Forest-Savannah Transition Zone have caused widespread land degradation, jeopardizing ecosystems, food security, and agroecological sustainability. In response, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects of biochar and poultry litter amendments on cassava (Manihot esculenta) growth, nutritional quality, and heavy metal accumulation at an illegal mining-degraded site in the Amansie Central District of Ashanti, Ghana. The experiment included five treatments: biochar (10 ton/ha), poultry manure (10 ton/ha), a biochar-poultry manure mix (1:1 ratio, 10 ton/ha each), and two control groups (degraded and forest sites). The combined biochar and poultry manure treatment yielded the highest cassava stover biomass (22.9 ton/ha) during the first year. Nutritional characteristics of cassava such as %carbohydrate, %protein and %total ash tubers were influenced by treatment amendments. Additionally, biochar and poultry manure reduced the accumulation of Arsenic (As) by 168.9% and Lead (Pb) by 149.8% in cassava compared with galamsey soil control. This study showcases a circular economy-based approach that employs locally available resources to restore mining-degraded landscapes and enhance regenerative agricultural practices, reducing waste, bioaccumulation of heavy metals and improving carbon sequestration. Promoting the use of biochar and poultry manure amendments for ecological restoration in mining-degraded areas can contribute to sustainable land use, food security, and livelihoods. Policymakers should consider these strategies to align with global and national development goals while improving food systems and ecosystem services. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of cassava cultivation on amended mining sites and assess the potential of these amendments for agroecological enhancement and heavy metal immobilization.

Growth, Yield Attributes and Metabolite Components of Thickhead (Ebolo) (Crassocephalum crepidioides Benth.) as Affected by Soil Amendment

A screenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the growth, yield attributes and bioactive components of thickhead (ebolo) as affected by soil amendments. Treatments were soil type (fertile soil and degraded land respectively amended with NPK @300kg/ha (F1), NPK@150kg/ha (F2), Poultry Manure@10t/ha (F3), Poultry Manure @5t/ha (F4), NPK @ 150kg/ha + Poultry Manure @5000t/ha, (F5), NPK @ 75kg/ha + Poultry Manure @ 2500t/ha (F6) and unamended control. Data were collected on soil properties, growth and biomass yields of thickhead and chemical, proximate and bioactive components of leaves. Results showed that soil type and amendment significantly affected growth, yield and bioactive components of thickhead. Growth of thickhead improved significantly for soil collected under fallow vegetation (S1) while application of NPK and poultry manure combination at 0.375g + 12.5g per plant significantly enhanced most of the measured variables of thickhead. Fertilizer amendment of soils enhanced leaf sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents, poultry manure amendment improved moisture content and crude protein, while NPK increased significantly leaf ash and fat contents. Post-cropping chemical analysis of treated soils showed increases in pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, organic matter, available P, K, Na, Ca, and Mg of fertilizer-amended soils compare with the unamended. Thickhead (ebolo) can be grown both on fertile and degraded soils, soil amendment using NPK-poultry manure combinations enhanced the growth, yield and nutrition of thickhead and is recommended for its production.

Phosphogypsum and poultry manure enhance diversity of soil fauna, soil fertility, and barley (Hordeum aestivum L.) grown in calcareous soils

Enrichment of calcareous soils with phosphogypsum and poultry manure amendments could increase nutrient availability, improve calcareous chemical characteristics, and enhance barley plant growth. In the current study, phosphogypsum (PG) and poultry manure (PM) were used to determine the effects of PG and PM application on soil fauna diversity, soil fertility, and barley yield. The pot experiment treatments were: C: control; PG1: 4.20 g kg−1 soil; PG2: 6.30 g kg−1 soil; PM1: 4.20 g kg−1 soil; PM: 6.30 g kg−1 soil, and their combinations. The results indicated that the application of PM alone or combined with PG had significant effects on the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), organic matter (OM), soil NPK availability, and yield of barley. Collembola and Prostigmata accounted for 50.0 and 43.3%, respectively, of the total number of soil fauna. Shannon and evenness indices increased significantly in the soil amended with PM alone or combined with PG. Amended soil with PG and/or PM significantly increased the yield and yield components of plants compared to the control. The PM1PG2 treatment increased the yield by 76.2% above the control.

Sweetpotato storage root formation as affected by soil organic amendment applications

Organic amendments have been utilised as a source of nutrients to improve the growth and yield of many crops, including sweetpotato. However, none of the studies examined the relationship between organic amendments and the initiation of sweetpotato storage roots (SRs). A study was conducted in sweetpotato Orleans cultivar to investigate anatomical changes to roots during storage root formation aiming to elicit if organic amendment affects SR formation by changing soil available nitrogen (N) concentration. Two locally available organic amendments including poultry manure (PM) and sugarcane trash (SCT), were used in this experiment at different rates. Six treatments were included in the study: unamended soil (control), unamended soil with chemical fertiliser, PM 22 Mg/ha, PM 66 Mg/ha, SCT 10 Mg/ha and SCT 30 Mg/ha. Compared with unamended control, SCT application at both rates, 10 or 30 Mg ha−1, significantly promoted the formation of SRs and reduced root lignification, while PM amendment from 22 to 66 Mg ha−1 significantly inhibited SR initiation and enhanced the formation of lignified roots, which appear to be associated to high soil available N caused by PM addition. During the SR initiation, all amended treatments increased N accumulation in plants compared to the control. These results indicated that excessive soil available N introduced by PM amendment could inhibit the formation of SR of sweetpotato. Thus, when applying a lower rate of PM to sweetpotato, and planting should be delayed from 2 to 3 weeks after amending to avoid the detrimental effect on SR initiation. Excessively high rates of PM soil amendment (66 Mg ha−1) should be avoided. A suitable rate of SCT may be applied (~ 10 Mg ha−1 in this study) to promote SR formation of sweetpotato in soil with adequate available N level, but high rates could lead to immobilisation of N and suppress crop growth.

Effects of Biochar and Poultry Manure Amendments on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties, Growth and Sweet Potato Yield in Degraded Alfisols of Humid Tropics

Information on the impact of biochar and poultry manure on soil characteristics and sweet potato productivity in the humid tropics is lacking. Hence, field experiments were conducted at two locations during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons to assess the effects of biochar (B), poultry manure (PM), and their mixture on soil physical and chemical properties, growth and tuber yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Each year, the experiment consisted of 4 × 3 factorial combinations of biochar (0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 t ha-1) and poultry manure (0, 5.0 and 10.0 t ha-1). The findings revealed that using B and PM alone, as well as in combination, improved soil physical and chemical qualities, as well as sweet potato performance. Significant interactions of B and PM (B × PM) were observed on soil characteristics and sweet potato variables that were measured in both years, showing B’s potential in enhancing PM use efficiency. Pooled over two years, application of the highest dosage of 30.0 t ha-1 B + 10.0 t ha-1 PM significantly increased tuber yield of sweet potato compared with other treatments. The multiple regressions showed that both soil physical (bulk density, porosity and moisture content) and chemical (pH, OC, TN, P, K, Ca, and Mg) properties had a significant impact on sweet potato leaf area and tuber yield. The findings indicated that B and PM have the ability to improve soil quality and sweet potato production. Keywords: Biochar; Poultry manure; Soil properties; Sweet potato; Alfisols

Comparative effectiveness of exogenous organic amendments on soil fertility, growth, photosynthesis and heavy metal accumulation in cereal crops

With soil fertility loss reached a critical state in arid and semi-arid regions, farmers are constrained to use mineral fertilizers, which are costly, non-eco-friendly and less effective in improving soil fertility than organic fertilizers such as dewatered sewage sludge (SS) and poultry manure (PM). In this regard, the current study aimed to highlight through experiments the positive effect of SS and PM applications on soil fertility and durum wheat growth. It targeted to demonstrate the safe and wise use of organic fertilization while assessing heavy metals in both soil and plant. The experiment was carried out in two batches of thirty-two pots, one for each treatment (SS and PM), in addition to the control with no fertilization. SS and PM were applied separately in three doses (D1 = 50 g, D2 = 100 g, and D3 = 200 g DM fertilizer/pot). The applications of both SS and PM induced a significant increase in plant-available phosphorus, organic matter, nitrates, moisture and electrical conductivity in soil, where these improvements were higher in PM compared to SS treatment. A significant accumulation of proline associated with an increase in biomass that were both proportional with fertilizer dose levels. Our findings revealed a loss in relative water content and leaf area of the plant. Correlations showed several significant relationships between soil parameters studied. The dose D2 of each fertilizer was the most efficient to improving both soil properties and plant components. Plant zinc concentration increased significantly with increase in soil zinc in PM amendments, however it decreased in SS. These relationships were not significant in copper for the two fertilizers. Both SS and PM improved soil fertility and plant growth compared to the control, thus this practice is a promising solution to tackle soil fertility loss and low production in drylands.

Evaluation of the Restorative Effect of Three Organic Manures in Rill and Gully Eroded Soil Using Amaranthus hybridus L. as Test Plant

The effect of organic manure in restoration of rill and gully eroded soil using Amaranthus hybridus as a test plant was carried out. The aim of this research work was to compare the restorative potentials of cow-dung, goat-dung, and poultry-manure amendment on rill and gully eroded soil. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with five treatment replicated thrice. Seeds of Amaranthus hybridus were sown directly into the bags and were thinned to two seedlings per bag a week after germination. Soil analysis of the treated samples and control was carried out after six weeks to determine the amount of organic carbon, soil pH, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Also soil particles analysis was carried out to determine the amount of sand, silt, clay and bulk density. Stem height of A. hybridus, leaf area, number of leaves per plant and stem girth were the parameters monitored on a weekly basis. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the differences among treatment means. The result showed that goat-dung recorded highest organic carbon content of (1.88 and 1.63) respectively in both rill and gully eroded soil samples. Poultry-manure recorded increase in nitrogen content of (0.92 and 0.84) respectively in both rill and gully eroded soil samples. The combination of goat-dung, poultry-manure and cow-dung recorded the highest pH value of (5.90) in rill eroded soil samples while goat-dung recorded the highest pH value of (6.40) in gully eroded soil samples. The least reduction in bulk density in rill soil sample was recorded in goat-dung with value of (1.41) while poultry-manure recorded the least reduction in bulk density of (1.48) in gully eroded soil sample. Percentage clay content recorded highest in control with value of (34.0 and 48.0) respectively in both rill and gully eroded soil samples. The combination of cow-dung, goat-dung and poultry-manure recorded the highest plant height of (21.02cm and 18.10cm) respectively, stem girth (1.36cm and 2.76cm) respectively, leaf area (10.81cm2 and 16.84cm2) respectively in both rill and gully eroded soil sample, in control plant height of (5.64cm and 3.63cm) respectively, in stem girth (0.42cm and 0.32cm) respectively, in number of leaves (7.33cm and 8.33cm) respectively, in leaf area (2.11cm2 and 1.55cm2) respectively recorded the least value in both rill and gully eroded soil samples. Analysis of variance showed significant difference among the treatments and within the weeks.

Variation in Maize Grain Yield Indices When Exposed to Combined Heat and Water Stress Conditions under Different Soil Amendments

Increased yield can be achieved by optimising the growth environment, improving the plant gene pool, or a combination of the two. This study’s objective was to evaluate the effect of combined heat and water stress (CHWS) on maize yield, grown in various soil conditions. The experimental design was a four-replicated 3 × 3 × 2 × 3 factorial in a completely randomized design. Three water stress levels, three soil amendments, two soil textural types, and three drought-tolerant maize varieties were combined to create 54 treatment interactions. The result showed that as the severity of the water stress increased, the yield decreased. The near terminal water stress reduced cob weight, grain weight, and grain number by 96, 97, and 97%, respectively. The maize varieties were ranked WE5323 ≥ ZM1523 > WE3128 in terms of average performance and stability. Under heat and moderate water stress, the poultry manure amendment performed well for WE5323 and ZM1523, while the mineral fertilizer amendment performed best for WE3128. Compared to the inorganic amendment, the organic had a greater ameliorative capacity for grain yield under CHWS. For improved grain yield under CHWS, farmers are advised to grow WE5323 and ZM1523 with organic amendments. The findings in this study could improve food security strategies for low-income households living in high-stress environments.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of bioaugmentation and biostimulation in atrazine removal in a polluted matrix using degradation kinetics

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was the restoration of sterilized soil contaminated with atrazine (5.52 mg kg−1) using atrazine-degrading bacteria, biochar, and poultry manure amendments. The atrazine-degrading bacterium was purified from a mixed culture isolated from a long-history atrazine soil, and identified as Alcaligenes sp. strain AZUHUB-A31-CH52 ND4 based on the 16S rRNA sequence. After 35-day bioremediation, the sterile soil inoculated with Alcaligenes sp. and amended with biochar or poultry manure improved atrazine removal efficiency (98–99%) while the soil containing only atrazine degraders resulted in the lowest atrazine removal (78%). The atrazine degradation kinetics in the amended and unamended soils adequately fit the double first-order in parallel (DFOP) model given the goodness of fit parameters (high r2 (0.9703–0.9997) and low AICc (−106.30 to −28.92) values. The DFOP model also predicted that DT50 (half-life) in all treatments was < 1 day (0.03–0.13 day) at a fast dissipation rate k1 (5.422–20). The DT90 (90% atrazine removal) estimated by DFOP ranged between 23–94 days. The results demonstrated that low-cost bio-waste could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for the reclamation of soils contaminated with atrazine.

Synergistic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and poultry manure to significantly increase proximal structure and physiological parameters of Cucurbita maxima and Telfairia occidentalis under soil salinity

This research was carried out to assess the potential impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) complex (Glomus geosporum and Rhizophagus irregularis) synergy with poultry manure (PM) on the survival of Cucurbita maxima and Telfairia occidentalis grown under salt stress conditions. This experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with all treatments replicated thrice for both test plants. Analysis of the saline and garden soils used in this study revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) variations in their soil physico-chemical parameters. Increase in parameters such as pH (7.75 for saline soil; 6.78 for garden soil), EC (SS 7.80 dS.m.-1; GS 0.32) and Ex Na+ (SS 8.81 cmol.kg-1; GS 0.4181 cmol.kg-1) was observed in the saline soil while there was a decrease in organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus in saline soil. Proximate analysis of C. maxima and T. occidentalis leaves revealed that fiber, carbohydrate, and caloric value were slightly reduced in saline soil treatments while ash, protein and lipids contents were slightly increased. AMF inoculation and PM application had significant effect on proximate composition of these plant leaves but caloric value which was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in non-saline soil treatments. Physiological parameters such as leaf turgid weight (LTW), leaf relative water content (LRWC), vigor index (VI), and salt tolerance index (STI) were significantly reduced by salinity, while electrolyte leakage (EL) was higher in saline soil treatments than non-saline soil treatments. However, inoculation with AMF in combination with PM amendment significantly increased LTW, LRWC, VI, and STI in both saline and non-saline soil treatments above single treatment with mycorrhizal species and poultry manure. However, EL reduced with mycorrhizal inoculation. The results of this work have shown that AMF and PM can enhance plants ability to tolerate salinity possibly through some morphological and physiological changes which improved water and nutrients uptake.

Benefits of biochar, poultry manure and biochar–poultry manure for improvement of soil properties and sweet potato productivity in degraded tropical agricultural soils

Studies on the effects of biochar and poultry manure on soil properties and sweet potato productivity are scarce. Hence, field experiments were conducted during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons at two sites to evaluate the effects of biochar (B), poultry manure (PM) and their combined application on soil physical and chemical properties, growth and tuber yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). Each year, the experiment consisted of 4 × 3 factorial combinations of biochar (0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 t ha −1) and poultry manure (0, 5.0 and 10.0 t ha −1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that combined application of B and PM improved soil physical and chemical properties, growth and tuber yield of sweet potato better than sole application of B and PM. In both years, there were significant interactions of B and PM (B × PM) on soil properties and sweet potato variables that were measured, indicating the potential of B in improving nutrient use efficiency of PM amendment. It was found that the highest application rate of 30.0 t ha −1 B and 10.0 t ha −1 PM (B30+PM10) gave the highest tuber yield of sweet potato at both sites. Averaged over two years, the highest application rate of B at 30.0 t ha −1 and PM at 10.0 t ha −1 (B30+PM10) significantly increased tuber yield of sweet potato by 108, 147, 196, 89, 124 and 220%, compared with sole B at 30.0 t ha −1 (B30+PM0), sole B at 20.0 t ha −1(B20+PM0), sole B at 10.0 t ha −1 (B10+PM0), sole PM at 10.0 t ha −1(B0+PM10), sole PM at 5.0 t ha −1(B0+PM5) and no application of B or PM (control) (B0+PM0), respectively. Lowest tuber yield was obtained for the control. The multiple regressions revealed that bulk density, porosity and moisture content and soil chemical properties (pH, OC, N, P, K, Ca and Mg) significantly influenced the tuber yield of sweet potato and therefore dictated the performance of sweet potato in Alfisols of southwest Nigeria. The highest application rate of 30.0 t ha −1 B and 10.0 t ha −1 PM were found best on most of the measured soil physical and chemical properties, growth and tuber yield of sweet potato. The results indicated that B in combination with PM have the potential to improve soil properties and sweet potato yield of severely degraded soils.

Effect of Ramial Chipped Wood and Poultry Manure Amendments on Soil Chemical Properties and Fungal Communities in Benin

Effect of Ramial Chipped Wood and Poultry Manure Amendments on Soil Chemical Properties and Fungal Communities in Benin

Bioremediation of artificially crude oil polluted soil of veritas University Abuja using poultry manure

The removal of hydrocarbon compounds from the environment has always been a difficult undertaking for people all over the world. As a result, remedial efforts are required to safeguard the environment as well as to restore agriculture. This study looked at how poultry manure (dung) could help in the bioremediation of Veritas University's intentionally crude oil polluted soil. The physical properties of the soil and total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the crude oil polluted soil were determined, followed by the isolation and identification of microorganisms present in the soil and poultry manure before and after pollution with crude oil. These analyses were done according to standard operating procedures. Within a six-month timeframe, the natural attenuation and poultry manure amendment option for remediating the crude oil-polluted soil were monitored and the residual hydrocarbon content of the polluted soil after remediation evaluated. There was an overall decrease in pH level during the experimental units containing 4 g amendment, 2 g amendment and the untreated polluted soil in the order 8.4 to 7.1, 8.4 to 7.2 and 8.1 to 6.7, respectively. Temperature was within 27oC and 31oC, the treated soil that contained 4 g dung had an initial moisture content of 58%, and 35% after remediation. The hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus species, and Bacillus species, while the hydrocarbon utilizing fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani and Candida albicans. There was more significant microbial increase in the sample containing 4 g poultry manure treatment than 2 g poultry manure treatment and natural attenuation. Total hydrocarbon quantity significantly decreased after six months with the complete removal of C4, C7, C19 and C37 from the treated sample containing 4 g poultry manure. This indicated that the negative effects of crude oil on the environment can be mitigated by adding poultry manure.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Foodborne Pathogens Isolated from Dairy Cattle and Poultry Manure Amended Farms in Northeastern Ohio, the United States.

Foodborne pathogens significantly impact public health globally. Excessive antimicrobial use plays a significant role in the development of the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Here, we determined the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. coli O157, Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, and Campylobacter isolated between 2016 and 2020 from small scale agricultural settings that were amended with dairy cattle or poultry manure in Northeastern Ohio. The total prevalence of the foodborne pathogens was 19.3%: Campylobacter 8%, Listeria monocytogenes 7.9%, Escherichia coli O157 1.8%, and Salmonella 1.5%. The prevalence was significantly higher in dairy cattle (87.7%) compared to poultry (12.2%) manure amended farms. Furthermore, the prevalence was higher in manure samples (84%) compared to soil samples (15.9%; p < 0.05). Multiple drug resistance was observed in 73%, 77%, 100%, and 57.3% of E. coli O157, Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, and Campylobacter isolates recovered, respectively. The most frequently observed resistance genes were mphA, aadA, and aphA1 in E. coli O157; blaTEM, tet(B), and strA in Salmonella; penA, ampC, lde, ermB, tet(O), and aadB in L. monocytogenes and blaOXA-61, tet(O), and aadE in Campylobacter. Our results highlight the critical need to address the dissemination of foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance in agricultural settings.

Maize response to combined heat and water stresses under varying growth conditions

AbstractIdentificationof agronomic practices that can ameliorate the negative effect of combined heat and water stress on maize plants is vital in food security strategy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat and water stress on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under variable growth conditions. A repeated greenhouse factorial experiment laid out in a completely randomized design with four replications was performed. The factors were maize variety, water stress, soil amendment, and soil type. The results showed a depressive effect of water stress on the maize leaf area, chlorophyll content, stem diameter, dry biomass yield, and harvest index. These attributes decreased as the severity of the water stress increased with harvest index dipping by 30.3 and 92.9% in moderate water stress (MS) and terminal water‐stress (TS) plants, respectively. Sandy clay loam soil gave higher maize growth and yield attributes than loamy sand soil. The varied growth conditions imposed by the different water stresses, soil types, and soil amendments elicited different responses from the three maize varieties. Mean stability analyses/ranking identified ZM1523 and WE5323 as the top‐performing varieties under poultry manure amendment for both non‐stress and MS conditions, whereas under TS their performance improved in combined poultry manure/mineral fertilizer and mineral fertilizer treatments. Similarly, WE3128 gave its best performance under mineral fertilizer amendment for non‐stress, MS, and TS conditions. Therefore, under combined heat and water stress conditions, the interaction of maize variety, soil type, and soil amendment should be considered to guarantee a high maize yield.

Growth and yield responses of tomato to irrigation in screenhouse-potted soil amended with varying levels of poultry manure

The need for production of high value crops has increased over the years, hence the need to more appropriately determine irrigation water levels in water-scarce scenarios. The Aim of this research was to 1) determine the effect of deficit irrigation on growth and yield of tomato, and 2) determine how poultry manure amendments of soil would interact with irrigation to influence the observed growth and yield responses. There were two irrigation levels namely 0.75 and 1.5 l per plant per week, combined with 0, 34 and 68 g/plant poultry manure, in a 2 x 3 factorial design with three replicates. Growth and yield parameters were measured till maturity. Data were analysed through RTANOVA in a GLM at α=0.05. Results showed that the combination of 0.75 l irrigation water per plant per week with 34 g poultry manure per plant significantly increased number of leaves, branches and collar diameter. At low levels of irrigation (0.75 l/plant/week) the highest number of flowers (196) is produced under fertilization with 68 g poultry manure per plant, with a reproductive success rate of 18.37%. When the irrigation rate doubles, the highest number of flowers (126 /plant) is produced in plants fertilized with 34 g/plant poultry manure, with a reproductive success rate of 42.06%., representing the best combination of treatments for maximum fruit yield; doubling manure rates to 68 g/plant results in increased flower abortion and reduced reproductive success.