Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa

Abstract Homemade manure tea (HMT) is commonly used in North Africa to enhance crop yields. Yet their physicochemical and biological characteristics remain poorly understood. This study evaluated oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of three types of HMT (bovine, ovine and poultry based, respectively...

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Main Authors: Miliani Djezzar, Zakia Kaci, Ibrahim Yahiaoui, Crystele Leauthaud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88254-3
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author Miliani Djezzar
Zakia Kaci
Ibrahim Yahiaoui
Crystele Leauthaud
author_facet Miliani Djezzar
Zakia Kaci
Ibrahim Yahiaoui
Crystele Leauthaud
author_sort Miliani Djezzar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Homemade manure tea (HMT) is commonly used in North Africa to enhance crop yields. Yet their physicochemical and biological characteristics remain poorly understood. This study evaluated oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of three types of HMT (bovine, ovine and poultry based, respectively noted HMTb, HMTo, HMTp) and compared them to control solutions of water and water supplemented with soluble NPK fertilizer. For these three types of HMT, oxygen and hydrobiological profiles were measured daily over a 7-day incubation period in three repeated, identical experiments, each comprising randomized treatments and five repetitions per treatment. Our results show that all HMT types rapidly transitioned to hypoxic conditions in the first 24h, shifting to anoxia between day 2 and day 7 depending on HMT type. This anoxic environment promoted denitrification and led to elevated NH4 + concentrations, suggesting the presence of anammox and microaerobic processes. Particulate organic matter contents and bacterial densities were highest in HMTp, while ciliate densities were highest in HMTb. These findings underscore the bioactive potential of HMT as fertilizers, with HMTp showing a favorable nitrogen profile beneficial for agricultural applications. To maintain aerobic conditions longer and reduce nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions, we recommend passive or mechanical aeration, applying HMT during cooler hours, and stabilizing the pH of HMT. This study offers valuable insights to refine HMT preparation protocols, enhancing their use as bioactive fertilizers.
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spelling doaj-art-a9c611101dfc4f0bbe84fed4d4b499a82025-08-20T02:12:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-88254-3Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North AfricaMiliani Djezzar0Zakia Kaci1Ibrahim Yahiaoui2Crystele Leauthaud3ERP Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Djilali Bounaama University of Khemis MilianaERP Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Djilali Bounaama University of Khemis MilianaLMVAAE Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Life Sciences, University Centre Morsli Abdellah of TipazaG-EAU, Agro Paris Tech, Cirad, IRD, INRAE, L’Institut Agro, Univ MontpellierAbstract Homemade manure tea (HMT) is commonly used in North Africa to enhance crop yields. Yet their physicochemical and biological characteristics remain poorly understood. This study evaluated oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of three types of HMT (bovine, ovine and poultry based, respectively noted HMTb, HMTo, HMTp) and compared them to control solutions of water and water supplemented with soluble NPK fertilizer. For these three types of HMT, oxygen and hydrobiological profiles were measured daily over a 7-day incubation period in three repeated, identical experiments, each comprising randomized treatments and five repetitions per treatment. Our results show that all HMT types rapidly transitioned to hypoxic conditions in the first 24h, shifting to anoxia between day 2 and day 7 depending on HMT type. This anoxic environment promoted denitrification and led to elevated NH4 + concentrations, suggesting the presence of anammox and microaerobic processes. Particulate organic matter contents and bacterial densities were highest in HMTp, while ciliate densities were highest in HMTb. These findings underscore the bioactive potential of HMT as fertilizers, with HMTp showing a favorable nitrogen profile beneficial for agricultural applications. To maintain aerobic conditions longer and reduce nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions, we recommend passive or mechanical aeration, applying HMT during cooler hours, and stabilizing the pH of HMT. This study offers valuable insights to refine HMT preparation protocols, enhancing their use as bioactive fertilizers.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88254-3North AfricaManure teaOxygen profilMicraerobiosisAnaerobiosisMicrobiota
spellingShingle Miliani Djezzar
Zakia Kaci
Ibrahim Yahiaoui
Crystele Leauthaud
Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
Scientific Reports
North Africa
Manure tea
Oxygen profil
Micraerobiosis
Anaerobiosis
Microbiota
title Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
title_full Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
title_fullStr Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
title_full_unstemmed Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
title_short Oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure-based tea in North Africa
title_sort oxygen and hydrobiological profiles of homemade manure based tea in north africa
topic North Africa
Manure tea
Oxygen profil
Micraerobiosis
Anaerobiosis
Microbiota
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88254-3
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AT ibrahimyahiaoui oxygenandhydrobiologicalprofilesofhomemademanurebasedteainnorthafrica
AT crysteleleauthaud oxygenandhydrobiologicalprofilesofhomemademanurebasedteainnorthafrica