Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production

Abstract Purpose This study assessed changes in bio-quality indices and plant available P released during aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mix ratios of non-reactive ground phosphate rock (GPR) with poultry and cattle manures. Methods Aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mi...

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Main Authors: F. R. Kutu, T. J. Mokase, O. A. Dada, O. H. J. Rhode
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: OICC Press 2018-11-01
Series:International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
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Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40093-018-0231-9
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author F. R. Kutu
T. J. Mokase
O. A. Dada
O. H. J. Rhode
author_facet F. R. Kutu
T. J. Mokase
O. A. Dada
O. H. J. Rhode
author_sort F. R. Kutu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose This study assessed changes in bio-quality indices and plant available P released during aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mix ratios of non-reactive ground phosphate rock (GPR) with poultry and cattle manures. Methods Aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mix ratios (5:5, 8:2, 7:3 and 9:1) of non-reactive GPR with poultry and cattle manures was carried out. Compost piles without GPR addition were included as control. Compost samples were taken at mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling–stabilization and maturing phases for microbial counts, enzyme activities and P assessment. Results Abundance of different microbial groups across the composting phases varied greatly (p < 0.001) mostly dominated by fungi that was generally more in the cattle than poultry manure-based phospho-composts. Fungi and actinomycetes counts in the composts were positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase. A strong inter-correlation between β-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase (r = 1.000, p < 0.001) was observed, suggesting that both enzymes possess same origin. Alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase contents in the phospho-composts showed negative correlation with water soluble P (r = − 0.65, p < 0.001), and Bray P1 and Fe–P contents (r = − 0.15, p > 0.05) indicating inhibition of the P forms. Quantitatively higher P was obtained from poultry manure-based phospho-compost and in the 8:2 mix ratio at compost maturity. Microbial diversity and enzyme activity exerted positive impact on P mineralization and availability from the non-reactive GPR signifying the beneficial effect of co-composting. Conclusions Co-composting of P-rich non-reactive GPR with organic wastes containing variable chemical composition promotes microbial diversity during composting and increases plant available P content and compost fertilizer value.
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spelling doaj-art-19d68124cd4c412fa0a96a9ba844a01f2025-02-03T10:42:40ZengOICC PressInternational Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture2195-32282251-77152018-11-0181879710.1007/s40093-018-0231-9Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost productionF. R. Kutu0T. J. Mokase1O. A. Dada2O. H. J. Rhode3School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of MpumalangaDepartment of Production, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of LimpopoFood Security and Safety Niche Research Group, North-West University Mafikeng CampusAgricultural Research Council-Grain Crops InstituteAbstract Purpose This study assessed changes in bio-quality indices and plant available P released during aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mix ratios of non-reactive ground phosphate rock (GPR) with poultry and cattle manures. Methods Aerobic–thermophilic co-composting of different mix ratios (5:5, 8:2, 7:3 and 9:1) of non-reactive GPR with poultry and cattle manures was carried out. Compost piles without GPR addition were included as control. Compost samples were taken at mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling–stabilization and maturing phases for microbial counts, enzyme activities and P assessment. Results Abundance of different microbial groups across the composting phases varied greatly (p < 0.001) mostly dominated by fungi that was generally more in the cattle than poultry manure-based phospho-composts. Fungi and actinomycetes counts in the composts were positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase. A strong inter-correlation between β-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase (r = 1.000, p < 0.001) was observed, suggesting that both enzymes possess same origin. Alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase contents in the phospho-composts showed negative correlation with water soluble P (r = − 0.65, p < 0.001), and Bray P1 and Fe–P contents (r = − 0.15, p > 0.05) indicating inhibition of the P forms. Quantitatively higher P was obtained from poultry manure-based phospho-compost and in the 8:2 mix ratio at compost maturity. Microbial diversity and enzyme activity exerted positive impact on P mineralization and availability from the non-reactive GPR signifying the beneficial effect of co-composting. Conclusions Co-composting of P-rich non-reactive GPR with organic wastes containing variable chemical composition promotes microbial diversity during composting and increases plant available P content and compost fertilizer value.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40093-018-0231-9Phospho-compostCompost bio-quality indicesEnzyme activitiesAvailable PNon-reactive phosphate rock
spellingShingle F. R. Kutu
T. J. Mokase
O. A. Dada
O. H. J. Rhode
Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Phospho-compost
Compost bio-quality indices
Enzyme activities
Available P
Non-reactive phosphate rock
title Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
title_full Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
title_fullStr Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
title_full_unstemmed Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
title_short Assessing microbial population dynamics, enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho-compost production
title_sort assessing microbial population dynamics enzyme activities and phosphorus availability indices during phospho compost production
topic Phospho-compost
Compost bio-quality indices
Enzyme activities
Available P
Non-reactive phosphate rock
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40093-018-0231-9
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AT ohjrhode assessingmicrobialpopulationdynamicsenzymeactivitiesandphosphorusavailabilityindicesduringphosphocompostproduction