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Related Experiment Videos

Microbiological parameters as indicators of compost maturity.

S M Tiquia1

  • 1Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA. smtiquia@umd.umich.edu

Journal of Applied Microbiology
|September 16, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Dehydrogenase activity is the best microbial indicator for compost maturity, offering a simple, quick, and cost-effective method. Optimal pig manure composting involves 60% moisture and weekly turning for 56-day maturation.

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Pig manure composting involves complex microbial and chemical changes.
  • Different management strategies and composting regimes influence manure properties.
  • Understanding microbial indicators is crucial for assessing compost maturity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate microbial property changes during pig manure composting.
  • To correlate microbial and humification parameters with compost temperature.
  • To identify the most reliable microbial indicator for compost maturity.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring six microbial parameters (total bacteria, O2 consumption, ATP, dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass C and N).
  • Assessing humification parameters (humic acid, fulvic acid, HA:FA ratio).

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  • Tracking compost temperature throughout the process.

    • Main Results:

    • Significant positive correlations between temperature and microbial properties (O2 consumption, ATP, dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass N).
    • Humification parameters correlated with microbial properties; HA content showed varied correlations.
    • Dehydrogenase activity emerged as the key factor influencing temperature and humification.

    Conclusions:

    • Composting yields predictable changes in temperature, microbial, and chemical components.
    • Dehydrogenase activity is the most suitable indicator for compost maturity.
    • This method is simpler, quicker, and cheaper than other analytical procedures.