MICROBIAL GROUPS KINETICS OF COMPOSTING AND VERMICOMPOSTING PROCESSES
There is minimal knowledge about succession of microbial communities in an ecosystem of organic matter-microorganisms-earthworms. Here, the microbial kinetics of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in vermicomposting of cattle manure, market fruit and vegetable residues, and oat straw by-product of Pleurotus mushroom commercial production, were evaluated. Likewise, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrogen and phosphorus content, were determined. Straw presented the most abundant bacterial and fungal populations; market residues showed the highest count of actinomycetes and its bacterial number was close to that of straw; cattle manure had the smallest microbial populations. In general, bacterial and fungal numbers decreased with time. Actinomycetes populations were reduced in straw and agricultural residues, but they were increased in cattle manure. Therefore, a single microbial succession pattern could not be established. Vermicomposts showed smaller actinomycetous (38 %) and fungal (58 %) populations than equivalent composts. The microbial kinetics observed during vermicomposting of these raw materials could be related to the gradual loss of easily decomposable compounds, to the relative increase of more complex chemical compounds and to the synthesis of new compounds, which could be substrates in latter biodegradation processes. The changes in microbial numbers also were a consequence of nutrimental competence and predation interactions among inhabitant organisms of raw materials. Environmental conditions like temperature, pH and EC enhanced some microbial populations and inhibited others.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Colegio de Postgraduados
1999
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| Online Access: | https://www.agrociencia-colpos.org/index.php/agrociencia/article/view/1622 |
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