Compost tea as soil drench: an alternative approach to control bacterial wilt in brinjal

An experiment was conducted in the field laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, to evaluate the efficacy of compost tea and poultry litter extract along with their economic feasibility of their usage in controlling bacterial wilt of brinjal under natural incidence condition. A significant variation was observed among the treatments on the incidence and severity of bacterial wilt in brinjal. The results showed that the lowest wilt incidence was recorded in T₂ (Compost tea as soil drenching), T₅ (Poultry litter as soil application) and T₆ (IPM Lab Biopesticide as soil application) while the highest wilt incidence was recorded in control treatment in both counting periods. Similar trend regarding the performance of these treatments was observed on the bacterial wilt severity of brinjal. The effects of compost tea and poultry litter extract on the growth and yield parameters of eggplant were observed to be significant. The results revealed that plant height, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per ha were recorded as maximum in T₂ (Compost tea as soil drenching), followed by T₅ (Poultry litter as soil application) and T₆ (IPM Lab Biopesticide as soil application), while the minimum plant height, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield were recorded in control treatment (T₁). The other treatments showed significant effect in increasing all the growth and yield parameters of brinjal as compared to control. Benefit cost analyses (BCR) showed that T₆ (IPM Lab Biopesticide as soil application) resulted in the highest BCR (99.21) as compared to control, followed by T₇ (BAU-Biofungicide as foliar spray) and T₂ (Compost tea as soil drenching) with BCR 35.7 and 19.5, respectively. The results indicated that an investment of Tk. 1.00 may lead to a profit up to Tk. 99.21 by soil application of IPM Lab Biopesticide which gave the maximum profit in the present study. T₇ (BAU-Biofungicide as foliar spray) followed T₂ (Compost tea as soil drenching) where the investment Tk. 1.00 returned a profit of Tk. 35.70 and Tk. 19.5, respectively. Soil drenching of compost tea showed comparatively lower BCR but the highest percent increase of gross margin was obtained when compost tea was applied as soil drench (T₂). Therefore, it may be concluded that soil drenching of compost tea may be an alternative approach to control bacterial wilt of brinjal along with other possible organic amendments.     

Soil quality and barley growth as influenced by the land application of two compost types

Agricultural use of organic residues offers an attractive method for their safe disposal and a valuable source of organic amendments and nutrients. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of 0, 25, 50 and 100 t/ha spent mushroom compost (SMC), forced aeration compost (FAC) and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare). The considered soil properties (0-15 cm), after a growing season, included pH, EC, available P, Kjeldahl N, available cations, DTPA extractable elements, soil OC content, and bulk density and grain yield was also determined. Application of organic materials increased organic status of the soil and nutrient content. The effectiveness of the two composts on improving the productivity of the soil varied. SMC produced strongest correlations between soil nutrient levels and plant yield. Neither compost raised soil copper and zinc to levels that were of concern and high application rates decreased iron content.     

Effect of different organic manures/composts on the herbage and essential oil yield of Cymbopogon winterianus and their influence on the native AM population in a marginal alfisol

Four organic amendments: leaf compost (LC), vegetable compost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and sewage sludge (SSL) applied at four doses (40, 80, 100 and 120 tha(-1)) were evaluated for their effect on the herbage yield, essential oil content and inoculum potential (IP) of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on three varieties of Java citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Manjusha, Mandakini, and Bio-13). PM applied at 100 t ha(-1) followed by SSL increased the herbage, essential oil content and dry matter yield significantly. Bio-13 performed better and produced the highest herbage, essential oil and dry matter yield. The type and dose of the various organic amendments also significantly influenced the indigenous AMF infectious propagules in soil. Highest number of AMF propagules were recorded in the LC amended plots in all the three varieties. Amongst the varieties, highest native mycorrhizal inoculum was recorded in the Bio-13. Least number of AM infectious propagules were recorded in the Mandakini plants grown in 40 t ha(-1) SSL.     

Biochar co-compost improves nitrogen retention and reduces carbon emissions in a winter wheat cropping system

Organic amendments, such as compost and biochar, mitigate the environmental burdens associated with wasting organic resources and close nutrient loops by capturing, transforming, and resupplying nutrients to soils. While compost or biochar application to soil can enhance an agroecosystem's capacity to store carbon and produce food, there have been few field studies investigating the agroecological impacts of amending soil with biochar co-compost, produced through the composting of nitrogen-rich organic material, such as manure, with carbon-rich biochar. Here, we examine the impact of biochar co-compost on soil properties and processes by conducting a field study in which we compare the environmental and agronomic impacts associated with the amendment of either dairy manure co-composted with biochar, dairy manure compost, or biochar to soils in a winter wheat cropping system. Organic amendments were applied at equivalent C rates (8 Mg C ha⁻¹). We found that all three treatments significantly increased soil water holding capacity and total plant biomass relative to the no-amendment control. Soils amended with biochar or biochar co-compost resulted in significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the compost or control soils. Biochar co-compost also resulted in a significant reduction in nutrient leaching relative to the application of biochar alone or compost alone. Our results suggest that biochar co-composting could optimize organic resource recycling for climate change mitigation and agricultural productivity while minimizing nutrient losses from agroecosystems.     

猕猴桃(Actinidia Lindl.)叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性研究

以猕猴桃属中华猕猴桃（Actinidia chinensis）32个品种和1个种间杂交后代群体为研究对象,对猕猴桃属植物叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性进行了研究。结果表明,在中华猕猴桃种内水平上,幼果与成熟果实的果肉维生素C含量间存在极显著的正相关关系;在种间杂交后代群体中成熟叶片和成熟果实的维生素C含量存在极显著正相关关系,为利用早期相关性状开展猕猴桃育种的可行性提供了理论依据。此外,对15个常见中华猕猴桃品种的果实维生素C含量进行了多重比较,为人工杂交时的亲本选择提供了依据。     

Effects of pulp mill solids and three composts on early growth of tomatoes

Compost has been proposed as a means of simultaneously diverting organic materials from landfills while producing a valuable product that improves tilth, organic matter content and nutrient supply of agricultural soils. Composts manufactured from different source materials may have markedly different properties however, even if they meet all regulatory requirements. We compared the capacity of composts made from three different combinations of organic wastes (horse manure and bedding, mink farm wastes, municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage sludge) along with clarifier solids from a chemo-thermomechanical pulp mill, to enhance the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings grown in nutrient-poor organic potting soil. Germination and seedling emergence of tomatoes, cress (Lapidium sativum L.) or radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were tested to assess phytotoxicity of the four amendments. Mink farm compost and horse manure compost stimulated root and shoot growth of tomato seedlings but MSW compost and pulp mill solids were strongly inhibitory. MSW compost and unamended potting soil also inhibited seedling emergence and pulp mill solids produced stunting and deformities in radish and cress seedlings. Both toxic constituents and nutrient imbalances may be responsible for the growth-inhibiting effects of these amendments. Application of pulp mill solids to agricultural soil without composting may lead to deleterious effects on vegetable crops.     

控制性分根交替灌溉下氮形态对番茄生长、果实产量及品质的影响

以高产大果型西红柿品种中研988为材料,采用分根培养的方法,研究了控制性分根交替灌溉(APRI)条件下,不同氮素形态(硝态氮、铵态氮)对番茄生长、产量及果实品质的影响.结果表明: 同一灌溉方式或下限处理下,铵态氮对番茄植株前期生长有利,而硝态氮促进番茄植株后期生长,并促进果实产量增加.在APRI同一灌水下限下,硝态氮处理可提高果实维生素C含量及糖酸比,提高营养品质.同一氮素形态供应下,APRI番茄的株高和叶面积均小于正常灌溉(CK),但灌水下限为60%田间持水量(θ_f)的APRI处理番茄茎粗在生长后期有所增加.在同一氮素形态下,与CK相比,APRI各处理的产量均下降,其中灌水下限在40%θ_f的APRI处理产量下降了22.4%～26.3%;而灌水下限在60% θ_f的APRI处理仅下降了5.3%～5.4%,下降幅度相对较小,而品质显著提高,并具有明显的节水效果.因此,控制灌水下限在60%θ_f、供应硝态氮的APRI处理为番茄高产、优质、节水的最佳处理.
     

猕猴桃(Actinidia Lindl.)叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性研究

以猕猴桃属中华猕猴桃(Actinidia chinensis)32个品种和1个种间杂交后代群体为研究对象,对猕猴桃属植物叶片与果实维生素C含量的相关性进行了研究。结果表明,在中华猕猴桃种内水平上,幼果与成熟果实的果肉维生素C含量间存在极显著的正相关关系;在种间杂交后代群体中成熟叶片和成熟果实的维生素C含量存在极显著正相关关系,为利用早期相关性状开展猕猴桃育种的可行性提供了理论依据。此外,对15个常见中华猕猴桃品种的果实维生素C含量进行了多重比较,为人工杂交时的亲本选择提供了依据。     

Effect of Organic Residues and Liming Materials on Metal Extraction from a Mining-Contaminated Soil

Incubation tests were used to assess the effectiveness of three different organic residues and three different liming materials, alone or in combination, in the remediation of a mine contaminated soil. The organic residues tested were sewage sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (SS), compost from the organic fraction of unsorted municipal solid waste (MSWC), and garden waste compost (GWC), applied at 100 and 200 Mg ha^{? 1}. The liming materials tested were agriculture limestone (6.4 Mg ha^{? 1}), calcium oxide (3.7 Mg ha^{? 1}), and sugar beet sludge (12.2 Mg ha^{? 1}) from the sugar manufacturing process. The soil and mixtures of soil and amendments were adjusted to 70% of the maximum water holding capacity and incubated for 28 days in a controlled-temperature room at 20°C ± 1°C. At the end of the incubation, samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, CaCl₂-extractable, and' NH4Ac/HAc+ EDTA–extractable metal fractions (Cu, Zn, and Pb). Correlations among the variables and/or similarities among the treatments were identified by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The amendments tested decreased the CaCl₂-extractable Cu and Zn fractions, considered as mobile metal fractions, to below analytical detectable limits, providing organic matter to the soil with levels between 1% and 2% at the end of the experiment, significantly different relatively to the original soil. pH and electrical conductivity reached high values when using 200 Mg ha^{? 1} SS or 200 Mg ha^{? 1} MSWC, with any of the liming materials tested, making these application rates excessive for this particular situation. Furthermore, the treatments using MSWC increased the NH4Ac/HAc+ EDTA–extractable Cu, Pb, and Zn fractions, considered as mobilizable metal fractions, as did the 200 Mg ha^{? 1} SS for Pb and Zn. Considering the overall results, the compost made from garden waste decreased metal solubility in the soil and increased soil pH and organic matter content, without the addition of large amounts of soluble salts, and without increasing the mobilizable metal content. Of the organic materials tested, this was the only one that can be considered adequate for remediation of the contaminated soil under study, at the application rates tested.     

Vermicompost derived from mushroom residues improves soil C/P cycling,bacterial community, and fungal abundance

The utilization of agricultural waste organic materials through composting technology has gained significant traction in agricultural production as an effective means of crop nutrient management. However, the differences in the impact of organic amendments prepared by traditional composting and vermicomposting on soil properties still deserve further research. Based on field experiments conducted in greenhouse, compared to chemical fertilizer treatments as control, we utilized traditional compost (OF) and vermicompost (VcF) derived from agricultural organic waste edible mushroom bran and cow manure (2:8). Variations in soil physiochemical properties, activities of soil enzymes related C and P cycling, abundances and diversities of bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS gene at total DNA level were analyzed. Both compost treatments enhanced soil organic carbon, soil total phosphorus, and soil available P content significantly and also increased the activities of soil α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, acid phosphomonoesterase, and alkaline phosphomonoesterase significantly. The above results suggested that soil C and P transformations were stimulated effectively by both organic amendments. OF and VcF increased the fungal ITS absolute abundances significantly while diversity indices of soil bacterial community increased significantly under both treatments. Correlation analysis indicated that bacterial community composition was strongly correlated with several soil property indexes while fungal community composition was only significantly correlated with soil total phosphorous content. In conclusion, similar to traditional compost, vermicompost significantly improved soil nutrient cycling (especially C and P aspects). In terms of soil microbes, bacteria and fungi showed different responding mechanism to vermicompost: bacteria adjust microbial structure, while fungi tend to proliferated. In consideration of the advantages of vermicompost in technology and economic cost, it could be applied in the subsequent agricultural production more frequently.     

日光温室蔬菜残株堆腐后还田对根区土壤环境及蔬菜产量的影响

为了探究设施蔬菜收获后剩余残株合理利用的途径,通过温室土壤栽培试验研究了番茄、黄瓜残株堆肥还田(0、15、20、30 t·hm^-2)对土壤性状及蔬菜生长和产量的影响.结果表明: 将番茄、黄瓜残株堆肥处理后还田可降低土壤容重,提高土壤有机质含量、微生物生物量和酶活性,促进蔬菜植株生长,增加蔬菜产量,改善蔬菜营养品质.残株堆肥使用量越多,改善效果越好,且对第二茬春黄瓜的作用效果优于第一茬秋番茄.表明施用蔬菜残株堆肥还田可改善设施蔬菜根区土壤环境,并提高设施蔬菜产量和品质.     

Effect of Compost and Manure Soil Amendments on Nematodes and on Yields of Potato and Barley: A 7-Year Study

A 7-year study located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, examined the influence of compost and manure on crop yield and nematode populations. The compost used in this study consisted of cull waste potatoes, sawdust, and beef manure in a 3:3:1 ratio, respectively. No plant-parasitic nematodes were detected in samples collected from windrow compost piles at 5- and 30-cm depths prior to application on field plots. Low population densities of bacterial-feeding nematodes were recovered from compost windrows at the 5-cm depth. Field plots of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Kennebec) received compost applied at 16 metric tonnes per hectare, or beef manure applied at 12 metric tonnes per hectare. An adjacent trial with barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Mic Mac) received only the compost treatment. In both trials the experimental design was a complete randomized block with four replicates. Data averaged over seven growing seasons indicated that population levels of root-lesion nematodes (primarily Pratylenchus penetrans) were higher in root-zone soil in potato plots treated with either compost or manure compared to the untreated control plots. The soil amendments did not affect root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) population densities in the potato plots, but clover-cyst nematodes (Heterodera trifolii) were more numerous in the root-zone soils of barley treated with compost compared to the untreated plots. Numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes (primarily Diplogaster lheritieri) were greater in soil in potato plots treated with manure and in soil around barley roots than in untreated plots. Total yields of potato tubers averaged over seven growing seasons increased by 27% in the plots treated with either compost or manure. Grain yields of barley also were increased by 12% when compost was applied. These results indicated that organic amendments increased crop yields, but the impacts on different nematode species varied and usually increased soil population levels.     

Effects of community-accessible biochar and compost on diesel-contaminated soil

Petroleum pollution is a global problem that requires effective and accessible remediation strategies that takes ecosystem functioning into serious consideration. Bioremediation can be an effective tool to address the challenge. In this study, we used a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the effects of locally sourced and community produced biochar and compost amendments on diesel-contaminated soil. At the end of the 90-day experiment, we quantified the effects of the amendments on total petroleum hydrocarbons (C9-C40) (TPH) and soil pH, organic matter, aggregate stability, soil respiration, extractable phosphorus, extractable potassium, and micronutrients (Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn). We observed significantly higher TPH degradation in compost-amended soils than in controls and soils amended with biochar. We propose that the addition of compost improved TPH biodegradation by augmenting soil nutrient content and microbial activity. Our results suggest that community-accessible compost can improve TPH biodegradation, and that implementation is possible at the community level.     

Changes in the speciation,partitioning and phytoavailability of chromium induced by organic soil amendments

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of two organic amendments (compost of cattle ruminai content and Sphagnum-moss peat) on the reduction of hexavalent chromium and the distribution of this metal among the main solid phases of a soil with low organic matter content treated with different levels of Cr(VI) (0–2000 mg Cr kg^?1 soil). At the same level of added organic carbon, the peat reduced Cr(VI) added to the soil from 250 to 2000 mg kg^?1, with 100% efficiency. The reduction efficiency of the compost, however, decreased with the increasing dose of Cr(VI) soil. The distribution of Cr between the different soil components was evaluated by a sequential chemical extraction procedure. The concentration of water-soluble and exchangeable Cr decreased with the addition of organic amendments to the soil, whereas Cr increased in the organic fraction. The effect of added organic material on the Cr absorption was examined with two ornamental plants (Melissa officinalis and Begonia semperflorens). The increased Cr(VI) in the soil increased the Cr concentration in plant tissues. The addition of organic matter produced a greater aerial biomass for each level of added Cr in comparison with unamended soil. Sphagnum moss peat was more effective than the compost to decrease the total Cr and the Cr(VI) concentration in the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction of soil, thereby reducing the Cr accumulation in plants tissues and phytotoxic symptoms.     

丛枝菌根真菌对盐胁迫下黄瓜植株生长、果实产量和品质的影响

采用有机基质栽培,选用盐敏感黄瓜品种‘津春2号’为试验材料,研究了丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对盐胁迫下黄瓜植株生长、矿质营养吸收、果实品质和产量的影响.结果表明：接种AMF可以有效促进黄瓜植株生长和对矿质营养的吸收,提高果实产量和改善蔬菜营养品质;盐胁迫下,黄瓜生长受到抑制,植株体内N、P、K、Cu、Zn含量减少和K⁺/Na⁺降低,果实产量和可溶性蛋白、总糖、Vc、硝酸盐含量下降;接种AMF可缓解盐胁迫对黄瓜生长的抑制作用,使植株体内N、P、K、Cu和Zn含量分别比对照提高7.3%、11.7%、28.2%、13.5%和9.9%,K⁺/Na⁺、果实产量、可溶性蛋白、总糖、Vc含量明显提高,果实硝酸盐含量显著降低.表明AMF可通过促进盐胁迫下黄瓜植株对矿质营养的吸收,促进植株生长,增强植株对盐胁迫的耐性,进而提高其产量和改善营养品质.     

Microbiological community analysis of vermicompost tea and its influence on the growth of vegetables and cereals

Vermicompost, the digestion product of organic material by earthworms, has been widely reported to have a more positive effect on plant growth and plant health than conventional compost. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different vermicompost elutriates (aerated compost teas) on soils and plant growth. The teas were analyzed by chemical, microbiological, and molecular methods accompanied by plant growth tests at laboratory and field scale. The number of microorganisms in the teas increased during the extraction process and was affected by substrate addition. The vermicompost tea found to increase plant growth best under laboratory tests was applied to cereals (wheat and barley) and vegetables (Raphanus sativus, Rucola selvatica, and Pisum sativum) in a field study. The results revealed no effects of tea application on plant yield; however, sensoric tests indicated an improvement in crop quality. The soils from laboratory and field studies were investigated to detect possible microbial or chemical changes. The results indicated that minor changes to the soil microbial community occurred following tea application by foliar spray in both the laboratory-scale and field-scale experiments.     

The effects of olive mill waste compost and poultry manure on the availability and plant uptake of nutrients in a highly saline soil

The effects of a compost (produced from by-products of the olive oil industry) and a poultry manure on mineral ion solubility and exchangeability in a highly saline agricultural soil (electrical conductivity for a 1:5 soil:water extract=1.85 dS m(-1)) from Murcia (SE Spain) were studied. The organic amendments did not change significantly the soil electrical conductivity or the soluble Na(+), Ca(2+) or Mg(2+). Only soluble K(+) increased, due to the K(+) supplied by the amendments. The cation exchange capacity increased in treated soils, the exchange complex being mainly saturated with Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and K(+). However, Na(+) was not retained in the exchange sites, and the sodium absorption ratio remained low. The compost and manure increased markedly the shoot growth of the salt-tolerant Beta maritima L. (sea beet) and Beta vulgaris L. (sugar beet). For B. maritima, this seemed to be related to decreases in the shoot concentrations of Na(+) and Cl(-) and increases in K(+) and H(2)PO(4)(-). In the case of B. vulgaris, increases in shoot H(2)PO(4)(-) and B and, for manure-treated soil, a decrease in shoot Na(+) may have been involved. Cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Moneymaker) in the soil used previously for B. vulgaris indicated that the effects of the manure on tissue cation concentrations were longer-lasting than those of the compost.     

Using aerated compost tea in comparison with a chemical pesticide for controlling rose powdery mildew

Rose powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae) is one of the most common foliar diseases of roses worldwide. Application of chemical products on the plant or in the soil kills a range of the beneficial micro-organisms thereby disturbing ecosystem. Compost tea helps to restore and increase the populations of those beneficial micro-organisms. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the comparison of biopesticide (compost tea) and a chemical pesticide. The experiment was performed in three treatments, which were compost tea, fungicide (Topaz) and no treatment in three replications. After foliar applications of biopesticide and fungicide, the control percentage was estimated based on the number of infected flowers with powdery mildew. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between these treatments on rose in controlling powdery mildew (F?=?23.25, p?=?0.0015, df?=?2), at a probability level of 1% (p???0.01). So, that control percentage of compost tea treatment was the most.     

Weed seed bank response to 12 years of different fertilization systems

Fertilizer amendments can impact weed populations in a variety of ways. This study evaluated the effects of 12 year-long applications of different fertilization systems on size and composition of the weed seed bank in a conventionally managed maize monoculture field. Fertilization systems included all factorial combinations of two dairy cattle slurry rates, three vegetable, fruit and garden waste (VFG) compost rates, and three synthetic N fertilizer rates. Soil samples were taken in each subplot in May 2008 after sowing and prior to herbicide application. Residues recovered from soil samples were tested for weed seedling emergence to characterize soil seed banks. Total weed seed bank density was affected by mineral N fertilization but not by compost or animal slurry application. Weed seed bank composition was related to compost amendment and mineral N fertilization. Annual compost amendments reduced seed bank density of some persistent species (e.g., Chenopodium album and Solanum nigrum) irrespective of mineral N fertilization. Compost is a promising tool for incorporation into integrated weed control strategies aimed at reducing weed seed bank persistence.     

Characterization of different compost extracts using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis

Compost extract or “compost tea” is a liquid extract of compost obtained by mixing compost and water for a defined period of time. Compost tea contains nutrients and a range of different organisms and is applied to the soil or directly to plants with the principal aim of suppressing certain plant diseases. In addition, the application of compost tea supplies nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are two widely applied analytical techniques for establishing the stability of compost, and although numerous studies have evaluated the capacity of compost tea to suppress plant diseases, there are no studies employing these techniques to characterize compost-tea. For the present study, 12 compost extracts were produced under varying conditions in a purpose-built reactor. Two different composts, an stable compost produced from manure and an unstable compost produced from municipal solid waste, respectively, two aeration systems (aerated and non-aerated extracts) and three temperatures (10, 20 and 30°C) were used in these experiments. The extracts were freeze-dried and subsequently analysed, together with the two composts, by means of FTIR and thermal analysis. Extracts produced from high stability compost, independently of the conditions of aeration and temperature, showed very similar results. In contrast, differences among extracts produced from the unstable compost were more noticeable. However, the different conditions of aeration and temperature during the production of the extracts only explained partially these differences, since the transformations undergone by compost over the 3 months that the experiments lasted were also reflected in the composition of the extracts. In spite of everything, extraction process favoured the degradation of easily oxidizable organic matter, which was more abundant in unstable compost. This degradation was more intense for non-aerated processes, probably due to the longer duration of these (10 days) with respect to aerated extractions (2 days). The effect of temperature was not clear in these experiments, although high temperatures could increase micro organism activity and consequently favour the degradation of easily oxidizable organic matter.