The Influence of Bulking Material Type and Volume On In-house Composting in High-Rise,Caged Layer Facilities

In-house composting involves treating manure where it accumulates on the floor of high-rise, caged layer facilities. This process produces a partially composted material and can aid in house fly (Musca domestica L.) control by generating temperatures in the thermophilic range (≥43°C). Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of material volume and the use of previously composted material (starter) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw as bulking agents on compost temperatures and material properties. In Trial 1, starter combined with wheat straw or wheat straw alone were added to separate quadrants in a layer building, formed into windrows, and turned biweekly. Temperatures were consistently higher with the starter treatment, but both treatments followed a distinct pattern where temperatures peaked on the day of turning and declined rapidly thereafter. The starter treatment had higher initial volume (0.19 m³ m^?1 row) than straw alone (0.13 m³ m^?1 row), and maintained proportionately higher volumes throughout the trial. Volume in both treatments increased linearly with time and was correlated with peak compost temperature on the day of turning. Regression analysis indicated that a critical volume of 0.18 m³ m^?1 row was required to consistently achieve compost temperatures ≥43°C. In a second trial, starter alone was compared to wheat straw at two rates. Volumes for all treatments initially ranged from 0.20 to 0.28 m³ m^?1 row and increased linearly throughout the trial. Temperatures consistently exceeded 43°C on the day of turning. Analysis of the materials from both trials indicated that starter or straw had little effect on %moisture, %carbon, %nitrogen, or carbon:nitrogen ratio of composting materials beyond the first week after windrow establishment. These results indicate that material volume is more important than the use of starter or straw materials as bulking agents to achieve in-house composting temperatures ≥ 43°C.     

Stable carbon isotope ratios of water-extractable organic carbon affected by application of rice straw and rice straw compost during a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata,Japan

ABSTRACT

Hot-water- and water-extractable organic matter were obtained from soil samples collected from a rice paddy 31 years after the start of a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata, Japan. Specifically, hot-water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (HWEOC and HWEON) were obtained by extraction at 80°C for 16 h, and water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (WEOC and WEON) were obtained by extraction at room temperature. The soil samples were collected from surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–25 cm) layers of five plots that had been treated with inorganic fertilizers alone or with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter, as follows: PK, NPK, NPK plus rice straw (RS), NPK plus rice straw compost (CM1), and NPK plus a high dose of rice straw compost (CM3). The soil/water ratio was 1:10 for both extraction temperatures. We found that the organic carbon and total nitrogen contents of the bulk soils were highly correlated with the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents regardless of extraction temperature, and the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents were higher in the plots that were treated with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter than in the PK and NPK plots. The HWEOC and WEOC δ¹³C values ranged from ?28.2% to ?26.4% and were similar to the values for the applied rice straw and rice straw compost. There were no correlations between the HWEOC or WEOC δ¹³C values and the amounts of HWEOC or WEOC. The δ¹³C values of the bulk soils ranged from ?25.7% to ?23.2% and were lower for the RS and CM plots than for the PK and NPK plots. These results indicate that HWEOC and WEOC originated mainly from rice plants and the applied organic matter rather than from the indigenous soil organic matter. The significant positive correlations between the amounts of HWEOC and HWEON and the amount of available nitrogen (P < 0.001) imply that extractable organic matter can be used as an index for soil fertility in this long-term experiment. We concluded that the applied organic matter decomposed more rapidly than the indigenous soil organic matter and affected WEOC δ¹³C values and amounts.     

Compositional Changes in Composts During Composting and Mushroom Growth: Comparison of Conventional and Environmentally Controlled Composts from Commercial Farms

Samples from conventional and environmentally controlled (EC) composts taken at various stages of composting and mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) growth were analyzed for changes in 80 percent ethanol and water extracts, monosaccharides in acid hydrolysates of polysaccharides, lignin concentrations and lignin structural features. The relative lignin content of all composts as measured by the acetyl bromide procedure increased, both during composting and mushroom growth. On the assumption that the absolute amount of lignin remains unaltered during composting and mushroom growth, the relative changes to the polysaccharide concentrations were calculated. Thus, during composting, 70, 53 and 58 percent of the initial wall polysaccharides for conventional, “cold” and “hot” EC, respectively, were consumed by compost microorganisms. During spawn running and fruiting, about 15 percent of wall polysaccharides were utilized from all types of composts. Thus, considerable amounts (17–31 percent) of polysaccharide remained at the end of mushroom production. During composting, there were changes in the degree of condensation and in the extent of oxidation of the lignins in all cases, but the rate and extent of these changes was dependent on the different composting regimes. During mushroom growth, further changes occurred, again with different patterns for the different compost types.     

Inactivation of Giardia Cysts and Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Beef Feedlot Manure By Thermophilic Windrow Composting

Effects of composting manure on viability of Giardia cysts (GC) and Cryptosporidium cysts (CO) were determined in a two-year study with manure from feedlot cattle bedded on barley straw or woodchips. Each year, manure was deposited in 8 m × 2.5 m × 2 m windrows (one per bedding type) on a sheltered concrete pad. On day 0, porous bags containing 100 g of feces from confirmed Giardia- and Cryptosporidium-positive cattle (9 bags per retrieval day in Year 1; 3 per day in Year 2) were implanted in the windrows. Replicate bags were placed on the concrete pads as uncomposted controls. Windrow temperature and water content were measured and compost was turned mechanically twice each week. Fecal bags were retrieved and subsampled for enumerations of total and viable cysts and cysts after 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 17, 24 and 31 days in 1998 and after 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 16, 23, 30, 42, 56, 70 and 98 days in 1999. Windrow temperatures (TEMP) exceeded 55°C during the fourth week of composting, and remained above 50°C for 4 wk thereafter in 1999. Bedding material did not affect overall mean temperature in either year, but TEMP was higher with straw than with woodchip from day 10 to day 17 in 1998 (P < 0.05) and on day 16 and day 42 in 1999 (P < 0.10). In 1998, moisture content decreased from 62.2 to 43.2% during composting of woodchip manure and from 67.3 to 39.3% during composting of straw manure. In 1999, moisture content decreased from 61.0 to 31.8% for woodchip and from 64.5 to 28.6% for straw compost. Percentage of viable CO declined gradually over the 31 days in 1998. The following year revealed a rapid decline in viability of GC and CO once compost temperature exceeded 55°C and viabilities of GC and CO were reduced to zero after 42 days (straw compost) and after 56 days (woodchip compost). Exposure of CO and GC to temperatures > 55°C for a period of 15 days appears to be an effective method of inactivating Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium cysts in feedlot manure.     

Assessment of Microbial Communities In Decomposition of Specified Risk Material Using a Passively Aerated Laboratory-Scale Composter

The occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada has resulted in the implementation of regulations to remove specified risk material (SRM) from the food chain. SRM includes the distal ileum of all cattle, and the skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes, palatine tonsils, and spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of cattle ≥30 months of age. Composting may be a viable alternative to rendering for SRM disposal. In our study, two bulking agents, barley straw and wood shavings, were composted with beef manure along with SRM in passively aerated, laboratory-scale composters. Both composts heated rapidly, exceeding 55°C after 3 days with oxygen declining in the early composting stage with wood-shaving compost, but returning to near-original levels after 5 days. During composting the two matrices differed (P <0.05) only in water content, TC and bulk density. In the final compost, water content, TC and C/N ratio were higher (P < 0.05), while EC was lower (P < 0.05) in the wood shavings as compared to the straw compost. Approximately 50% of SRM was decomposed after 15 days of composting, with 30% of SRM being decomposed within the first 5 days. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were used to characterize the microbial communities and showed that Gram positive bacteria were predominant in compost at day 5, a point that coincided with a rapid increase in temperature. Gram negative bacteria and anaerobes declined at day 5 but populations recovered by day 15. Fungi appeared to be suppressed as temperatures exceeded 55°C and did not appear to recover over the remainder of the composting period, with the exception of the straw compost at day 15. On day 5, Actinomycetes increased in the straw compost, but declined in the wood shavings compost, with this group increasing in both types of compost at day 15. Although temporal changes were evident, compost matrices or depth within the composter did not obviously influence microbial communities. Decomposition of SRM also did not differ between compost matrices or with depth in the composters. These results suggest that SRM decompose rapidly during composting and that both mesophilic and thermophilic microbial communities play a role in its decomposition.     

Degradation of lignin in wheat straw during growth of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) using off-line thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide and solid-state (13)C NMR.

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is widely cultivated on wheat straw (Triticum aestivum); however, there is a need to better understand the relationship between the chemical composition of the compost and mushroom growth. Wheat straw was degraded over a period of 63 days by P. ostreatus during which time it was sampled at weekly intervals. Off-line thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide and solid-state (13)C NMR were then used in the molecular characterization of the undegraded wheat straw and the degraded samples. The degraded wheat straw samples had a lower proportion of syringyl- to guaiacyl-derived moieties and cinnamyl- to guaiacyl-derived moieties than the undegraded control. There were increases in both guaiacyl and syringyl acid to aldehyde ratios with composting time, which showed that side-chain oxidation has been mediated by P. ostreatus. The (13)C NMR spectra confirmed the increase in carboxyl content but indicated that the overall lignin and methoxyl contents remained relatively constant, although some nonsystematic variations were observed. The spectra also showed a decrease in amorphous noncellulosic polysaccharides in relation to the crystalline cellulose upon degradation.     

Passively Aerated Composting of Straw-Rich Pig Manure: Effect of Compost Bed Porosity

Straw-rich manure from organic pig farming systems can be composted in passively aerated systems as the high application of straw results in a compost bed with good structure and porosity. The passively aerated composting process was simulated in one-dimensional reactors of 2 m³ for straw-rich manure with compost bed densities of 1100, 700 and 560 kg m^?3. Temperature profiles over the reactor height were monitored online and ammonia emissions were measured periodically. The composition of the compost bed over the reactor height was determined at the end of the composting process. The composting process strongly depends on the density of the compost bed. At a density of 1100 kg.m^?3, the porosity of the bed is too low to initiate natural convection, and aerobic degradation fails and anaerobic conditions may lead to emissions of methane and odorous compounds. At a density of 560 kg.m^?3, the porosity of the bed is high and the high rate of natural convection will keep the temperature low thereby preventing the removal of pathogens and weeds. Best results were observed at a density of 700 kg.m^?3 for which aerobic degradation and drying were adequate and temperatures were high enough to kill pathogens and weeds. On basis of the Ergun equation, which describes the airflow in porous media with internal heat generation, this corresponds to a compost bed permeability of 7×10^?8 m². It was also shown that it is possible to compost animal manures with a low C/N ratio without significant emissions of ammonia. This can be established by trapping the initial ammonia emissions in a straw filter, which is placed on top of the compost bed. Ammonia absorbed in the straw filter and in the compost bed were removed by nitrification and denitrification. The passively aerated composting system results in a compost bed which is highly heterogeneous with respect to temperature, oxygen level and its composition. It is proposed that in this way a highly diverse microbial community in the compost bed is established which can perform various microbial conversions. The extensive composting system is most promising for on-farm production of an organic fertilizer from straw-rich manure, since the costs of the process and the level of ammonia emissions were low.     

Effect of Compost Age and Concentration Of Pig Slurry on Plant Growth

Shredded straw of Miscanthus ogiformis Honda ‘Giganteus’ was composted with addition of water or aqueous solutions with 3, 10, 30 or 100% pig slurry. After 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months of composting the composts were tested as pot plant growth substrates for Hedera helix L. in comparison with enriched and nonenriched peat substrates. During the first week of composting temperatures rose to higher levels with stronger pig slurry solution except for the compost made with 100% pig slurry solution which suffered from oxygen depletion. Plants grown in compost substrates made with M. ogiformis and 10 or 30% pig slurry solution produced the same shoot lengths and dry matter as plants grown in enriched or nonenriched peat substrates. Plants in compost substrates made with water or 3% pig slurry solution produced slightly shorter shoots and less dry matter. Many plants in the compost substrate made with 100% pig slurry solution failed to grow, and for the remaining plants in that treatment, shoot and dry matter production was very low at all five ages of compost. Nutrient concentrations were suboptimal for compost substrates made with water or 3% pig slurry solution, near optimal with 10% pig slurry solution, above recommended concentrations with 30% pig slurry solution and supraoptimal with 100% pig slurry solution. The pig slurry concentration had little effect on water retention in 6 months old compost substrates while in older compost substrates increasing pig slurry concentration increased the water retention capacity. In six month old compost substrates water retention was lower than in peat substrates while in 12 months old composts the water retention was greater in the compost substrates than in the peat substrates. Total porosity was above 92% and similar for all substrates. Air volume was greater in compost substrates than in peat substrates. It is concluded that compost substrates made of Miscanthus ogiformis straw and diluted pig slurry can be used successfully as a substitute for peat substrates. An aqueous solution of 10 to 30% pig slurry solution added as nitrogen source before composting is optimal. Three months of composting is sufficient for optimal plant growth.     

麦秆和羊粪混合高温堆肥腐熟进程研究

试验研究了添加不同比例的麦秆对羊粪高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响。结果表明, 羊粪高温堆肥时添加麦秆可缩短进入高温发酵阶段的时间, 减少氮素损失, 加快C/N降低速率。在堆肥过程中, 高温发酵层从中间向上下扩散; 有机质的下降速度在堆肥初期与麦秆比例呈正比, 在堆肥后期呈反比。堆肥结束时, 各处理堆肥全磷、全钾、速效磷和速效钾含量分别较堆肥初期提高2.29%~8.41%、12.51%~24.88%、1.77%~31.34%和5.03%~25.45%, 其中羊粪与秸秆6︰4处理的增幅均为最高; 速效氮含量较堆肥初期下降34.62%~14.10%, 其中6︰4处理降幅最小。在实际应用中, 羊粪与麦秆按体积比6︰4进行堆肥较为适宜, 腐熟速度最快, 若以种子发芽指数80%作为堆肥腐熟的评价指标, 则其腐熟速度比纯羊粪提高1倍, 28 d即可腐熟。     

Physicochemical,including spectroscopic,and biological analyses during composting of green tea waste and rice bran

The aims of this study were to monitor the changes in physicochemical, including spectroscopic, and biological characteristics during composting of green tea waste–rice bran compost (GRC) and to define parameters suitable for evaluating the stability of GRC. Compost pile temperature reflected the initiation and stabilization of the composting process. The pH, electrical conductivity, NO₃ ⁻-N content, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio were measured as chemical properties of the compost. The color (CIELAB variables), humification index (the absorption ratio Q _4/6 = A ₄₇₂ / A ₆₆₄ of 0.5 M NaOH extracts), absorption at 665 nm of acetone extracts, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were measured to evaluate the organic matter transformation; germination of komatsuna or tomato seeds was measured to assess the potential phytotoxicity of composting materials during composting. No single parameter was capable of giving substantial information on the composting process, the nutrient balance, phytotoxicity, and organic matter decomposition. The FT-IR spectra at 3,300, 2,930, 2,852, and 1,065 cm⁻¹ provided information on the molecular transformation of GRC during composting and they decreased over the composting. Most of the assayed parameters showed no further change after about 90 days of composting suggesting that GRC can be used for agricultural purposes after this period.     

Recycling of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) straw biomass and mineral powder with bio-inoculants as an effective soil amendment for isabgol cultivation

Efficient utilization of isabgol (Plantgo ovata Forsk.) straw biomass through preparation of bio-active organic fertilizer in a natural composting process has not been studied. In this study, phosphate rock and silicate mineral (mica) powder were used as natural sources of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), respectively. Cow dung slurry as a natural decomposer was mixed with the straw biomass at a 10:1 (weight/weight) ratio along with mineral powder. Then, nutrient-mobilizing bio-inoculants were used in the composting process after attaining thermal stabilization. The agronomic effectiveness of the resulting bio-active compost (BAC) as a bio-organic fertilizer was compared with that of conventional organics (farmyard manure and vermicompost) and chemical fertilizer (CF) by growing isabgol under field conditions. Composting with the natural sources of P and K along with the bio-inoculants increased the total nitrogen (13.6 g kg^-1), P (38.7 g kg^-1), and K (31.2 g kg^-1) contents in the final product (i.e., BAC) compared with composting without the mineral powder and bio-inoculants. Application of BAC remarkably improved the seed yield (2.5%) and husk quality of isabgol in comparison with conventional organics and CF. Compared with CF, BAC significantly boosted the economic yield of isabgol by improving the husk recovery (2.5%) and mucilage yield (4.12%). Furthermore, BAC significantly improved the soil quality by increasing organic carbon (C), available nutrients, and microbial biomass C contents, as well as enzyme activity. The positive correlation between soil and plant parameters also highlighted the benefits of BAC for isabgol production through soil quality improvement. Therefore, it can be considered as a zero-waste technology, whereby a large quantity of straw biomass generated from isabgol cultivation, which contains essential nutrients, can be recycled back to the soil. Furthermore, BAC can be effectively used as a bio-active organic fertilizer, particularly in systems where chemical inputs are restricted, such as organic agriculture.     

Changes in natural 15N abundance in paddy soils under different,long-term soil management regimes in the Tohoku region of Japan

Abstract

Long-term temporal changes in natural ¹⁵N abundance (δ¹⁵N value) in paddy soils from long-term field experiments with livestock manure and rice straw composts, and in the composts used for the experiments, were investigated. These field experiments using livestock manure and rice straw composts had been conducted since 1973 and 1968, respectively. In both experiments, control plots to which no compost had been applied were also maintained. The δ¹⁵N values of livestock manure compost reflected the composting method. Composting period had no significant effect on the δ¹⁵N value of rice straw compost. The δ¹⁵N values increased in soils to which livestock manure compost was successively applied, and tended to decrease in soils without compost. In soils to which rice straw compost was successively applied, the δ¹⁵N values of the soils remained constant. Conversely, δ¹⁵N values in soils without rice straw compost decreased. The downward trend in δ¹⁵N values observed in soils to which compost and chemical N fertilizer were not applied could be attributed to the natural input of N, which had a lower δ¹⁵N value than the soils. Thus, the transition of the δ¹⁵N values in soils observed in long-term paddy field experiments indicated that the δ¹⁵N values of paddy soils could be affected by natural N input in addition to extraneous N that was applied in the form of chemical N fertilizers and organic materials.     

Ryegrass straw component decomposition during mesophilic and thermophilic incubations

The decomposition of perennial ryegrass straw was examined under mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. Thermophilic conditions were used to define the composting process. The change in lipids, sugars, soluble polysaccharides, cellulose, and lignin was determined during a 45-day incubation. C, H, O, and N steadily decreased in both temperature treatments. The lignin content, as measured by the Klason or 72% H₂SO₄ method, decreased by 10% under mesophilic and 29% under thermophilic conditions. The Klason lignin C loss was 25 and 39% under mesophilic and thermophilic incubations, respectively. The changes in element (C, N, H, and O) ratios indicated that 94% of the lignin fraction was altered during both low- and high-temperature incubations. The changes in the lignin-like fraction as shown by elemental ratios were more extensive than those indicated by the Klason method, showing that this lignin determination has limited value in describing plant residue decomposition. The decomposition of the straw components and the concomitant degradation of the lignin fraction represent an important decomposition process that facilitates the composting of ryegrass straw with a high C:N ratio.     

Comparative Assessment of Enzyme Activities and Characteristics during Composting of Two Types of Composts

Characteristics in composts were determined during composting of chitinous source-amended compost (Cscom) and no chitinous source-amended compost (Ncom). At the end of the composting, moisture content, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (T-N), and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) decreased in both the composts, whereas the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content increased. pH of the compost was adversely changed with electrical conductivity (EC). Enzyme activities declined until the end of composting except phosphatase. In the final-stage, Cscom has higher number of chitinolytic bacteria than in Ncom. One bacterium predominant was isolated and identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Growth of the plant pathogens were suppressed by Cscom and Ncom water extracts, with the suppression being higher in Cscom. Paenibacillus ehmensis, known for high antifungal potential, was isolated from Cscom. From our study, it can be concluded that amendment of chitin material improves the chemical, biological properties, and disease suppression ability of compost.     

Abstracts of nippon Dojyohiryogaku Zasshi

Color change of city refuse during composting process was investigated according to the methods of measurement for color of materials based on the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System. Stimulus value Y (the degree of lightness) and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) were determined with Color Analyzer by measuring relative spectral reflectance. Stimulus value Y of city refuse decreased during composting process, but chromaticity coordinates (x, y) scarcely changed.

Color of various composts, which were produced from city refuse, straw, hog fecal wastes, tree bark, and tree bark mixed with activated sludge, were also investigated by measuring relative spectral reflectance. The shapes of the reflection spectra of city refuse were different from those of the other composts. Colors of the various composts were similar to each other when specified according to their three attributes: value, hue, and chroma (Munsell renotation).

While city refuse was rotting and maturing, stimulus value Yand C/N ratio equally decreased. A positive correlation was found between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio. It was concluded that stimulus value Y can be used as a criterion for determining the degree of maturity of city refuse compost.

The correlation between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of various composts was also investigated. According to the position on the two coordinates having stimulus value Y and C/N ratio as axe s, various composts were classified into three groups: (i) city refuse compost group, (ii) straw compost group, and (iii) tree bark compost group.     

水分含量对水葫芦渣堆肥进程及温室气体排放的影响

水葫芦经挤压处理后,容积减小、干物质含量提高,利于堆肥生产,但目前缺乏相关堆肥条件的研究。本文通过水稻秸秆与水葫芦渣以不同比例混合来调节堆体水分,探讨在65%、70%、75%、80%水分条件下堆肥效果及环境影响,以获得堆肥的最优水分条件。本试验为静态堆肥,动态监测堆体温度、pH值、碳氮养分和温室气体。结果表明,水分对堆体pH、胡敏酸(堆肥7 d)、富里酸无显著影响,对温度、水溶性碳、胡敏酸(堆肥50 d)、凯氏氮、硝态氮、铵态氮影响显著。其中75%水分处理升温能力最佳,堆肥6 d即达最高堆温(53.4℃);50 d时其凯氏氮、硝态氮、铵态氮显著高于65%和70%的水分处理(P<0.05);75%水分处理堆肥50 d与7 d相比,凯氏氮降低最多(21.1%),硝态氮增加最多(434%),铵态氮降低幅度最小(14.1%)。水分对CH4的产生无显著影响;但高水分促进CO2和N2O排放,75%水分处理的CO2排放能量最高,是其他处理的1.9~2.5倍,80%水分处理的N2O排放通量最高,是其他处理的3.9~23.1倍。综合考虑,水稻秸秆与水葫芦渣混合堆肥,堆体水分为75%较为适宜,能兼顾堆肥效率、品质和环境效益。     

Biological,Physicochemical, and Spectral Properties of Aerated Compost Extracts: Influence of Aeration Quantity

The goal of this experiment was to investigate the effect of aeration quantity (0, 11, 33, 55, and 77 L·min^?1) on the growth of aerated compost extracts from a pig manure–straw compost. When the aeration quantity was 11 L·min^?1, lettuce root growth enhancement of normalized compost extracts was at a maximum. As the aeration quantity increased, the total water-soluble organic carbon (TWSOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), humic carbon (humic C) content, and humification degree of compost extracts improved gradually. No differences in functional group structure were found among the aerated compost extracts. The positive root growth could be attributed to physicochemical and spectral characteristics, such as TN content, humic substances content, humification, aromaticity, and the low content of carboxyl groups. In conclusion, the aeration quantity of 11 L·min^?1 was suitable for the production of aerated compost extracts, which obtained much greater promotion growth.     

Microbial community changes during humification of 14C-labelled maize straw in heat-treated and native Orthic Luvisol

The microbial communities in agricultural soils are responsible for nutrient cycling and thus for maintaining soil fertility. However, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge on anthropogenic impacts on soils, their microflora, and the associated nutrient cycles. In this microcosm study, microorganisms involved in the conversion of crop residues were investigated by means of classical microbiological and molecular methods such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplified 16S rRNA genes. ¹⁴C‐labelled maize straw was humified by the naturally occurring microflora in native and in ashed soils, from which organic carbon was removed by heating at 600°C. The humic acids synthesized in the microcosms served as indicators of the humification process and were analysed by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Ashed, autoclaved and native soil exhibited similar microbial and physicochemical dynamics after inoculation with a soil suspension. Bacterial counts and DGGE analyses showed that in the first few weeks a small number of rapidly growing r‐strategists were principally responsible for the conversion of maize straw. As the incubation continued, the bacterial diversity increased as well as the fungal biomass. ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy of 26‐week old soil extracts revealed that structures typical of humic substances also evolved from the plant material.     

Application rate and composting method affect the immediate and residual manure fertilizer value in a maize–rice–rice–maize cropping sequence on a degraded soil in northern Vietnam

A field experiment was carried out in northern Vietnam to investigate the effects of adding different additives [rice (Oriza sativa L.) straw only, or rice straw with added lime, superphosphate (SSP), urea or a mixture of selected microorganism species] on nitrogen (N) losses and nutrient concentrations in manure composts. The composts and fresh manure were applied to a three-crop per year sequence (maize–rice–rice) on a degraded soil (Plinthic Acrisol/Plinthaquult) to investigate the effects of manure type on crop yield, N uptake and fertilizer value. Total N losses during composting with SSP were 20% of initial total N, while with other additives they were 30–35%. With SSP as a compost additive, 65–85% of the initial ammonium-N (NH₄-N) in the manure remained in the compost compared with 25% for microorganisms and 30% for lime. Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) of fresh manure was lower than that of composted manure when applied to maize (Zea mays L.), but higher when applied to rice (Oriza sativa L.). The NUE of compost with SSP was generally higher than that of compost with straw only and lime. The mineral fertilizer equivalent (MFE) of manure types for maize decreased in the order: manure composted with SSP?>?manure composted with straw only and fresh manure?>?manure composted with lime. For rice, the corresponding order was: fresh manure?>?manure composted with SSP/microorganisms/urea?>?manure composted with lime/with straw alone. The MFE was higher when 5 tons manure ha^?1 were applied than when 10 tons manure ha^?1 were applied throughout the crop sequence. The residual effect of composted manures (determined in a fourth crop, with no manure applied) was generally 50% higher than that of fresh manure after one year of manure and compost application. Thus, addition of SSP during composting improved the field fertilizer value of composted pig manure the most.