On effect of poultry manure treatment with Effective Microorganisms with or without zeolite.

The decomposition process of poultry manure is generally mediated by microorganisms, whose degradation activity has beneficial effects on soil fertility but, on the other hand, leads to the generation of malodour gas. Indeed, a relevant problem of poultry farms is represented by the release of bad smells, which are mainly a consequence of decomposition process of chicken feces, chicken bedding, plumes, dropped feed, and dust. Furthermore, the unpleasant odour, associated with poultry manure degradation, not only limits its use in agriculture but also negatively affects the housing communities located near the farms. This study aimed at evaluating the effects in vitro of different doses of Effective Microorganisms (EM), mainly consisting of live communities of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and yeasts, on poultry manure alone or with zeolite, a porous mineral with absorbent and ion-exchange properties, belonging to the family of aluminosilicates. The obtained results demonstrated that these treatments were able to reduce the poultry manure malodours, associated mainly with a decrease in the ammonia (NH3) levels with respect to controls. The pH tended to increase, the nitrogen to go down, and the phosphorus to go up. Thus, all the effects described above were evident, testifying to a slower degradation of proteins, both with EM alone or in combination with zeolite. The presence of a pool of pesticides (65 components) was evaluated, and no variation was observed in the different experimental conditions versus control, as well as for REEs and metals. In conclusion, these preliminary results demonstrated that the use of EM with or without the addition of zeolite is a valid tool to eliminate the bad smell of manure and to make it a useful product as a fertilizer.

Pteris vittata plantation decrease colloidal phosphorus contents by reducing degree of phosphorus saturation in manure amended soils.

The agricultural use of manure fertilizer increases the phosphorus (P) saturation of soils and the risk of colloidal P (Pcoll) release to aquatic ecosystems. Two experiments were conducted to identify whether Pteris vittata plantation can decrease Pcoll contents in two soils (Cambisol and Anthrosol) amended with various manure P rates (0, 10, 25, and 50 mg P kg-1 of soil). The total Pcoll contents in manured soil without P. vittata were 1.14-3.37 mg kg-1 (Cambisol), and 0.01-2.83 mg kg-1 (Anthrosol) across manure-P rates. The corresponding values with P. vittata were 0.97-2.33 mg kg-1 (Cambisol) and 0.005-1.6 mg kg-1 (Anthrosol). Experimentally determined colloidal minerals (Fe, Al, Ca), colloidal total organic carbon, Mehlich-3 nutrients (Fe, Al, and Ca), and the degree of P saturation were good predictors of Pcoll concentrations in both soils with and without P. vittata plantation. In unplanted soils, P adsorption decreased and the degree of P saturation increased which released more Pcoll. However, P. vittata plantation decreased the Pcoll release and P loss risk due to the increase of P adsorption and reduced DPS in both soils. The P fractions (NaOH, NH4F, and HCl-P) contributed to increase the P pool in planted soils which enhanced the bioavailability of Pcoll and increased the P. vittata biomass. It suggested that P. vittata plantation was an effective approach to reduce Pcoll release from manure amended soils.

Enhancement of resistance by poultry manure and plant hormones (salicylic acid & citric acid) against tobacco mosaic virus.

Virus is the most menacing factor for plant, which causes enormous economic losses in agriculture worldwide. Tobacco mosaic virus is most hazardous virus among the plants that can spread through biological and non-biological sources. TMV is ancient virus that causes huge economic losses to pepper cucumber ornamental crops and tobacco. It can be controlled by reducing the population of vector through pesticide application. However, the rapid usage of synthetic chemicals causes environmental pollution and destroys our ecosystem. Consequently, different approaches just like natural derivatives should be adopted for the environmental friendly management for TMV. This in vitro study demonstrated the potential role of natural metabolites such as poultry manure and plant extracts such as salicylic acid and citric acid for the control of TMV. Two different concentrations of poultry manure 60G and 30G were used. Poultry manure was mixed with the soil at the time of sowing. Disease severity was minimum at maximum concentration as compared to the control. Meanwhile, two different concentrations of salicylic acid and citric acid 60% and 90% were applied by foliar sprayer after three-leaf stages. Disease severity was observed after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after disease inoculation. Here also maximum concentration showed the minimum disease severity and higher concentration of both animal and plants extracts were used for following experiment. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) results demonstrated that different plant defense-related genes such as PR1a, PAL, PR5, NPR1, PRIb, and PDF1.2 were up-regulated. Furthermore, applications of each treatment-induced systemic resistance against a wide range of pathogen including TMV and fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea.

Can biochar regulate the fate of heavy metals (Cu and Zn) resistant bacteria community during the poultry manure composting?

In this study, the influence of coconut shell biochar addition (CSB) on heavy metals (Cu and Zn) resistance bacterial fate and there correlation with physicochemical parameters were evaluated during poultry manure composting. High-throughput sequencing was carried out on five treatments, namely T1-T5, where T2 to T5 were supplemented with 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% CSB, while T1 was used as control for the comparison. The results of HMRB indicated that the relative abundance of major potential bacterial host altered were Firmicutes (52.88-14.32%), Actinobacteria (35.20-4.99%), Bacteroidetes (0.05-15.07%) and Proteobacteria (0.01-20.28%) with elevated biochar concentration (0%-10%). Beta and alpha diversity as well as network analysis illustrated composting micro-environmental ecology with exogenous additive biochar to remarkably affect the dominant resistant bacterial community distribution by adjusting the interacting between driving environmental parameters with potential host bacterial in composting. Ultimately, the amendment of 7.5% CSB into poultry manure composting was able to significantly reduce the HMRB abundance, improve the composting efficiency and end product quality.

Agronomic efficiency and profitability of cotton on integrated use of phosphorus and plant microbes / Eficiência e rentabilidade agronômica do algodão no uso integrado de fósforo e micróbios vegetais

Cotton crop, plays a significant role in Pakistan's economy by ruling a prominent place in edible oil and local textile industry. Phosphorus (P) inaccessibility and deficiency of soil organic matter are the key restraints for low crop productivity in cotton. Therefore, a two years field study was designed during 2014-15, to explore the influence of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and inanimate sources of P on various physiological, growth, yield and quality parameters of cotton crop at CCRI Multan. Field responses of seeds inoculated with two distinctive phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strains viz. S0 = control, S1 =strain-1, S2 = strain-2 and eight organic, inorganic P sources viz., P0= control, P1 = 80 kg ha-1 P from inorganic source, P2 = 80 kg ha-1 P from FYM, P3 = 80 kg ha-1 P from PM, P4 = 40 kg ha-1 P from FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P from inorganic source, P5 = 40 kg ha-1 P from PM + 40 kg ha-1 P from inorganic source, P6 = 80 kg ha-1 P from FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P from inorganic source, P7 = 80 kg ha-1 P from PM + 40 kg ha-1 P from inorganic source and P8 = 40 kg ha-1 P from FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P from PM were evaluated. Results revealed that inoculation of seeds with PSB and collective use of inorganic and organic sources of P had considerably increased the yield contributing attributes in cotton. However, the treatment P7 (80 kg P ha-1 from PM + 40 kg P ha-1 from inorganic source) in coincidence with seeds inoculated with PSB (S1) produced taller plant, maximum boll weight, significantly higher LAI and CGR. Significantly higher seed cotton yield, lint yield, fiber length and maximum BCR of 1.95 and 1.81 was also obtained from the P7 treatment during both crop-growing seasons. In conclusion, combined use of 80 kg P ha-1 from PM + 40 kg P ha-1 from inorganic source and cotton seeds inoculated with strain-1 improved phosphorus uptake ensuing in greater consumption of photo-assimilates for maximum growth and yield.

A safra de algodão, desempenha um papel significativo na economia do Paquistão, ao ocupar um lugar de destaque no óleo comestível e na indústria têxtil local. A inacessibilidade e a deficiência de fósforo (P) da matéria orgânica do solo são as principais restrições para a baixa produtividade das culturas em algodão. Portanto, um estudo de campo de dois anos foi desenvolvido durante 2014-15, para explorar a influência de bactérias solubilizantes de fosfato (PSB), esterco de capoeira (FYM), esterco de aves (PM) e fontes inanimadas de P sobre vários fatores fisiológicos, crescimento, rendimento e parâmetros de qualidade da cultura do algodão no CCRI Multan. Respostas de campo de sementes inoculadas com duas cepas distintas de bactérias solubilizantes de fosfato (PSB) viz. S0 = controle, S1 = cepa-1, S2 = cepa-2 e oito fontes orgânicas de P inorgânicas viz., P0 = controle, P1 = 80 kg ha-1 P de fonte inorgânica, P2 = 80 kg ha-1 P de FYM, P3 = 80 kg ha-1 P de PM, P4 = 40 kg ha-1 P de FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P de fonte inorgânica, P5 = 40 kg ha-1 P de PM + 40 kg ha-1 P de fonte inorgânica, P6 = 80 kg ha-1 P de FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P de fonte inorgânica, P7 = 80 kg ha-1 P de PM + 40 kg ha-1 P de fonte inorgânica e P8 = 40 Foram avaliados kg ha-1 P da FYM + 40 kg ha-1 P da PM. Os resultados revelaram que a inoculação de sementes com PSB e o uso coletivo de fontes inorgânicas e orgânicas de P aumentaram consideravelmente os atributos que contribuem para a produtividade no algodão. No entanto, o tratamento P7 (80 kg P ha-1 da PM + 40 kg P ha-1 da fonte inorgânica) em coincidência com sementes inoculadas com PSB (S1) produziu planta mais alta, peso máximo de cápsula, IAF e CGR significativamente maiores. Produtividade significativamente maior do algodão, rendimento de fiapos, comprimento da fibra e BCR máximo de 1,95 e 1,81 também foi obtida a partir do tratamento P7 durante as duas épocas de cultivo. Em conclusão, o uso combinado de 80 kg P ha-1 de PM + 40 kg P ha-1 de fonte inorgânica e sementes de algodão inoculadas com a cepa-1 melhoraram a captação de fósforo, resultando em maior consumo de foto assimilados para obter crescimento e produtividade máximos.

Impacts of Manures and Manure-Based Composts on Root Lesion Nematodes and Verticillium dahliae in Michigan Potatoes.

The interaction of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and the fungal plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae causes potato early die (PED) complex, which induces premature vine senescence and dramatically reduces yield in potatoes. Management of PED is often achieved through the use of soil fumigants and nematicides, but their adverse effects on soil, human and environmental health, and strict regulations worldwide require alternative control tactics. In this study, we investigated the effects of multiple composts and manures on nematode mortality and PED. In lab assays, root lesion nematodes were exposed to poultry manure, layer ash blend, Dairy Doo, or wood ash for 7 days at rates of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 20% by volume of product and assessed for nematode survivorship. Additionally, these products were evaluated for volatile fatty acid content to determine if fatty acid content affects nematode control. In a field trial, the composts and manures were evaluated at two different rates, high (11.2 t/ha) or low (2.8 t/ha), and populations of P. penetrans and V. dahliae were quantified. Our results show that a 1% application rate of poultry manure and layer ash blend provided the greatest nematode control in lab assays with 24.5 and 38.2% reduction, respectively, with greater control at higher rates. In the field, plots treated with poultry manure had significantly higher potato yields and significantly fewer nematodes than control plots. Taken together, our results suggest that poultry manure could be a promising amendment to control PED.

The use of sugar beet pulp stillage for co-digestion with sewage sludge and poultry manure.

The anaerobic mesophilic co-digestion of sugar beet pulp stillage with poultry manure and municipal sewage sludge was investigated in this study. The sugar beet pulp stillage (SBPS) mono-digestion failed owing to an accumulation of volatile fatty acids, leading to a pH value lower than 5.5. A 20% addition of poultry manure to stillage allowed for stable digestion performance despite high volatile fatty acid (total volatile fatty acids) concentrations of 5500-8500 g m-3 with propionic acid being the predominant one and constituting 72%-76% total volatile fatty acids. For this mixture, the maximum methane production of 418 dm3 kgVSfed-1 was achieved when the reactor was operated at a solids retention time of 20 days and an organic loading rate of 4.25 kgVS m-3 d-1. The co-digestion of stillage with 60% municipal sewage sludge gave the average methane yield of around 357 dm3 kgVSfed-1 for all operational conditions applied, however, the methane percentage of biogas (up to 70%) was far greater than the corresponding values obtained for sugar beet pulp stillage-poultry manure co-digestion. Neither ammonia nor volatile fatty acids destabilised the biogas production, and the volatile fatty acid profile showed the dominance of acetic acid (72%-82% total volatile fatty acids) followed by propionic and butyric acids.

Low digestibility of phytate phosphorus, their impacts on the environment, and phytase opportunity in the poultry industry.

Phosphorus is an essential macro-mineral nutrient for poultry, needed for the body growth, development of bones, genomic function, good quality flesh, and eggs production. The imbalance of organic phosphorus sources in the diet mostly affect the phosphorus digestibility, reduces the poultry performance and health, and increases the environmental pollution burden. A study was reviewed to estimate the low phytate phosphorus digestibility of ingredients in poultry diet and their impacts on environmental ecosystem and opportunity of phytase supplementation. Plant ingredients mostly used in poultry diets are rich in phytate phosphorus. The phytate phosphorus digestibility and utilization is low in the gut of birds which leads to decrease other nutrients digestibility and increase excessive excretion of phosphorus with additional nutrients in the manure. When that manure applied to the lands containing excessive residual phosphorus and additional nutrients which pollute soil, groundwater disturbed the entire ecosystem. This issue is developed by poultry due to lack of digestive enzyme phytase which promotes the phytate phosphorus during digestion and reduces the excessive losses of phosphorus in excreta. To overcome this matter, the addition of mostly exogenous phospho-hydrolytic phytase enzymes in the diet, i.e. Escherichia coli, Peniophora lycii, Aspergillus niger, and Ficum, are the possible ways to increase the digestibility and utilization of phytate phosphorus and promote the stepwise release of phosphorus from phytate and significantly decrease phosphorus excretion. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of phytase supplementation in the poultry feeding, improvement of phytate phosphorus digestibility with performance, and reduction of phosphorus pollution from the environment.

Biological value and chemical components of essential oils of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown with organic fertilization sources.

BACKGROUND: Environmental safety of the agricultural utilization of livestock and poultry manures from intensive farming is attracting great attention and is effective as a good source of nitrogen for sustainable crop production. The present study aimed to determine the effects of organic poultry manure applications on the biological value and essential oil content of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). In this context, different doses of chicken, kibele (fermented chicken manure) and turkey manure (750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 kg da-1 ) with a control (no manure) were applied by sowing. RESULTS: The essential oils consisted of p-Allyl-anisole as the most abundant component (5.65-17.90%), followed by nerol (6.69-16.11%), linalool (5.10-10.81%) and z-citral (5.23-10.73%). The contents of most of the chemical constituents varied significantly (P < 0.05) with organic poultry manure applications. The highest concentration for essential oils components was found in the chicken manure application. Both the antioxidant activity and total phenolic amounts of the basil extracts varied significantly as the organic poultry manure applications changed. The highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic amounts were obtained in the treatments with chicken manure doses of 1000 and 1250 kg da-1 , which were significantly different compared to the other treatments and the control treatment. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the essential oils against bacterial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 was assessed by the disc diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results of antimicrobial assays indicated that all of the tested microorganisms were affected. The highest antibacterial activity against all tested microbial species was observed with 1250 kg da-1 chicken manure applications. CONCLUSION: Among the organic poultry fertilizations, chicken fertilization was of particular interest. Especially, chicken manure doses of 1000-1250 kg da-1 had the highest antibacterial and antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolics, flavonoids and essential oil components. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Changes in P accumulation, tissue P fractions and acid phosphatase activity of Pilea sinofasciata in poultry manure-impacted soil.

Pilea sinofasciata is a promising phytoextraction material to remove excess phosphorus (P) from manure-impacted soil. However, little information is available on its physiological response to animal manure treatments. Here, P accumulation, tissue P fractions and acid phosphatase activity were investigated in a mining ecotype (ME) and a non-mining ecotype (NME) of P. sinofasciata at different poultry manure (PM) treatments (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 g kg-1). Biomass and P accumulation of the ME increased up to 50 g kg-1, after which they significantly decreased; while P accumulation of the NME increased up to 100 g kg-1. But, shoot and root P accumulation of the ME were significantly higher than those of the NME at all PM treatments, showing 1.13-2.92 and 1.11-2.89 times higher values, respectively. Inorganic P and nucleic P dominated in tissues of both ecotypes. Besides, the ME maintained higher concentrations of inorganic P and ester P in leaves and ester P, nucleic P and residual P in roots than the NME. Acid phosphatase activity in leaves and roots increased by increasing PM treatments, except in root at 125 g kg-1. Acid phosphatase activity in leaves of the ME was positively correlated with concentrations of inorganic P, ester P and nucleic P, while that of the NME only correlated with inorganic P concentration. Probably, the optimized P fractions allocation and higher tissue acid phosphatase allow the ME to grow well and efficiently accumulate P in PM-impacted soil.

Poultry manure and sugarcane straw biochars modified with MgCl2 for phosphorus adsorption.

Increases in agricultural productivity associated to the crescent use of finite reserves of phosphorus improved the demand for ways to recycle and reuse this nutrient. Biochars, after doping processes, seem to be an alternative to mitigate the large use of P reserves. Sugarcane straw and poultry manure were submerged in an MgCl2 solution in a 1:10 solid/liquid ratio and subsequently pyrolyzed at 350 and 650 °C producing biochar. Increasing concentrations of P were agitated with biochars in order to obtain the maximum adsorption capacity of P with the aid of Langmuir and Freudelich isotherm. MPAC was extracted, successively, with H2SO4 (0.5 mol L-1), NaHCO3 (0.5 mol l-1 a pH 8.5) and H2O, until no P was detected in the solution. Biochars without the addition of Mg did not have the ability to adsorb P but had this property developed after the doping process. The poultry manure biochar presented higher MPAC (250.8 and 163.6 mg g-1 of P at 350 and 650 °C, respectively) than that of sugarcane straw (17.7 and 17.6 mg g-1 of P at 350 and 650 °C, respectively). The pyrolysis temperature changed significantly the MPAC values for the poultry manure biochar, with an increase in the adsorbed P binding energy for both biochars. H2SO4 showed the best extraction power, desorbing, with a lower number of extractions, the greater amount of the adsorbed P. These materials doped with Mg and subjected to pyrolysis have characteristics that allow their use in P adsorption from eutrophic and wastewaters and therefore its use as a slow release phosphate fertilizer, indicating to be competitive in quality and quantity with available soluble chemical sources in the market.

Liming induces carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in PSB inoculated alkaline soil supplemented with different phosphorus sources.

Agricultural land is a major sink of global organic carbon (C). Its suitable management is crucial for improving C sequestration and reducing soil CO2 emission. Incubation experiments were performed to assess the impact of phosphate solubilizing bacterial (PSB) inoculation (inoculated and uninoculated) and soil calcification (4.78, 10, 15, and 20% crushed CaCO3) with phosphorus (P) sources [single superphosphate (SSP), rock phosphate (RP), farm yard manure (FYM), and poultry manure (PM)] in experiment 1 and with various rates of PM (4, 8, and 12 kg ha-1) in experiment 2 on cumulative soil respiration. These experiments were arranged in three factorial, complete randomize design (CRD) with three replications. Interactively, lime with P sources (at day 1 and 3) and lime with PSB (at day 1) significantly expedited soil respiration. Mainly, PSB inoculation, liming, PM fertilization, and its various rates significantly enhanced soil respiration with time over control/minimum in alkaline soil at all incubation periods. Higher CO2 emission was detected in soil supplemented with organic P sources (PM and FYM) than mineral sources (SSP and RP). CO2 emission was noted to increase with increasing PM content. Since liming intensified CO2 discharge from soil, therefore addition of lime to an alkaline soil should be avoided; instead, integrated approaches must be adopted for P management in alkaline calcareous soils for climate-smart agriculture.

Comparison of the effects of poultry manure and its biochar on barley growth in petroleum-contaminated soils.

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two organic amendments [poultry manure (PM) and poultry manure biochar (PMB)] for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils by barley plant at three levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) during 5 months under greenhouse conditions. TPHs removal efficiency and microbial respiration were shown to be higher at soil-cultivated plant than at uncultivated soil and in lowest level of contamination rather than other levels of contamination and at organic amendment treatment than unamended soil. Soil microbial respiration and TPHs degradation in the rhizosphere of barley increased by 15.64 and 12.74% for PM-amended treatment and 28.07 and 26.83% for PMB-amended treatment, respectively, in the 4% TPHs level compared with unamended treatment. Comparison of two amendments showed that in PMB treatment soil, highest dry weight, microbial respiration, and TPHs degradation potential were observed.

Development of functional composts using spent coffee grounds, poultry manure and biochar through microbial bioaugmentation.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG), poultry manure, and agricultural waste-derived biochar were used to manufacture functional composts through microbial bioaugmentation. The highest yield of tomato stalk-based biochar (40.7%) was obtained at 450°C with a surface area of 2.35 m2 g-1. Four pilot-scale composting reactors were established to perform composting for 45 days. The ratios of NH4+-N/NO3--N, which served as an indicator of compost maturity, indicate rapid, and successful composting via microbial bioaugmentation and biochar amendment. Moreover, germination indices for radish also increased by 14-34% through augmentation and biochar amendment. Microbial diversity was also enhanced in the augmented and biochar-amended composts by 7.1-8.9%, where two species of Sphingobacteriaceae were dominant (29-43%). The scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were enhanced by 14.1% and 8.6% in the fruits of pepper plants grown in the presence of the TR-2 (augmentation applied only) and TR-3 (both augmentation and biochar amendment applied) composts, respectively. Total phenolic content was also enhanced by 68% in the fruits of the crops grown in TR-3. Moreover, the other compost, TR-L (augmentation applied only), boosted DPPH scavenging activity by 111% in leeks compared with commercial organic fertilizer, while TR-3 increased the phenolic content by 44.8%. Composting facilitated by microbial augmentation and biochar amendment shortened the composting time and enhanced the quality of the functional compost. These results indicate that functional compost has great potential to compete with commercially available organic fertilizers and that the novel composting technology could significantly contribute to the eco-friendly recycling of organic wastes such as spent coffee grounds, poultry manure, and agricultural wastes.

Nitrogen Mineralization of a Loam Soil Supplemented with Organic-Inorganic Amendments under Laboratory Incubation.

The quantification of nitrogen (N) supplying capacity of organic amendments applied to a soil is of immense importance to examine synchronization, N release capacity, and fertilizer values of these added materials. The aims of the present study was to determine the potential N mineralization and subsequent nitrification of separate and combined use of poultry manure (PM), wheat straw residues (WSR), and urea N (UN) applied to a loam soil incubated periodically over 140 days period. In addition, changes in total soil N and carbon contents were also monitored during the study. Treatments included: PM100, WSR100, PM50 + WSR50, UN100, UN50 + PM50, UN50 + WSR50, UN50 + PM25 + WSR25, and a control (unfertilized). All the amendments were applied on an N-equivalent basis at the rate of 200 mg N kg(-1). Results indicated that a substantial quantity of N had been released from the added amendments into the soil mineral pool and the net cumulative N mineralized varied between 39 and 147 mg N kg(-1), lowest in the WSR and highest in the UN50 + PM50. Significant differences were observed among the amendments and the net mineral N derived from a separate and combined use of PM was greater than the other treatments. The net cumulative N nitrified (NCNN) varied between 16 and 126 mg kg(-1), highest in UN50 + PM50 treatment. On average, percentage conversion of added N into available N by different amendments varied between 21 and 80%, while conversion of applied N into NO3 (-)-N ranged between 9 and 65%, and the treatment UN50 + PM50 displayed the highest N recovery. Urea N when applied alone showed disappearance of 37% N (N unaccounted for) at the end while application of PM and WSR with UN reduced N disappearance and increased N retention in the mineral pool for a longer period. Organic amendments alone or in combination with UN improved organic matter buildup and increased soil N concentration. These results demonstrate the existence of substantial amounts of N reserves present in PM and WSR that can be utilized efficiently and effectively as potential N source for the management of nutrient poor soils and plant growth.

The use of Yucca schidigera and microbial preparation for poultry manure deodorization and hygienization.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of microbial preparation and Yucca schidigera in the removal of odorous volatile compounds from poultry manure as well as to evaluate antimicrobial properties of these amendments. It was demonstrated that the combined treatment of poultry manure (PM) with the microbial preparation and Y. schidigera extract can reduce the concentration of odorants by 58%-73%, depending on the tested compound. When Y. schidigera extract and the microbial preparation were applied at a time interval of 48 h, the deodorization efficiency was improved by 6-24%. Furthermore, Y. schidigera extract has antimicrobial properties, which affect poultry manure hygienization. It was found that when the microbial preparation was enriched with Lactobacillus plantarum, it became insensitive to the antimicrobial properties of Y. schidigera.

Bioenergy crops grown for hyperaccumulation of phosphorous in the Delmarva Peninsula and their biofuels potential.

Herbaceous bioenergy crops, including sorghum, switchgrass, and miscanthus, were evaluated for their potential as phytoremediators for the uptake of phosphorus in the Delmarva Peninsula and their subsequent conversion to biofuel intermediates (bio-oil) by fast pyrolysis using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Four cultivars of sorghum, five cultivars of switchgrass and one miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) were grown in soils with two different levels of poultry manure (PM) applications. Little variation was seen in phosphorus uptake in the two different soils indicating that the levels of available phosphorus in the soil already saturated the uptake ability of the plants. However, all plants regardless of trial took up more phosphorus than that measured for the non- PM treated control. Sorghum accumulated greater levels of nutrients including phosphorus and potassium compared to switchgrass and miscanthus. The levels of these nutrients in the biomass did not have an effect on carbohydrate contents. However, the potential yield and composition of bio-oil from fast pyrolysis were affected by both agronomics and differences in mineral concentrations.

Removal of odorous compounds from poultry manure by microorganisms on perlite--bentonite carrier.

Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted using poultry manure (PM) from a laying hen farm. Six strains of bacteria and one strain of yeast, selected on the base of the previous study, were investigated to evaluate their activity in the removal of odorous compounds from poultry manure: pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii LOCK 0272, Bacillus megaterium LOCK 0963, Pseudomonas sp. LOCK 0961, Psychrobacter faecalis LOCK 0965, Leuconostoc mesenteroides LOCK 0964, Streptomyces violaceoruber LOCK 0967, and Candida inconspicua LOCK 0272 were suspended in water solution and applied for PM deodorization. The most active strains in the removal of volatile odorous compounds (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, isobutyric acid) belonged to B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii, L. mesenteroides, C. inconspicua, and P. faecalis. In the next series of experiments, a mixed culture of all tested strains was immobilized on a mineral carrier being a mixture of perlite and bentonite (20:80 by weight). That mixed culture applied for PM deodorization was particularly active against ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which were removed from the exhaust gas by 20.8% and 17.5%, respectively. The experiments also showed that during deodorization the microorganisms could reduce the concentrations of proteins and amino acids in PM. In particular, the mixed culture was active against cysteine and methionine, which were removed from PM by around 45% within 24 h of deodorization.

Nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from anaerobic co-digestion residues of poultry manure and maize silage via struvite precipitation.

Anaerobic digestion is commonly used for the stabilization of agricultural and animal wastes. However, owing to the stringent environmental criteria, anaerobic digester effluents need to be further treated to reduce nutrient loads to the receiving water bodies. Struvite precipitation is one of the promising techniques applied for this purpose. Yet, in the majority of cases, struvite precipitation is only applied to the liquid phase of anaerobic digester effluents. This study investigated the recovery of nutrients from both the liquid and the solid phases of the phase-separated effluent of a full-scale biogas plant co-digesting poultry manure and maize silage. Struvite precipitation in the liquid phase led to 72.1% and 95.1% average removal efficiencies of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) and orthophosphate respectively. Changing the external phosphorus source did not make any statistically significant difference in nutrient removal. An acidic phosphorus-dissolution process was applied to the solid phase sample to obtain a phosphorus-enriched solution. More than 90.0% of both NH4-N and PO4-P were recovered from the phosphorus-enriched solution with the amendments of magnesium and phosphorus. In the experiments performed without any addition of external magnesium- and phosphorus-containing chemicals, almost complete (99.6%) PO4-P recovery and partial (14.6%) NH4-N recovery were obtained. The results of this study could contribute to the understanding of nutrient recovery from anaerobic digestion residues of manure and agricultural wastes by struvite precipitation.