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CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Compost Science & Utilization, (2006), Vol. 14, No. 2, 84

CROP RESPONSE
Yield responses of wheat to vermicompost applications
Investigators: P. Roberts, G. Edwards-Jones and D.L. Jones, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To evaluate responses of wheat to vermicompost additions and to combinations of vermicompost and inorganic NPK fertilizer in field and greenhouse environments. Plant response was

determined by measuring a range of plant growth parameters. It was concluded that vermicompost alone cannot provide a viable substitute for inorganic fertilizer without causing a significant loss of yield. Vermicomposts are finely divided peat-like materials with high porosity, aeration, drainage, and water-holding capacity. In comparison to the uncomposted starting material, vermicomposts possess a reduced soluble salt content, greater cation exchange capacity, and increased total humic substances content. They also contain nutrients in forms that are readily taken up by plants.

Nitrogen utilization, yield and soil properties in a sugarbeet crop amended with MSW compost
Investigators: F. Montemurro and M. Maiorana, Istituto Sperimentale Agronomico, Bari, Italy
Objectives: To evaluate different soil tillage depths and to predict the N fertilizer needs of sugarbeet that can be used to obtain the optimum for both root and sucrose productions, expected to be applicable to different N fertilization strategies. Yield, quality, N uptake, N utilization, mineral soil N deficit plant and soil N indicators were to be determined in a two-year field experiment.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Effects of composted yard waste on water movement in sandy soil
Investigators: C. Pandey, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center; S. Shukla, University of Florida, Immokalee, Florida
Objectives: To investigate the effect of soil organic amendment on movement of water in a sandy soil. Water quality challenges are compounded by shortage issues due to increasing rate of urban growth in coastal Florida areas. In the west coast region, water use demand is expected to increase by 28 percent by the year 2020. Use of urban organic waste in agricultural production has potential to improve rainfall retention in sandy soil.

Persistence of Listeria and Salmonella during simulated composting, pack storage and liquid storage of swine manure
Investigators: Sukhbir Grewal, Srinand Sreevatsan and Frederick Michel Jr., Departments of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering and Food Animal Health Program, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio
Objectives: To compare the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium during treatment of swine manure by the most commonly used manure management methods: thermophilic composting (55°), manure packing, liquid storage and aerated liquid storage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Composting of ferric chloride and organic polymers treated hog wastewater excess sludge amended with sawdust
Investigators: J. Hong and K. Park, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Korea
Objectives: To develop a full-scale composting of separated solid manure mixed with biosolids from the livestock wastewater biotreatment and manure compost biofiltration system during agitated and aerated bed composting. Effects of turning frequency on compost temperature and ammonia emission were also investigated using compost reactors and biofilter vessels. Reducing pH of initial composting mixture seemed to be a more effective means of increasing thermophilic composting temperature.

Managing palm kernel waste through composting and crop production
Investigators: O.O. Kolade, A.O. Coker, M.K.C. Sridhar and G.O. Adeoye, Department of Agronomy and Division of Environmental Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Objectives: To analyze the conversion of palm kernel cake into compost using goat manure and poultry droppings, then evaluating the product using amaranth as a test crop.

MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
Microbial studies of grape marc compost and potential for soilborne pathogen suppression
Investigators: M. Santos, F. Dianez, M. Gonzalez and J.C. Tello, Plant Production Department, University of Almeria, Almeria, Spain
Objectives: To identify bacteria and fungi in compost, study microbial community dynamics and population levels in grape marc compost, and evaluate the potential for bacterial and fungal isolates from compost to suppress selected pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae.