Genetic Analysis and In Vitro Enzymatic Determination of Bacterial Community in Compost Teas from Different Sources

Abstract

Compost tea has been used throughout the world to control diseases and promote the growth of plants. The microbial community is the main factor involved both in the antagonistic effect against relevant phytopathogens and as a stimulator of plant growth. The objective of this research is to determine the bacterial diversity present in four types of compost as well as some of the mechanisms that may be involved in the positive effects of compost tea on crops. Aerated (ACT) and non-aerated (NCT) compost teas were obtained from four different composts: spent mushroom substrate compost (SMC), grape marc compost (GMC), greenhouse horticultural crop residues compost (CRC), and vermicompost (CRV). 16S rDNA-based DGGE profiles were obtained for each compost tea and their respective bacterial communities were analyzed. Of the 100 clones obtained, those typical for being dominant for all profiles were chosen. In total, 20 different clones were sequenced. The results showed that the bacterial communities of most compost teas had high richness, diversity, and evenness values, with relative abundance of species belonging to Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The NCTs obtained from all the composts, especially CRC and CRV, showed high levels of siderophore production, while teas from GMC manifested high and consistent cellulase activity. The ACTs from all the composts, especially SMC, had high protease activity.     

粉煤灰和钢渣处理多种金属污染的酸性土壤，金属有效性的衰减研究

The objectives of this work were to determine the potential mineralization of various organic pollutants that are likely found in compostable materials during composting, and to evaluate the participation of the microflora of the thermophilic and maturation composting phases in pollutant mineralization. Four composts were used: a biowaste compost (BioW), a municipal solid waste compost (MSW), a green waste compost (GW) and a co-compost of green waste and sludge (GW+S). In each composting plant, two samples were withdrawn: one in the thermophilic phase (fresh compost) and one in the maturation phase (mature compost) to have the microflora of thermophilic and maturation phases active, respectively. The mineralization of 5 organic pollutants, 3 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (i.e., phenanthrene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene), 1 herbicide (dicamba) and 1 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB, congener 52), was measured in a laboratory setting during incubations at 60 ℃ in fresh composts and at 28 ℃ in mature composts. All molecules were 14 C-labeled, which allowed the mineralization of the molecules to be measured by trapping of produced 14CO2 in NaOH. Their volatilization was also measured by trapping molecules on glass wool impregnated with paraffin oil. Mineralization of the organic molecules was only observed when the maturation microflora was present in the mature composts or when it was inoculated into the fresh compost. Phenanthrene mineralization of up to 60% in the fresh GW+S compost was the only exception. Mineralization of PAH decreased when the complexity of the PAH molecules increased. Mineralization of phenanthrene and fluoranthene reached 50%-70% in all mature composts. Benzo(a)pyrene was mineralized (30%) only in the MSW mature compost. Dicamba was moderately mineralized (30%-40%). Finally, no PCB mineralization was detected, but 20% of the PCB had volatilized after 12 d at 60 ℃. No clear difference was observed in the degrading capacity of the different composts, and the major difference was the larger mineralizing capacity of the maturation microflora compared with the thermophilic microflora.     

Size Characterization by Laser Granulometry of Colloids Extracted from Compost at Different Temperatures

The objective of this work was to characterize colloids extracted from composts and their potential retention in soils. Compost made of sludge and green wastes was sampled (i) during the fermentation phase and (ii) after maturation. The same kind of compost was used in a long-term field experiment at Feucherolles (France), near Paris where amended and nonamended soils were sampled. The colloidal fraction was extracted from composts in water at room temperature (20°C) and compared to the colloidal fraction extracted from the soil. Composts were also extracted by pressurized hot liquid water at 50, 125 and 175°C. The total organic carbon of the extracts was measured and the particle size distribution (PSD) of colloidal extracts was analyzed by laser granulometry. The diameters of the colloids extracted from the soil ranged between 0.040 and 0.300 μm, independently of the temperature. For composts, it varied from 0.040 to 3.200 μm when extraction was done at 20°C, while at higher temperatures, much more organic matter was extracted, and colloid diameters ranged from 0.040 μm to 0.200 μm. The water-soluble C decreased and the size of colloids recovered in water at temperatures below 50°C increased when compost maturity increased. The adsorption on soils of colloidal particles extracted from composts was characterized. The largest adsorption (up to 30% of the initial soluble C) occurred with the extracts recovered at high temperature, in relation to the more hydrophobic properties of the colloids extracted with hot water maintained in subcritical conditions. After adsorption, the particle size distribution in the colloidal fraction extracted at 20°C moved towards finer fractions; by contrast, the colloidal fraction extracted at 175°C moved towards coarser fractions. The coarsest colloids coming from the soil disappeared during the adsorption experiment, probably because of the coprecipitation with the finest colloids coming from compost.     

微生物响应PBAT-PLA生物降解膜袋工业需氧堆肥降解机制

塑料污染已对全球环境造成严重威胁,生物降解塑料的推广使用及其工业堆肥是治理塑料污染的有效途径之一。该研究根据GB/T 19277.1-2011,在（58±2）℃的特殊高温条件下,对PBAT-PLA生物降解膜袋进行有氧堆肥降解,并选择微晶纤维素作为对照。通过对堆肥中的微生物进行16S/18S高通量测序,分析降解过程中细菌/真菌的群落种类和数量变化,包括物种多样性、物种组成、物种差异分析、样本比较分析,并结合扫描电镜下的微观形貌,深入探寻可降解塑料膜袋在工业需氧堆肥过程中的微生物响应降解机制。结果表明：微晶纤维素和生物降解膜袋在降解活跃期（第140天取样）,其所在堆肥中大量存在的优势菌属为Sphaerobacter（球杆菌属,放线菌纲）,分别占比20.25%和39.44%。与同样条件下不含降解材料的对照组堆肥相比,微晶纤维素/生物降解膜袋工业需氧堆肥降解过程中显著增长的4种菌属中有3种属于放线菌,说明放线菌对聚酯物的解聚以及纤维素的降解具有积极的作用。试验结果也表明了聚酯和纤维素的完整生物降解过程不依赖单一菌种,而是微生物协同作用的结果。     

Changes in the chemical composition of soil organic matter after application of compost

Is the composition of soil organic matter changed by adding compost? To find out we incubated biowaste composts with agricultural soils and a humus‐free mineral substrate at 5°C and 14°C for 18 months and examined the products. Organic matter composition was characterized by CuO oxidation of lignin, hydrolysis of cellulosic and non‐cellulosic polysaccharides (CPS and NCPS) and ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR) spectroscopy. The lignin contents in the compost‐amended soils increased because the composts contained more lignin, which altered little even after prolonged decomposition of the composts in soil. A pronounced decrease in lignin occurred in the soils amended with mature compost only. Polysaccharide C accounted for 14–20% of the organic carbon at the beginning of the experiment for both the compost‐amended soils and the controls. During the incubation, the relative contents of total polysaccharides decreased for 9–20% (controls) and for 20–49% (compost‐amended soils). They contributed preferentially to the decomposition as compared with the bulk soil organic matter, that decreased between < 2% and 20%. In the compost‐amended agricultural soils, cellulosic polysaccharides were decomposed in preference to non‐cellulosic ones. The NMR spectra of the compost‐amended soils had more intense signals of O–alkyl and aromatic C than did those of the controls. Incubation for 18 months resulted mainly in a decline of O–alkyl C for all soils. The composition of the soil organic matter after compost amendment changed mainly by increases in the lignin and aromatic C of the composts, and compost‐derived polysaccharides were mineralized preferentially. The results suggest that decomposition of the added composts in soil is as an ongoing humification process of the composts themselves. The different soil materials affected the changes in soil organic matter composition to only a minor degree.     

Short-term effects of municipal solid waste compost amendments on soil carbon and nitrogen content, some enzyme activities and genetic diversity

Municipal solid waste (MSW) composts have been frequently used as N and C amendments to improve soil quality and to support plant growth, with the additional benefit of reducing waste disposal costs. However, attention has been paid to the risks of MSW use for the soil environment. The presence of heavy metals in MSW composts can affect some microbiological characteristics of soil such as the structure of the soil microbiota, which are responsible for the transformations making nutrients available to plants. The effects of MSW compost and mineral-N amendments in a 2-year field trial on some physical-chemical properties, some enzyme activities and the genetic diversity of cropped plots (sugar beet-wheat rotation) and uncropped plots were investigated. Variations of pH were not statistically related to MSW compost and mineral-N amendments, or to the presence of the crop. Amendment with MSW compost increased the organic C and total N contents, and dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase activities of soil. In cropped plots amended with MSW compost, dehydrogenase activity was positively correlated with #-glucosidase activity, and both enzyme activities with organic C content. No MSW compost dosage effect was detected. No effects were observed on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and amplified rDNA restriction analysis patterns, indicating that no significant change in the bacterial community occurred as a consequence of MSW amendment.     

Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with composts and macrofauna for growth promotion of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) were reported to influence the growth, yield, and nutrient uptake by an array of mechanisms. We selected seven different plant growth-promoting traits and antagonistic ability to screen 207 bacteria isolated from composts. Fifty-four percent of PGPB were from farm waste compost (FWC), 56% from rice straw compost (RSC), 64% from Gliricidia vermicompost (GVC), and 41% from macrofauna associated with FWC. Twelve isolates based on different plant growth-promoting traits and seed vigor index were evaluated at glasshouse for plant growth-promoting activity on pearl millet. Seven isolates significantly increased shoot length and ten isolates showed significant increase in leaf area, root length density, and plant weight. Maximum increase in plant weight was by Serratia marcescens EB 67 (56%), Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 (52%), and Bacillus circulans EB 35 (42%). Plant growth-promoting activity of composts and bacteria (EB 35, EB 67, and CDB 35) was studied together. All the three composts showed significant increase in growth of pearl millet, which was 77% by RSC, 55% by GVC, and 30% by FWC. Application of composts with bacteria improved plant growth up to 88% by RSC with EB 67, 83% with GVC and EB 67. These results show the synergistic effect of selected bacteria applied with composts on growth of pearl millet.     

Influence of earthworm culture on fertilization potential and biological activities of vermicomposts prepared from different plant wastes

The present investigation was aimed to analyze influence of earthworm culture on nutritive status, microbial population, and enzymatic activities of composts prepared by utilizing different plant wastes. Vermicomposts were prepared from different types of leaves litter of horticulture and forest plant species by modified vermicomposting process at a farm unit. Initial thermophilic decomposition of waste load using cow‐dung slurry was done in the separate beds. The culture of Eisenia fetida was used for vermicomposting in specially designed vermibeds at the farm unit. The physico‐chemical characteristics, enzyme activities (oxido‐reductases and hydrolases), and microbial population (bacteria, fungi, free‐living nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, actinomycetes, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria and fungi) of vermicomposts were found significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of control (without earthworm inoculum). The study quantified significant contributions of earthworm culture to physico‐chemical, enzymatic, and microbiological properties of vermicompost and confirmed superior fertilization potential of vermicompost for organic farming. The agronomic utility of vermicompost was assessed on yellow mustard plant in a pot experiment. Pot soil was amended with different ratios (5%, 10%, 20%) of vermicompost and normal compost (without earthworm inoculum). Effects of these amendments on the growth of Brassica comprestis L. were studied. The significant differences (p < 0.05) in the growth of plant were observed among vermicompost‐, compost‐amended soil, and control. Vermicompost increased the root and shoot lengths, numbers of branches and leaves per plant, fresh and dry weights per plant, numbers of pods and flowers, and biochemical properties of plant leaf significantly, especially in 20% amendment. These results proved better fertilization potential of vermicompost over non‐earthworm‐inoculated compost.     

Long-term effects of compost amendment of soil on functional and structural diversity and microbial activity

We studied the effects of applying different composts (urban organic waste, green waste, manure and sewage sludge), mineral fertilizer and compost plus mineral fertilizer on chemical, biological and soil microbiological parameters over a 12‐year period. The organic C and total N levels in soils were increased by all compost and compost + N treatments. Microbial biomass C was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased for some compost treatments. In addition, basal respiration and the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) were significantly higher in all soils that had received sewage sludge compost. The Shannon diversity index (H), based on community level physiological profiling, showed a higher consumption of carbon sources in soils treated with compost and compost + N compared with the control. The utilization of different guilds of carbon sources varied amongst the treatments (compost, compost + N or mineral fertilizer). Cluster analysis of polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis patterns showed two major clusters, the first containing the mineral fertilization and compost treatments, and the second, the composts + N treatments. No differences in bacterial community structure could be determined between the different types of compost. However, the results suggest that long‐term compost treatments do have effects on the soil biota. The results indicate that the effects on the qCO₂ may be due to shifts in community composition. In this study, it was not possible to distinguish with certainty between the effects of different composts except for compost derived from sewage sludge.     

Carbon and nitrogen transformation during composting of sweet sorghum bagasse

Two types of compost, consisting of sweet sorghum bagasse with either sewage sludge or a mixture of pig slurry and poultry manure, were studied in a pilot plant using the Rutgers system. The total degradation of the piles as determined by the weight loss of organic matter during the bio-oxidative and maturation phases accounted for 64% of the organic matter applied and followed a first-order kinetic function. Concentrations of total and organic N increased during the composting process as the degradation of organic C compounds reduced the compost weight. Losses of N through NH₃ volatilization were low, particularly in the compost with sewage sludge due to pH values of <7.0 and the low temperatures reached in the compost during the first 2 weeks. The C:N ratio in the two composts decreased from 24.0 and 15.4 to values between 12 and 10. Increases in cation exchange capacity and in fulvic and humic acid-like C revealed that the organic matter had been humified during composting. The humification index, the C:N ratio, fulvic:humic acid-like C, and cation exchange capacity proved to be the most suitable parameters for assessing the maturity of these composts.     

Physico-chemical properties of commercial composts varying in their source materials and country of origin

Composting is a partially controlled bio-oxidative process through which highly heterogeneous organic matter (OM) in its solid-state transforms into a humified material. The variability of the OM undergoing composting makes compost research a great challenge. Our purpose was to define chemical and plant response characteristics of a variety of composts, grouped based on their major source materials. Thirty-seven commercial composts were collected from France, Greece and the Netherlands. When grouped by country of origin, significant differences were found in %OM, %C, %N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, electrical conductivity (EC) and NO₃ concentration. These differences may be attributable to source materials or local regulations and quality control measures. When the composts were classified into 7 groups by their source materials: wood, green, manure, grape marc (GM), oilcake, spent mushroom substrate and municipal solid waste-based composts, significant differences between groups were found in %OM, %C, %N, DOC, pH, EC, NO₃ and soluble sugars. Extracts of composts from all groups, except GM and oilcake had absorbance in the UV and visible range that was linearly correlated with DOC. GM and oilcake compost extracts had lower absorbances and distinctly lower specific UV absorbance (SUVA). Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectra of the composts from different source groups also exhibited distinct group features (e.g. the ratio of polysaccharide to aliphatic peak intensity), whereas NMR spectra did not. Cucumber plants grown on manure-based composts had greater fresh weight than those grown on other composts. Plants grown on oilcake and GM composts exhibited low fresh weight. The difference in characteristics of the oilcake and GM composts may be a result of their unique chemical composition which slows their degradation. It may also be related to their relatively low degree of maturity, which is a consequence of their slow degradation.     

Compost Research Runs “Hot” and “Cold” at La Trobe University

? Careful monitoring of the composting process — physically, chemically and biologically — enables managers to determine key nutritional and ecological factors vital to production of a quality compost. At La Trobe University, trials compared composts which achieve high temperature (80° C) with those controlled at moderate thermophilic temperatures (45 — 55° C) to demonstrate whether the hot phase is essential or whether composts of equal nutritional status can be produced by processing at lower temperatures.     

Influence of Integrated Supply of Vermicompost and Zinc‐Eniched Compost with Two Graded Levels of Iron and Zinc on the Productivity of Geranium

Abstract

Two pot experiments under greenhouse condition were carried out to study the influence of vermicompost and zinc‐enriched compost with two levels of iron and zinc on the productivity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Joint application of vermicompost and zinc‐enriched compost was effective in increasing the herb and oil yield over sole application of iron and zinc. Combined application of vermicompost and zinc‐enriched compost gave better herb and oil yield in both the experiments. With application of vermicompost and zinc‐enriched compost with two graded levels of iron, higher N, P, and K concentrations were observed with application of vermicompost (5 g kg^?1), vermicompost (5 g kg^?1), and Fe 12.5 ppm+Zn‐enriched compost 2.5 g kg^?1 soil, respectively, over control. Highest reduction in soil pH was observed with an application of vermicompost at 5 g kg^?1 soil; maximum soil organic carbon content was also recorded in the same treatment. In experiment II, joint application of vermicompost, zinc‐enriched compost, and graded levels of zinc recorded highest N, P, and K concentration with treatments of Zn (15 ppm)+vermicompost (2.5 g kg^?1), vermicompost (5 g kg^?1), and Zn (15 ppm)+vermicompost (2.5 g kg^?1 soil), respectively. Nitrogen, P, and K content increased by 36, 125, and 305%, respectively, with these treatments over the control.

Chemical constituents of geranium oil such as cis‐rose oxide, isomenthone, linalool, citronellyl, geranylformate, geranyl, and epi‐γ‐eudesmol were significantly improved by combined application of Zn with vermicompost and Zn‐enriched compost as compared to sole application of Zn. Similar effects were observed with Fe in combination with vermicompost and Zn‐enriched compost on most of the chemical constituents of geranium oil. Physicochemical properties of the soil were also improved as macro‐ and micronutrient availability markedly increased in both the experiments because of combined application of vermicompost and Zn‐enriched compost with two levels of Zn and Fe.     

Soil enzymatic response to addition of municipal solid-waste compost

Modifications of soil microbiological activity by the addition of municipal solid-waste compost were studied in laboratory incubations. Three composts were compared, one lumbricompost and two classical composts with different maturation times. Organic C mineralization and nine enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, peroxidase, cellulase, -glucosidase, -galactosidase, N-acetyl--glucosaminidase, protease, amidase, and urease) were determined in the composts and the amended soil. Initial enzyme activities varied in the soil according to the sampling date (winter or summer) and were greater in the composts than in the soil, except for urease. Generally, the youngest compost exhibited greater activity than the oldest one. In the amended soil, the composts did not increase enzyme activity in an additive way. Dehydrogenase, the only strictly endocellular enzyme, was the only one for which the activity in the amended soil increased significantly in proportion to the addition of compost. During the incubations, C mineralization and dehydrogenase activity were significantly correlated, indicating that dehydrogenase was a reliable indicator of global microbial activity. Peroxidase activity in the soil remained constant, but increased in the composts and amended soil. Addition of the oldest compost had no effect on the activity of the C cycle enzymes, but the youngest compost increased creased soil activity at the higher application rate. Enzymes of the N cycle were stimulated by all compost amendments, but the increase was only transient for amidase and urease. Lumbricomposting had no marked effect on compost enzyme activity, either before or during the incubation.     

Composts Vary in Their Effect on Soil P Pools and P Uptake by Wheat

With diminishing world reserves of phosphorus (P) deposits and rising fertilizer prices, it is important to find alternate sources of P for crops. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of four different composts C1 (animal manure and straw), C2 (garden waste), C3 (wood chips and bark), and C4 (kitchen waste) on soil P pools and P uptake by wheat on 14, 28, and 72 days after compost application. The composts were applied as a 2.5 cm thick layer on the soil surface. During sampling, only the soil underlying compost was sampled. Soil pH and total organic carbon were not affected by the amendments. Soil respiration was significantly higher in compost-amended soils compared with the unamended soil except with C4 on day 72. Addition of composts increased plant growth, and P uptake being highest on day 72 with C1 and C4. With little effect on available P concentration on day 14, there was a conversion of organic P into inorganic P in the compost treatments suggesting net mineralization of organic P on day 28. On day 72, the concentrations of the less labile P forms were higher in the compost treatments compared with the unamended suggesting precipitation and fixation as well as synthesis of organic P. This study showed that mulching with composts having high available and total P concentrations can provide plants with P and also increase soil P concentrations which could reduce the fertilizer requirement for the following crop.     

Use of Sulfur to Control pH in Composts Derived from Olive Processing By-products

Two composts were prepared from olive press cake (OPC) repeatedly turned and moistened with either olive mill wastewater (OPC+OMW) or water (OPC+W). When phytotoxicity was drastically reduced and the pH of the composts had reached 8.6 and 7.55 respectively, elemental sulfur was added at 0.9% of dry weight to the OPC+OMW compost and at five different doses (0.1 – 1.0% of dry wt) to the OPC+W compost. During the following six months, an exponential pH decline was observed in both compost materials. The pH reached a final value of 5.8 in the OPC+OMW compost whereas a pH decline related to the amount of added sulfur was observed in the OPC+W compost (final values from 6.8 to 4.3). Over 80% of the pH decline occurred during the first two months following the sulfur addition. Sulfur was applied following the stabilization of the material in the case of OPC+W. No phytotoxic effects of the final products were observed at sulfur application doses up to 0.5% of dry compost weight, but a significant germination index reduction was observed at the 1% dose, probably related to the increased conductivity of the compost leachate. Sulfur was applied before stabilization of the compost material, in the case of OPC+OMW, to also investigate the effects of sulfur addition on the composting process. A thermophilic phase similar to that observed after the last OMW application exceeding 50°C followed, and no effects on microbial activity profiles of the compost were observed. The results indicate that small amounts of elemental sulfur may efficiently control high pH values in the final compost products and could be safely applied at late composting stages or after composting. This may broaden the utilization of these composts in potting media and alkaline soils.     

Temperature and Chemical Changes During Composting of Broiler Litter

Composting broiler litter (a mixture of manure, bedding material, and wasted feed) with commonly available high-C substrates may be a viable alternative to reduce current land disposal practices for litter. Broiler litter with wood shavings as a bedding material and broiler litter with peanut hulls as a bedding material were composted with wheat straw, peanut hulls, pine bark and paper mill sludge in 0.33 m³ batch reactors. Litters and C substrates were mixed to achieve C:N ratios of approximately 30:1. Dry weight, total N, total C, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were determined at regular intervals. Maximum temperatures peaked near 70°C within 2.25 d after mixing peanut hulls with litter and within 2.58 d for pine bark and litter. Composts made from paper mill sludge approached 50°C within 3.71 d. Wheat straw composts never exceeded 40°C which could present potential health problems associated with pathogenic microorganisms. Mass loss and C:N ratio gradually declined and stabilized approximately 84 d after mixing. Mass loss averaged 73 percent for wheat straw compost, 33 percent for peanut hull composts, and 16 percent for the other mixes. Wheat straw compost C:N ratios stabilized near 14:1 and other mixes remained above 20:1, indicating N limited conditions for complete composting. Compost pH was 5.8 after 84 d from pine bark composted with wood shaving litter and was significantly lower than pH from paper mill sludge compost with an average pH of 6.9 but similar to all other compost mixes (pH 6.7). Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.35 S m^?1 for paper mill sludge composted with wood shaving litter to 0.91 S m^?1 from wheat straw composted with peanut hull litter. Composting temperature varied considerably among C sources and all required at least 72 d of curing to stabilize the C:N ratio. Composts made from wheat straw were most effective for waste reduction but temperatures were below the 50°C level generally considered necessary to kill pathogens.     

Comparisons of Composts with Low or High Nutrient Status for Growth of Plants in Containers

Abstract

Composts may be incorporated into container mixes for several purposes, including to supply nutrients, add organic matter, or suppress plant diseases. The objective of this research was to assess the nutritional benefits of two composts derived in common from composted chicken manure and used in formulation of container media for growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The composts differed in extractable and total plant nutrients so that one of the composts was considered a nutrient‐rich material and the other a nutrient‐poor material. Media were formulated from soil or peat with the composts added in a progressive array of concentrations from a medium with no compost addition to a medium that was all compost. Half of the media were treated with a water‐soluble, complete fertilizer and half were left unfertilized. Optimum growth occurred in media in which compost did not exceed 25% of the volume. The beneficial effects of the composts on plant growth were associated with increased supply of nutrients for the plants. The suppressive effects were attributed to restricted accumulation of nutrients with the nutrient‐poor compost and to excessive potassium supply and accumulation with the nutrient‐rich compost. Fertilization was beneficial in increasing plant growth with the nutrient‐rich compost and was essential for plant growth with the nutrient‐poor compost. The research demonstrated that composts can be used in formulation of media for container growth of plants.     

Compost Maturity Effects on Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization and Plant Growth

Improved predictive relationships between compost maturity and nitrogen (N) availability are needed. A total of 13 compost samples were collected from a single windrow over a 91 d period. Compost stability and maturity were assessed using both standard chemical analyses (total C and N, mineral N, total volatile solids) and other methods (CO₂ evolution, commercial maturity kits, and neutral detergent fiber, and lignin). Compost N and carbon (C) were evaluated during a 130 d aerobic incubation in a sandy loam soil after each compost was applied at 200 mg total kg^?1 soil. The effect of compost maturity on plant growth was evaluated by growing two ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) crops and one barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop in succession in compost-amended soil under greenhouse conditions. Potential phytotoxicity from compost was assessed by growing tomato (Lypersicum esculentum L.) seedlings in compost-amended soil. Regression and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between compost maturity parameters, the rate and extent of net N and C mineralization, plant yield and N uptake, and phytotoxicity. Commonly used maturity parameters like total C, total N, and C:N ratio were poorly correlated with the rate and extent of mineralization, and with plant growth parameters. The N mineralization rate during the first 48 d of aerobic incubation was strongly correlated (r= ?0.82 to ?0.86) to compost fiber and lignin concentration, and to the Maturity Index (r=0.85). Trends in C mineralization were similar. There were few differences in C mineralization between composts after 48 d of aerobic incubation in soil. Ryegrass harvested 35 and 70 d after compost application was not strongly affected by compost maturity, and relatively immature composts were phytotoxic to tomato seedlings. Methods of characterizing compost maturity and stability that more realistically reflect the composting process are better predictors of N release and potential plant inhibition after incorporation into soil.     

添加酸解氨基酸对植物源废弃物好氧堆肥品质及其应用效果的影响

[目的]探究添加酸解氨基酸 (AA) 对不同植物源废弃物堆肥进程、氮素损失阻控、堆肥品质和产品效果的影响.[方法]分别向3种含碳量不同的植物源废弃物 (中药渣、木薯渣和蘑菇渣) 中添加5％、10％和15％(体积质量比) 的酸解氨基酸,以不添加酸解氨基酸处理作为对照,监测堆肥过程中的温度和理化指标.堆肥结束后,以辣椒和茄...