1
|
da Silva LF, da Silva EF, Morais FMS, Portela JC, de Oliveira FHT, de Freitas DF, de Almeida Ferreira E, Gurgel MT, Pinheiro AM, Lima RB, Vasconcelos AA, Antunes LFS. Potential of vermicomposting with mixtures of animal manure and vegetable leaves in the development of Eisenia foetida, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activity under semi-arid conditions. J Environ Manage 2023; 330:117169. [PMID: 36621314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Vermicomposting is the bio-oxidation and stabilization of organic matter involving relationships between the action of earthworms and microorganisms and the activation and dynamics of several enzyme activities. Semi-arid farmers to make (extra) money and organic production, produce their vermicompost using plant residues and animal manure, but there is no information about the final product generated. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the potential of vermicomposting with mixtures of animal manure and vegetable leaves in the development of Eisenia foetida, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activity in the semi-arid region, Brazil. The experimental design applied was randomized block in a 6 × 4 factorial scheme with four replicates, with six treatments (mixtures of cattle manure, goat manure, cashew leaves, and catanduva leaves) and evaluated at four-time intervals (30, 60, 90, and 120 days of vermicomposting). The treatments were placed in polyethylene pots in the same site, environmental conditions, and residues proportions as used by farmers. The characteristics analyzed were the number of earthworms (NE), total earthworm biomass (TEB) and earthworm multiplication index (MI), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and activities of enzymes β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline and acid phosphatases. The cattle manure vermicomposted shows the highest average values observed for NE, MI, TEB, MBC, and enzymatic activity, regardless of the plant leaves mix. In general, the enzymes activities were found in the descending order of β-glucosidase > alkaline phosphatase > dehydrogenase > acid phosphatase. The maturation dynamics of vermicompost were characterized by a decline in the microbial population and number and biomass of earthworms in the substrate and consequently a decrease in new enzyme synthesis and degradation of the remaining enzyme pool. Microbial biomass and enzymatic activity were indicators for changes in the quality of vermicompost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa F da Silva
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Eulene F da Silva
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Francimar Maik S Morais
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Jeane C Portela
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | | | - Diana F de Freitas
- Federal University of Ceará, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 60020181, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - E de Almeida Ferreira
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Bioscience, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Marcelo T Gurgel
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Antônio M Pinheiro
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Renner B Lima
- Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Center of Agrarian Sciences, 59625900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Aline A Vasconcelos
- Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Departament of Agrarian Sciences, 35702031, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|