赤子爱胜蚓和毛利远盲蚓对添加造纸污泥土壤的化学和生物学特征的影响

将赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)和毛利远盲蚓(Amynthas morrisi)接种于混合15%造纸污泥的旱地土和水稻土中,研究不同蚯蚓对不同混合污泥土壤的化学和生物学性状的作用。主成分分析结果显示蚯蚓对混合污泥土壤化学和生物学性质影响与土壤类型和蚯蚓种间差异密切相关(P0.05)。方差分析结果显示:(1)在混合污泥旱地土处理中,与对照相比,E.foetida处理的混合污泥土壤pH和Eh分别显著降低了0.22和13个单位(P0.05),有机碳和微生物量碳含量,以及过氧化氢酶,N-乙酰-氨基葡萄糖苷酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性分别降低了22.8%、43.8%、12.4%、48.4%、44.0%和40.7%(P0.05),而荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性增加了57.4%(P0.05);A.morrisi处理的混合污泥土壤碱解氮含量、过氧化氢酶、N-乙酰-氨基葡萄糖苷酶和脲酶活性分别明显下降了16.5%,12.4%、33.9%和45.5%(P0.05)。另外,两种蚯蚓相比较,E.foetida活动后混合污泥旱地土壤pH和Eh值、有机碳含量和碳氮比分别比A.morrisi活动后土壤降低0.17和10个单位、24.9%和2.26个单位,而代谢熵和荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性显著增高(P0.05)。(2)在混合污泥水稻土处理中,与对照相比,E.foetida处理的混合土壤有机碳含量和碳氮比显著提高20.9%和1.02个单位(P0.05),全钾含量和呼吸速率明显降低6.11%和33.8%(P0.05);而与对照相比,A.morrisi处理的混合土壤的速效钾含量和过氧化氢酶活性显著提高13.2%和10.8%(P0.05),但β-葡萄糖苷酶和荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性分别下降46.7%和34.4%(P0.05)。两种蚯蚓相比较,E.foetida处理后混合污泥水稻土的有机碳含量比A.morrisi处理显著增加了15.7%,碳氮比增加0.84个单位,速效钾、呼吸速率和过氧化氢酶活性减少11.4%、36.5%和5.51%(P0.05)。综上所述,蚯蚓能显著影响混合造纸污泥土壤的化学和生物学特征。蚯蚓在高有机碳和低粘粒含量旱地土壤中活动,能够加速有机碳的分解和释放,降低与土壤有机质分解和养分转化相关的酶活性和微生物量,但增加微生物总体活性;而蚯蚓在低有机碳和高粘粒含量水稻土壤中活动,则能够有助于土壤有机碳储存,对养分和微生物活性的影响相对较小。与A.morrisi相比较,E.foetida对混合污泥旱地土有机碳的分解和释放、微生物活性的提高,以及混合污泥水稻土有机碳的储存等方面的能力均较强,而对混合污泥水稻土钾素转化能力相对较弱。由于造纸污泥具有高有机碳和低养分含量特征,因此污泥农用仍需考虑按一定比例配施高养分含量有机物料。同时,进一步根据土壤类型和选择适宜的蚯蚓品种进行较长期的小区和大田试验,将能够为污泥农用提供更多科学参考。     

长期施肥对双季稻田土壤微生物学特性的影响

为探明不同施肥处理对早稻和晚稻各个生育时期稻田土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和微生物熵的影响,以湖南宁乡长期定位试验为平台,应用氯仿熏蒸-K_2SO_4提取法和化学分析法系统分析了定位长达29年5种施肥处理之间(化肥、秸秆还田+化肥、30%有机肥+70%化肥、60%有机肥+40%化肥和无肥)双季稻田土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和微生物熵的差异。结果表明,早稻和晚稻各主要生育时期,长期施肥均能提高土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量和微生物熵,各施肥处理土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量和微生物熵均随水稻生育期推进呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,均于齐穗期达到最大值,成熟期达到最低值;其中,以60%有机肥和30%有机肥处理双季稻田土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量和微生物熵均为最高,均显著高于其他处理,其大小顺序表现为60%有机肥30%有机肥秸秆还田化肥无肥。长期有机无机配施可以提高土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和微生物熵,有机肥与化肥配施对提高土壤肥力效果最好。土壤微生物生物量碳、氮及微生物熵可以反映土壤质量的变化,可作为评价土壤肥力的生物学指标。     

蚂蚁筑巢对西双版纳热带森林土壤微生物生物量碳及熵的影响

蚂蚁筑巢能够改变热带森林土壤理化环境,从而对土壤微生物生物量碳及熵的时空动态产生重要影响.本研究以西双版纳高檐蒲桃热带森林群落为对象,采用氯仿熏蒸法对蚂蚁巢地和非巢地土壤微生物生物量碳及熵时空动态进行测定.结果表明: 1)蚁巢地平均微生物生物量碳及熵(1.95 g·kg^-1,6.8%)显著高于非巢穴(1.76 g·kg^-1,5.1%);蚁巢地和非蚁巢地土壤微生物生物量碳呈单峰型时间变化趋势,而土壤微生物熵呈“V”型变化格局.2)蚁巢地和非巢地土壤微生物生物量碳及熵均具有明显的垂直变化:微生物生物量碳随土层加深显著降低,微生物熵则沿土层加深显著升高,但蚁巢微生物生物量碳及熵的垂直变化较非巢穴显著. 3)蚂蚁筑巢引起了巢内水分和温度的显著改变,进而影响土壤微生物生物量碳及熵的时空动态.土壤水分分别解释微生物生物量碳及熵的66%～83%和54%～69%,而土壤温度分别解释土壤微生物生物量碳及熵的71%～86%和67%～76%. 4)蚂蚁筑巢引起土壤理化性质变化对土壤微生物生物量碳和熵产生重要影响.蚁巢土壤微生物生物量碳与土壤有机碳、温度、全氮、含水率呈极显著正相关,与容重、硝态氮,水解氮呈显著正相关,与土壤pH呈极显著负相关;除土壤微生物熵与pH呈显著正相关外,与其他土壤理化指标均呈显著负相关.土壤总有机碳、全氮和温度对微生物生物量碳的贡献最大,而土壤总有机碳和全氮对微生物熵的负作用最小.因此,蚂蚁筑巢能够显著改变微生境(如土壤水分与温度)及土壤理化性质(如总有机碳及全氮),进而调控热带森林土壤微生物生物量碳及熵的时空动态.     

长期模拟升温对崇明东滩湿地土壤微生物生物量的影响

以崇明东滩芦苇湿地为对象,采用开顶室生长箱(Open top chambers OTCs)原位模拟大气升温试验,研究了连续升温8a对崇明东滩湿地0—40cm土层土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量的影响。结果表明:连续升温显著提高了崇明东滩湿地土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量,从土壤表层到深层(0—10,10—20,20—30,30—40cm),微生物生物量碳分别增加了39.32%、70.79%、65.20%、74.09%,微生物生物量氮分别增加了66.46%、178.27%、47.24%、64.11%。但升温对土壤微生物生物量的影响因不同土层和不同季节并未表现出统一的规律,长期模拟升温显著提高4月0—20cm土层和7月0—40cm土层微生物生物量碳氮含量,对10月0—40cm土层微生物生物量碳含量没有影响,但是显著提高了10月0—40cm土层微生物生物量氮含量,同时,微生物生物量碳氮比在7月也显著提高。相关分析表明:无论在升温条件还是在对照条件下,土壤温度、含水量、总氮与土壤微生物生物量碳氮及微生物生物量碳氮比均无相关关系,升温条件下,有机碳与微生物生物量碳氮含量以及微生物生物量碳氮比呈显著正相关,但是在对照条件下有机碳与微生物生物量碳氮含量以及微生物生物量碳氮比呈显著负相关。因此,土壤有机碳是影响土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量对长期模拟升温响应的重要生态因子。     

鱼蛋白有机液肥对小粉土酶活性和微生物生物量碳、氮的影响

采用恒温土壤培养方法,研究了4种不同鱼蛋白有机液肥施用量[0(对照)、0.5、1.5、2.5 ml·kg-1]条件下小粉土酶活性和微生物生物量碳、氮的变化,及其与土壤养分的相关关系.结果表明:在整个培养过程中,不同鱼蛋白有机液肥施用量处理下土壤pH值变化范围为7.07～7.31,与对照无显著差异;土壤磷酸酶活性显著增强,分别为对照的1.27、1.90、1.96倍;土壤脲酶活性分别比对照提高39.81%、78.06%、173.24%;蛋白酶活性比对照提高56.37%、108.29%、199.98%;土壤微生物生物量碳、氮均随肥料添加量的增加而逐渐增大,分别为对照的1.67、3.95、4.74倍和1.21、2.43、4.06倍.土壤脲酶和蛋白酶活性以及土壤微生物生物量碳、氮在不同施用量处理下达到峰值点的时间不同.土壤磷酸酶、脲酶和蛋白酶活性、土壤微生物生物量碳、氮与土壤养分均呈显著正相关.施用鱼蛋白有机液肥可以显著促进小粉土微生物的生长及酶活性的提高,从而促进土壤有机质的分解转化和速效养分的释放.     

长期施肥对玉米生育期土壤微生物量碳氮及酶活性的影响

以小麦-玉米轮作长期肥料定位试验为平台,探讨不同养分管理对玉米生育期塿土微生物量碳、氮和酶活性动态变化的影响。试验包括6个处理,分别为不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、氮磷配合(NP)、氮磷钾配合(NPK)、NPK+秸秆(SNPK)以及有机肥+NPK(MNPK)。结果表明玉米生育期土壤微生物量碳、氮变化显著。不同施肥管理下土壤微生物量碳、氮的高低显著性分别为MNPK>SNPK、NP、NPK>N、CK。玉米生育期内土壤酶活性也变化显著,蔗糖酶、脲酶和纤维素酶在玉米抽雄期达到活性高峰,而磷酸酶在玉米拔节期出现活性高峰。不同施肥管理对土壤酶活性的影响总体表现为MNPK处理最高,其次为SNPK处理,再次为NPK和NP处理,N和CK处理最低。不同施肥处理间土壤微生物量碳、氮以及酶活性与土壤有机碳、全氮、速效磷水平密切相关。塿土长期施用氮磷或氮磷钾化肥可以提高土壤微生物量碳、氮以及酶活性。一季作物秸秆还田配合氮磷钾化肥与氮磷钾相比有提高土壤微生物量碳、氮以及酶活性的趋势。在等氮量下,有机肥配合化肥与其他施肥模式相比,均显著提升土壤化学肥力因素、微生物量碳氮和酶活性。因此,塿土上建议进行有机无机肥配合以提高土壤肥力,保持土壤生物健康。     

蚯蚓活动对红壤磷素有效性的影响及其活化机理研究

通过盆钵生物试验研究了秉氏环毛蚓(Pheretima pingi.)在红壤基质中对稻草、花生秸、油菜秸3种有机物料分解速率的影响,研究了蚯蚓活动对红壤全磷含量和有效磷含量、对土壤碳水化合物含量、土壤磷酸酶活性的影响。并着重探讨了人工接种蚯蚓提高红壤有效磷的效果及其活化机理。研究结果揭示：①蚯蚓活动促进了有机物料的分解,加速了磷素的生物归还作用;②方差分析示明,在培养期间所有处理的土壤有效磷含量均得到显著或极显著提高;其中有机物料接种蚯蚓的3种处理分别与其不接种蚯蚓的处理的土壤有效磷含量之间差异均达显著水平;③蚯蚓活动有改善红壤酸度状况的趋势,同试验前比较(原土的土壤pH(H2O)=4．34),在培养试验后期,3种物料接种蚯蚓的土壤pH(H2O)值分别提高了0．17单位(稻草接种蚯蚓处理)、0．35单位(油菜秸接种蚯蚓处理)和0．44单位(花生秸接种蚯蚓处理);方差分析显示,花生秸组两处理间和油菜秸组两处理间的土壤pH值的差异达到显著水平。在150d的培养期内,3种有机物料接种蚯蚓的处理与其不接种蚯蚓的处理比较时,土壤pH值的差异亦达到显著水平;④蚯蚓活动增加了土壤碳水化合物含量。方差分析结果显示：3种有机物料接种蚯蚓的处理与不接种蚯蚓处理的土壤碳水化合物含量之间的差异均达到显著水平;⑤蚯蚓活动增强了土壤微生物活性和土壤磷酸酶活性。蚯蚓的吞食、排粪等生理过程改变了土壤微生物种群类型及其数量;蚯蚓活动提高了土壤磷酸酶活性,增加了土壤中有机磷含量,从而提高了土壤有效磷含量。蚯蚓活动及其特殊的生理过程所产生的综合作用使土壤有效磷含量和磷素有效性明显提高。     

采伐剩余物对林地表层土壤生化特性和酶活性的影响

对福建省大武夷山常绿阔叶林野外站三明观测点的35年生米槠天然更新次生林皆伐后采伐剩余物进行不同处理(火烧LB、保留LR)后表层土壤(0—10 cm)主要生化特性、芳香性指数、腐殖化程度以及酶活性进行研究。结果表明:半年后,与LB相比,LR土壤可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮和微生物量碳含量分别增加92%、105%和39%,土壤有效磷含量和代谢熵值下降42%和68%,土壤酸性磷酸酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶活性增加了3.3倍、2.8倍和2.1倍,酚氧化酶活性下降了34%(P0.05)。LR土壤芳香性指数(4.99±2.39)较低,腐殖化指数(1.72±0.01)较高,但与LB均无显著差异(P0.05)。1a后,LB除土壤β-葡萄糖苷酶活性略有降低外,其他3种土壤酶活性较半年前均显著上升。土壤有机碳、全氮、可溶性有机碳氮、有效磷、土壤碳矿化速率和土壤腐殖化指数较半年时显著下降,其中土壤可溶性有机碳含量减少近80%,代谢熵减少近68%(P0.05)。LR土壤芳香性指数(10.58±0.34)较半年前显著增加(P0.05)。处理1a后LB土壤有效磷含量(1.71±0.12)mg/kg显著高于LR,但LR土壤可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮含量和土壤碳矿化速率较LB仍明显更高(P0.05)。可见,采伐剩余物不同处理对森林土壤质量存在不同程度的影响,保留采伐剩余物有利于改善林地水热条件和养分循环,对地力的维持有利。     

生物质炭配施有机物料对贫瘠红壤酶活性和微生物碳源代谢功能的影响

为进一步促进红壤固碳培肥,于2017和2018年通过田间试验研究了两种有机物料(玉米秸秆和羊粪)单施以及与生物质炭配施对贫瘠红壤养分含量、碳转化相关酶活性和微生物底物利用速率的影响。试验设置6个处理,即不施有机物料(对照)、玉米秸秆、羊粪、单施生物质炭、玉米秸秆与生物质炭配施、羊粪与生物质炭配施。结果表明:与对照相比,有机物料施用显著增加了土壤pH值、有机碳、全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量;与单施秸秆和羊粪相比,生物质炭与秸秆或羊粪配施显著增加了土壤有机碳、速效钾和碱解氮含量,但两者无交互效应。与对照相比,有机物料施用显著提高了β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)、纤维二糖水解酶(CB)、β-木聚糖苷酶(XYL)和过氧化物酶(PERO)活性;与单施秸秆相比,生物质炭与秸秆配施处理酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶活性分别显著降低了28.6%、22.2%;与单施羊粪相比,生物质炭与羊粪配施处理α-葡萄糖苷酶(AG)、BG、XYL和PERO活性分别显著降低了46.1%、50.9%、41.6%和31.3%。与对照相比,有机物料施用显著提高了土壤基础呼吸和微生物对碳水化合物的利用速率,而生物质炭配施处理对碳水化合物、羧酸类底物的利用速率存在显著抑制作用。微生物碳源利用速率与BG和PERO活性呈显著正相关。因此,有机物料与生物质炭配施更有利于提高土壤养分含量,降低有机碳分解酶和微生物碳源代谢活性,从而促进红壤固碳培肥,有利于贫瘠红壤的地力提升。     

不同缓释过氧化钙对潜育环境下水稻土微生物特性的影响

为了解不同缓释过氧化钙对潜育化稻田土壤微生物特性的影响,于网室内进行潜育化稻田环境模拟试验,以不施过氧化钙为对照,探究过氧化钙粉末、过氧化钙颗粒与4种不同释氧效果的包膜过氧化钙在早稻分蘖期同等时期对潜育化稻田土壤活性有机碳、有效养分及微生物特性的影响。结果表明: 施用过氧化钙均能提高土壤活性有机碳、有效养分、微生物生物量及可培养微生物数量和酶活性,包膜过氧化钙对土壤微生物和酶活性的改善效果较好,其次依次为过氧化钙颗粒和过氧化钙粉末。包膜过氧化钙处理中,以乙基纤维素包膜效果最好,与不施过氧化钙处理相比,其土壤活性有机碳、微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、微生物生物量磷分别显著提高19.4%、11.4%、121.5%、127.2%,土壤碱解氮和有效磷分别提高4.0%和45.5%;土壤可培养细菌和可培养微生物总量分别显著提高137.3%和113.7%,真菌和放线菌数量分别提高33.6%和44.7%;蔗糖酶、磷酸酶和脲酶活性分别显著提高92.4%、91.8%和112.5%,过氧化氢酶活性提高17.1%。研究结果可为包膜过氧化钙对潜育化稻田改良提供参考。     

湿垃圾来源的蚯蚓粪肥对连作障碍土壤质量和黄瓜产量的影响

随着城市化的发展,湿垃圾产量与日俱增,湿垃圾资源化利用迫在眉睫。利用蚯蚓处理湿垃圾制作蚯蚓粪肥用于农田土壤改良,是一项有效的湿垃圾资源化利用途径以及有利于缓解蔬菜连作障碍方面问题。该文以常规有机肥为参照,选取以湿垃圾及其厌氧沼渣为原料制作的蚯蚓粪肥为研究对象,研究连续3年施加蚯蚓粪肥对黄瓜(Cucumis sativus)土壤综合质量和作物产量的影响。结果表明,经过3年的改良后,施加60.0 t/hm²蚯蚓粪肥的黄瓜产量提高了5.60%,土壤有机质含量提高了50.0%,且蚯蚓粪肥的效果要高于常规有机肥;土壤全氮含量达到最高,高于背景值33.0%;土壤的养分含量(硝态氮、速效磷、速效钾)也得到了提高,其中速效钾含量升高了94.0%。经过3年的改良,土壤中的细菌数量在施加了有机肥后明显增加,其中以添加30.0t/hm²蚯蚓粪肥的细菌数量最多;土壤细菌/真菌的比值有所提高,土壤生物性状得到改善。土壤的呼吸强度随着有机肥的施入而升高,以施加60.0t/hm²蚯蚓粪肥的最大;土壤pH略有降低,盐度无明显变化。因此,湿垃圾来源的蚯蚓...     

Microbial dynamics and enzyme activities during rapid composting of municipal solid waste - a compost maturity analysis perspective

An investigation was carried out in the laboratory to find out the microbial dynamics and enzyme activities during rapid composting of municipal solid waste (MSW). Various treatments such as aeration (A), addition of chemical agents (glucose (G) and acetic acid (AA) and application of cellulolytic microbial (M) inoculum (Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trichoderma reesei) were used to facilitate the decomposition of MSW. The result of the present investigation revealed that the degradation of organic substrates were quick (within 9-12 days) in case of rapid composting as indicated by the reduction (below 20) in C/N ratio. Whereas, normal composting took more than 20 days to attain C/N ratio of below 20. Estimation of selected enzymes (amylase, protease, phosphatase and cellulase) provided information on the substrate specific degradation profiles of various labile substrates contained in organic waste.     

Respirometric screening of several types of manure and mixtures intended for composting

The viability of mixtures from manure and agricultural wastes as composting sources were systematically studied using a physicochemical and biological characterization. The combination of different parameters such as C:N ratio, free air space (FAS) and moisture content can help in the formulation of the mixtures. Nevertheless, the composting process may be challenging, particularly at industrial scales. The results of this study suggest that if the respirometric potential is known, it is possible to predict the behaviour of a full scale composting process. Respiration indices can be used as a tool for determining the suitability of composting as applied to manure and complementary wastes. Accordingly, manure and agricultural wastes with a high potential for composting and some proposed mixtures have been characterized in terms of respiration activity. Specifically, the potential of samples to be composted has been determined by means of the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and the dynamic respirometric index (DRI). During this study, four of these mixtures were composted at full scale in a system consisting of a confined pile with forced aeration. The biological activity was monitored by means of the oxygen uptake rate inside the material (OURinsitu). This new parameter represents the real activity of the process. The comparison between the potential respirometric activities at laboratory scale with the in situ respirometric activity observed at full scale may be a useful tool in the design and optimization of composting systems for manure and other organic agricultural wastes.     

Nutrient changes and biodynamics of epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) during recycling of some agriculture wastes

Potential of an oriental composting earthworm: Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) to decompose waste resources generated from agricultural practices (crop residues, farm yard manure, and cattle dung) was studied for 150days under laboratory conditions. At the end of experiment, all vermibeds showed significant decrease in their organic C content ( approximately 21-29%), while increase in total N ( approximately 91-144%), available P ( approximately 63-105%), and exchangeable K ( approximately 45-90%). P. excavatus showed maximum individual live weight (662.05mg) after 120days in MIXED (mixed crop residues+cow dung in 1:1) substrate. The maximum growth rate (mg worm(-1)day(-1)) was between 3.79+/-0.08 and 2.35+/-0.16 on different substrates. The mean number of cocoon production was between 394.3+/-23.2 and 690.7+/-23.2 for different experimental beddings. MIXED bedding showed maximum reproduction rate (0.23+/-0.004 cocoons worm(-1) day(-1)), whereas farmyard manure bedding (FYM) showed least value (0.15+/-0.002 cocoons worm(-1)day(-1)). During vermicomposting, the total mortality in worms' population was recorded between 0% (in MIXED) and 21.7% (in Jowar straw (Sorghum vulgare)+millet straw (Pennisenum typhoides)+sheep manure in 1:1:2 ratio (JMS)). The waste decomposition and earthworm production was associated strongly with the quality of the substrate, especially with their chemical as well as biological composition.     

Monitoring the biological activity of the composting process: Oxygen uptake rate (OUR), respirometric index (RI), and respiratory quotient (RQ)

Composting of several organic wastes of different chemical composition (source-separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste, dewatered raw sludge, dewatered anaerobically digested sludge and paper sludge) was carried out under controlled conditions to study the suitability of different biological indexes (oxygen uptake rate, respirometric index, and respiratory quotient) to monitor the biological activity of the composting process. Among the indexes tested, oxygen uptake rate (also referred to as dynamic respirometric index) provided the most reliable values of microbial activity in a compost environment. On the other hand, values of the static respirometric index measured at process temperature, especially in the early stages of the composting process, were significantly lower than those of the dynamic index, which was probably due to oxygen diffusion limitations present in static systems. Both static and dynamic indexes were similar during the maturation phase. Static respirometric index measured at 37 degrees C should not be used with samples obtained during the thermophilic phase, since it resulted in an underestimation of the respiration values. Respiratory quotient presented only slight variations when changing the process temperature or the waste considered, and its use should be restricted to ensure aerobic conditions in the composting matrix.     

Effects of Composts from Agroindustrial Wastes on Microbial Activity of a Typic Xerofluvent Soil Under Mediterranean Conditions,SE Turkey

Supplementing the nutrient requirement of crops through organic manures as compost derived from agroindustrial wastes plays a key role in sustaining soil fertility, and crop productivity and reducing use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this work was conducted for investigating the effects of addition of oily cumin compost (CC) and oily oregano compost (OC) (these composts were derived from oily cumin and oily oregano wastes of aromatic plant factory) at rates of 40 t ha^?1 to identify those potential organic amendments that might improve the quality of an Entisol. Additionally, those effects on the biochemical properties of a Typic xerofluvent soil were compared to chemical fertilization (CF) and also control (CT) during a cotton vegetation period under a Mediterranean climatic condition. Soil biological status was evaluated by measuring the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal soil respiration (BSR), N-mineralization (N_min), soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase-DHG, urease-UA, protease-PRO, and alkaline phosphate-ALKPA) in soil samples that were collected on the 19th, 78th and 190th days followed by compost application to the experimental soils. The MBC, BSR and qCO₂, as well as soil enzyme activities, increased significantly in the compost-treated soils compared with the CF-treated soil and nontreated soils (CT) with respect mean values. The level of microbial activity of soil applied chemical fertilizer was almost the same to those of control soil. As a result of cumin compost (CC) application 137-1810% increase of the level of microbial activity with respect to the CT and CF, followed by OC, 47-314% occurred at the end of the experiment. Because of this there were no toxic effects caused by composts observed. The application of these composts to the soil resulted in the most increase in DHG activity significantly. The application of CC with a C/N ratio of 23 resulted a more favorable soil biological properties than the application of OC (C/N ratio = 32) during cotton vegetation period (190 days). Results from this study suggest that composted aromatic plant wastes can be used to enhance the soil microbial activity, thereby promoting plant growth.     

Relationships between biological and chemical parameters on the composting of a municipal solid waste

The aim of this work was to study the combined relationships between biological and chemical parameters with the humification index (HI) and degree of polymerisation (DP) during the composting of a municipal solid waste. During the composting, biological parameters increased during the first 15 days. After the second week, the dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities decreased 64%, 50.1%, 49.6%, 24.1% and 58.3%, respectively, compared with their initial values, possibly due to the decreasing of the water-soluble carbon content (WSC). The WSC contents decreased possibly due to the degradation of the microorganisms as carbon and energy sources. The HI increased (66% compared to the initial values) indicating an increase in the structural complexity of the humic substances. The factorial analysis indicates a relationship between the biological properties, WSC and HI and DP. The linear regression analysis indicates the high correlation coefficients found between the HI and DP with chemical and biological properties, and therefore, it can be concluded that combination of chemical and biological parameters can be used to determine the compost maturity.     

Chemical and biological changes during composting of different organic wastes and assessment of compost maturity

Changes in organic C, total N, C:N ratio, activities of cellulase, xylanase and protease, and microbial population were determined during composting of different organic wastes such as mixture of sugarcane trash and cattle dung, press mud, poultry waste and water hyacinth biomass. There were losses of N in poultry waste and water hyacinth with the effect an initial increase in C:N ratio was observed which decreased later on due to decomposition. The activities of cellulase, xylanase and protease were maximum between 30 and 60 days of composting in various wastes. Similar trend was observed with respect to mesophilic bacterial and fungal population. Various quality parameters like C:N ratio, water soluble C (WSC), CO(2) evolution and level of humic substances were compared after 90 day composting. There was statistically significant correlation between C:N ratio and CO(2) evolution, WSC and humic substances. Significant correlation between CO(2) evolved and level of humic substances was also observed. The study shows that no single parameter can be taken as an index of compost maturity. However, C:N ratio and CO(2) evolved from finished compost can be taken as the most reliable indices of compost maturity.