Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures
The study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of vermicompost mixtures to optimize nutrient extraction. Three compost mixtures (chicken plus horse (CH+H), chicken plus cattle (CH+C), and cattle plus horse (C+H)) were selected for quality evaluation at three extraction times: 24, 48,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1056 |
| _version_ | 1797606796047679488 |
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| author | Zinzi Saba Lembe S. Magwaza Nkanyiso J. Sithole Asanda Mditshwa Alfred O. Odindo |
| author_facet | Zinzi Saba Lembe S. Magwaza Nkanyiso J. Sithole Asanda Mditshwa Alfred O. Odindo |
| author_sort | Zinzi Saba |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of vermicompost mixtures to optimize nutrient extraction. Three compost mixtures (chicken plus horse (CH+H), chicken plus cattle (CH+C), and cattle plus horse (C+H)) were selected for quality evaluation at three extraction times: 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in nutrient concentration of compost teas in different compost mixtures. The interaction between treatments and extraction time showed a significant effect (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on nutrients except in P, K, Ca, and EC. The nutrients were higher at 48 h after extraction. The pH was observed to increase slightly with extraction time. C+H had more percentage of moisture content (44.79%) than other mixtures. This mixture was the most preferred by worms, i.e., it had the greater size and number of worms. The results suggested that the presence of oxygen in extraction and high temperatures affects ammonium availability in compost tea as they trigger nitrifying bacteria. Due to the decrease in some nutrients’ concentration (NO<sub>3</sub>, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu) at 72 h, it was concluded that 48 h is the best time to extract nutrients from compost mixtures to produce good quality compost using aerobic extraction method. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:20:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a6ac389c2b144938b050de7b97980ac6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:20:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-a6ac389c2b144938b050de7b97980ac62023-11-17T17:56:57ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952023-04-01134105610.3390/agronomy13041056Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost MixturesZinzi Saba0Lembe S. Magwaza1Nkanyiso J. Sithole2Asanda Mditshwa3Alfred O. Odindo4Discipline of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South AfricaDiscipline of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South AfricaDepartment of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2790, South AfricaDiscipline of Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South AfricaDiscipline of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South AfricaThe study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of vermicompost mixtures to optimize nutrient extraction. Three compost mixtures (chicken plus horse (CH+H), chicken plus cattle (CH+C), and cattle plus horse (C+H)) were selected for quality evaluation at three extraction times: 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in nutrient concentration of compost teas in different compost mixtures. The interaction between treatments and extraction time showed a significant effect (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on nutrients except in P, K, Ca, and EC. The nutrients were higher at 48 h after extraction. The pH was observed to increase slightly with extraction time. C+H had more percentage of moisture content (44.79%) than other mixtures. This mixture was the most preferred by worms, i.e., it had the greater size and number of worms. The results suggested that the presence of oxygen in extraction and high temperatures affects ammonium availability in compost tea as they trigger nitrifying bacteria. Due to the decrease in some nutrients’ concentration (NO<sub>3</sub>, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu) at 72 h, it was concluded that 48 h is the best time to extract nutrients from compost mixtures to produce good quality compost using aerobic extraction method.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1056hydroponicvermicompostcompost mixturesqualitynutrientsaerated extraction method |
| spellingShingle | Zinzi Saba Lembe S. Magwaza Nkanyiso J. Sithole Asanda Mditshwa Alfred O. Odindo Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures Agronomy hydroponic vermicompost compost mixtures quality nutrients aerated extraction method |
| title | Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures |
| title_full | Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures |
| title_fullStr | Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures |
| title_short | Physico-Chemical Analysis of Vermicompost Mixtures |
| title_sort | physico chemical analysis of vermicompost mixtures |
| topic | hydroponic vermicompost compost mixtures quality nutrients aerated extraction method |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1056 |
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