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Sufficient fertility is important for crop growth and yield but supplying a balanced amount of N, P, and K with compost and manure is a challenge and nutrient imbalances can benefit weeds more than crops. The goal of this study was to compare the aboveground growth responses of common northeastern U.S. crops and weeds to addition of composted poultry manure (CPM). A secondary goal was to test whether the observed growth responses to CPM could be attributed to the three macronutrients—N, P, and K—supplied in the CPM. Two field experiments were conducted over 2 yr. Species grown were corn, lettuce, kale, Powell amaranth, common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, and velvetleaf. Plants were grown in soil amended with CPM or single-nutrient organic N, P, and K fertility amendments. Single-nutrient P treatments with bone char did not adequately mimic P supply from CPM. In both years, biomass of all weeds studied increased with CPM amendment rate. Powell amaranth was the most responsive to CPM addition, increasing 1,775 and 159% from the control to the highest CPM rate in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Corn biomass increased by 22% with CPM rate in 2010 but did not increase with CPM rate in 2011. Lettuce biomass increased with CPM amendment rate (175% in 2010 and 109% in 2011), but due to the increased weed biomass at high CPM amendment rates, good weed control will be necessary to maintain this yield benefit. The increase in growth of Powell amaranth, common lambsquarters, and giant foxtail with CPM amendment was not due to N or K, and may have been influenced by P or another factor in the CPM. Velvetleaf was the only species that exhibited increased biomass with N addition (as blood meal), similarly to the increase with added CPM, suggesting the velvetleaf growth response to CPM was due to N in the CPM. The results show that nutrient ratios should be considered when applying organic amendments, because application rates of organic amendments that meet the crop’s needs for one nutrient may oversupply other nutrients. Overfertilization will not benefit crop yield, but the results of this study show that high organic fertility application rates are likely to increase weed growth. Nomenclature: Common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. CHEAL, giant foxtail, Setaria faberi Herrm. SETFA, Powell amaranth, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats AMAPO, velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medik. ABUTH, corn, Zea mays L. ‘VK7610’, lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. ‘New Red Fire’, kale, Brassica oleracea L. ‘Lacinato’.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants posing a potential worldwide human health risk. Intensive animal husbandry is believed to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of ARGs. Despite the volume of antibiotics used in China, little information is available regarding the corresponding ARGs associated with animal farms. We assessed type and concentrations of ARGs at three stages of manure processing to land disposal at three large-scale (10,000 animals per year) commercial swine farms in China. In-feed or therapeutic antibiotics used on these farms include all major classes of antibiotics except vancomycins. High-capacity quantitative PCR arrays detected 149 unique resistance genes among all of the farm samples, the top 63 ARGs being enriched 192-fold (median) up to 28,000-fold (maximum) compared with their respective antibiotic-free manure or soil controls. Antibiotics and heavy metals used as feed supplements were elevated in the manures, suggesting the potential for coselection of resistance traits. The potential for horizontal transfer of ARGs because of transposon-specific ARGs is implicated by the enrichment of transposases—the top six alleles being enriched 189-fold (median) up to 90,000-fold in manure—as well as the high correlation (r ² = 0.96) between ARG and transposase abundance. In addition, abundance of ARGs correlated directly with antibiotic and metal concentrations, indicating their importance in selection of resistance genes. Diverse, abundant, and potentially mobile ARGs in farm samples suggest that unmonitored use of antibiotics and metals is causing the emergence and release of ARGs to the environment.

The use of organic fertilizers constitutes a sustainable strategy to recycle nutrients, increase soil carbon (C) stocks and mitigate climate change. Yet, this depends largely on balance between soil C sequestration and the emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Organic fertilizers strongly influence the microbial processes leading to the release of N2O. The magnitude and pattern of N2O emissions are different from the emissions observed from inorganic fertilizers and difficult to predict, which hinders developing best management practices specific to organic fertilizers. Currently, we lack a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of OFs on the function and structure of the N cycling microbial communities. Focusing on animal manures, here we provide an overview of the effects of these organic fertilizers on the community structure and function of nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms in upland soils. Unprocessed manure with high moisture, high available nitrogen (N) and C content can shift the structure of the microbial community, increasing the abundance and activity of nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms. Processed manure, such as digestate, compost, vermicompost and biochar, can also stimulate nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms, although the effects on the soil microbial community structure are different, and N2O emissions are comparatively lower than raw manure. We propose a framework of best management practices to minimize the negative environmental impacts of organic fertilizers and maximize their benefits in improving soil health and sustaining food production systems. Long-term application of composted manure and the buildup of soil C stocks may contribute to N retention as microbial or stabilized organic N in the soil while increasing the abundance of denitrifying microorganisms and thus reduce the emissions of N2O by favoring the completion of denitrification to produce dinitrogen gas. Future research using multi-omics approaches can be used to establish key biochemical pathways and microbial taxa responsible for N2O production under organic fertilization.

Background and aims Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) has severely decreased global tomato production. Organic amendments are widely applied to suppress Fol all over the world. However, the ways in which different amendments alter soil bulk microflora and thereby induce the suppression of Fol remain unclear. Methods In this study, the effects of three organic amendments on the suppression of Fol in soil and the underlying mechanisms of those effects were studied . The organic amendments included in this study are rice straw, chicken manure compost, and vermicompost . High-throughput HiSeq sequencing and Real-Time PCR were used to determine the effect of the soil microbiota on the abundance of Fol. Results The abundance of Fol increased significantly with the duration of tomato cultivation. Vermicompost was the most effective organic fertilizer to suppress Fol in long-term continuous tomato cropping soil. Partial Least Squares Path Modeling revealed a strong positive relationship between the relative abundance of bacterial groups (including the genera Nocardioides , Ilumatobacter and Gaiella) and Fol inhibition. Soil chemical properties (pH, NH 4 + -N, soil organic matter and dissolved organic carbon) were positively associated with the genera Nocardioides , Ilumatobacter and Gaiella . Compared with chemical fertilizer and rice straw, vermicompost addition significantly increased soil pH, NH 4 + -N, soil organic matter and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the soil with 20 years of tomato cultivation. Most importantly, the genera Nocardioides , Ilumatobacter and Gaiella were enriched in vermicompost, which may contribute to the propagation of these bacteria in the soil when vermicompost is added. Conclusions This study provides a mechanistic framework that permits the exploration of specific functions at lower taxonomic levels. This may represent a novel approach in the management of crop pathogens via promotion of beneficial organisms.

Soils are the basis of life on land and the ways in which we manage them for crop production, impact their role, functions and quality. Conventional farming uses industrial inputs to a level that is economically justified, whilst organic farming systems avoid mineral fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides. This study investigates the long-term effect of organic and conventional farming systems on soil quality. The DOK trial (bioDynamic, bioOrganic, Konventionell (German for conventional)) running since 1978 in Therwil (CH), compares bioorganic (BIOORG), biodynamic (BIODYN), and conventional (CONFYM) farming systems at two farmyard manure intensities corresponding to 0.7 and 1.4 livestock units per hectare with a purely mineral fertilized system (CONMIN) and an unfertilized control (NOFERT). The treatments in the DOK trial vary in plant protection and receive system-specific organic matter inputs differing in rate and quality. With this work, we revisit the soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics across 42 years and redefine the previous perception of mainly declining SOC contents after 21 years of organic and conventional management (Fliessbach et al. 2007). After 42 years, we found SOC contents to be increased in BIODYN 1.4 and to a lesser extent also in BIOORG 1.4. CONFYM 1.4 showed stable SOC contents, while systems fertilized with manure of 0.7 livestock units and CONMIN lost SOC. SOC loss was highest in NOFERT. Enhanced biological soil quality under organic and particularly biodynamic management highlights the close link between soil biology and SOC changes. The impact of farming systems on SOC was detectable after 2 decades of continuous management. We conclude that recycling manure at a level of 1.4 livestock units per hectare permits maintenance of SOC levels and that composting manure, as performed in BIODYN 1.4, helps to further increase SOC levels and improve biological soil quality.

The increasing demand for oilseed crops like soybeans requires sustainable cultivation practices that not only boost productivity but also maintain the long-term health of soil and the environment. This research aimed to investigate the impact of an integrated nutrient management strategy, which includes organic sources (compost types), phosphorus management, and inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), on soybean productivity and profitability. Furthermore, the study examined the response of soybeans to varying potassium levels and different types of compost under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Two separate field experiments were conducted, with and without PSB seed inoculation, to evaluate various parameters including yield components, seed quality, protein and oil contents, grain yield, and growers' income. The results demonstrated that the application of sole poultry manure compost significantly improved yield components, grain yield (3064 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (771 kg ha −1 ), and oil yield (546 kg ha −1 ). Application of the highest P level (90 kg P ha −1 ) produced the maximum grain yield (3222 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (823 kg ha −1 ), and oil yield (588 kg ha −1 ). Furthermore, plots treated with PSB exhibited higher yield components, grain yield (3051 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (769 kg ha −1 ) and oil yield (550 kg ha −1 ). Moreover, increasing phosphorus levels in conjunction with poultry manure compost or a combination of poultry + cattle manure composts resulted in improved yield components, protein and oil yields, and grain yield. In another aspect of the study, the response of soybean to potassium levels and different compost types under irrigated and dryland conditions was assessed. The findings revealed that higher potassium level (90 kg K ha −1 ) significantly increased yield components and produced the maximum grain yield (3189 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (725 kg ha −1 ), and oil yield (574 kg ha −1 ). Additionally, the application of sole poultry manure compost increased all yield components, grain yield (3160 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (719 kg ha −1 ), and oil yield (569 kg ha −1 ). Moreover, the irrigated plots demonstrated higher yield components, grain yield (2981 kg ha −1 ), protein yield (680 kg ha −1 ) and oil yield (536 kg ha −1 ). In conclusion, this research emphasizes the significance of an integrated nutrient management approach, incorporating compost, potassium, phosphorus, and phosphate solubilizing bacteria in enhancing soybean productivity and profitability.

Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis L.) is a valuable medicinal plant, but its growth can be significantly impacted by drought stress. This study aimed to mitigate the adverse effects of water deficit stress on lemon balm biomass by integrating poultry manure compost, poultry manure biochar, NPK fertilizer, Trichoderma harzianum , Thiobacillus thioparus , and elemental sulfur as soil amendments. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement, consisting of three replicates. It included a water deficit stress factor at three levels (95–100%, 75–80%, and 55–60% of field capacity) and a soil amendment treatment factor with eleven different fertilizer levels. Treatments included control (no amendment), NPK fertilizer, poultry manure compost, poultry manure biochar, and combinations of these with T. harzianum , T. thioparus, and elemental sulfur under various water deficit levels. Water deficit stress significantly reduced photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content, and antioxidant enzyme activity, while increasing membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation in lemon balm plants. However, the integrated application of organic, biological, and chemical amendments mitigated these negative impacts. The combined treatment of poultry manure compost, poultry manure biochar, NPK fertilizer, T. harzianum , T. thioparus , and elemental sulfur was the most effective in improving the morpho-physiological properties (1.97–60%) and biomass (2.31–2.76 times) of lemon balm under water deficit stress. The results demonstrate the potential of this holistic approach to enhance the resilience of lemon balm cultivation in water-scarce environments. The integration of organic, biological, and chemical amendments can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by improving plant morphological and physiological properties and plant performance under drought conditions.

On-farm manure management practices, such as composting, may provide a practical and economical option for reducing antibiotic concentrations in manure before land application, thereby minimizing the potential for environmental contamination. The objective of this study was to quantify degradation of chlortetracycline, monensin, sulfamethazine, and tylosin in spiked turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) litter during composting. Three manure composting treatments were evaluated: a control treatment (manure pile with no disturbance or adjustments after initial mixing), a managed compost pile (weekly mixing and moisture content adjustments), and vessel composting. Despite significant differences in temperature, mass, and nutrient losses between the composting treatments and the control, there was no difference in antibiotic degradation among the treatments. Chlortetracycline concentrations declined rapidly during composting, whereas monensin and tylosin concentrations declined gradually in all three treatments. There was no degradation of sulfamethazine in any of treatments. At the conclusion of the composting period (22-35 d), there was >99% reduction in chlortetracycline, whereas monensin and tylosin reduction ranged from 54 to 76% in all three treatments. Assuming first-order decay, the half-lives for chlortetracycline, monensin, and tylosin were 1, 17, and 19 d, respectively. These data suggest that managed compositing in a manure pile or in a vessel is not better than the control treatment in degrading certain antibiotics in manure. Therefore, low-level manure management, such as stockpiling, after an initial adjustment of water content may be a practical and economical option for livestock producers in reducing antibiotic levels in manure before land application.

Poultry litter (PL) is a potentially underused fertilizer because it contains appreciable amounts of N, P, K, and micronutrients. However, treatments like composting to reduce potential pathogens, weed seeds, and odor often result in high losses of N through NH3 volatilization. Biochar (BC) has been shown to act as an absorber of NH3 and water-soluble NH4+ and might therefore reduce losses of N during composting of manure. We produced three PL compost mixtures that consisted of PL without added BC (BC0), PL + 5% BC (BC5), and PL + 20% BC (BC20). The BC was produced from pine chips and used without further modifications. Three replicates of each treatment were placed in nine bioreactors to undergo composting for 42 d. The entire composting experiment was repeated three times in a complete-block design. Moisture content, temperature, pH, mass loss, gas (NH3, CO2, H2S) emissions, C, and nutrient contents were measured periodically throughout the experiments. Results showed no difference in PL mass loss with BC addition. Moisture content decreased, pH increased significantly, and peak CO2 and temperatures were significantly higher with BC20 compared with BC0. These results indicate a faster decomposition of PL if amended with BC. Ammonia concentrations in the emissions were lower by up to 64% if PL was mixed with BC (BC20), and total N losses were reduced by up to 52%. Biochar might be an ideal bulking agent for composting N-rich materials.

Different studies have shown that livestock manure has a high potential for fertilization in plant growth and crop yield. However, the main challenge of using animal manure as fertilizer is to increase the risk of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) pollution in soil and water. Because of their adverse effects, these compounds have gained more concern. Farmland applied with manure is considered the primary source of estrogens in the environment. To manage the pollution of EDCs, manure management approaches such as aerobic composting should be utilized to degrade and remove these pollutants. Composting has attracted attention because of its rapid reaction scale and strong degradation ability against the steroidal compounds. However, estrogen removal via traditional composting needs to be improved, as the steroidal compounds that remained in the composted manure could be quickly discharged to the environment because their biodegradation rate is lower than their discharge rate. For that reason, more advanced approaches, such as inoculation with microorganisms, should be involved. Also, applying adsorbent materials such as biochar (BC) and humic acid (HA) should be considered. In the light of the modern studies, affording an overall vision and perspectives about the fate of estrogens during composting is highly valuable. This review was designed to explore the sources, properties, occurrence, half-life, degradation, and transformation of estrogens during animal manure composting. Besides, the efficiency of estrogens degrading microorganisms and adsorbent additives was also reviewed. The eventual remarks were mentioned, and their prospects were discussed.