Short-Time Response of Microbial Communities to Waste Compost Amendment of an Intensive Cultivated Soil in Southern Italy

Abstract

In an intensely cultivated soil in southern Italy, the effects of municipal waste compost on soil activities (basal respiration, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis), Biolog functional diversity, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were estimated in a short period following amendment. Treatment with compost at 30 t ha −1 (dry matter) was compared to mineral fertilization and untreated soil. In these poor soils, organic amendment allowed the rapid recovery of an active and biodiverse soil community. While the addition of compost increased all microbial activities and EC, the pH did not change. Conversely, metabolic activity that was positively correlated to FDA hydrolysis rate initially was enhanced by compost but decreased with time and disappeared at the end of the incubation. Results indicated that waste compost amendments affected microbial activities, both at global and functional levels, favoring a rapid return of biological factors of fertility.

Effects of on-farm composted tomato residues on soil biological activity and yields in a tomato cropping system

“…The respiration rate reflects the instantaneous microbial activation induced by labile-C compounds [30]. In this study, the BR pattern was similar to those described previously by Pane et al [26] and Cytrin et al [32] with an initial burst of activity induced by compost, followed by a significant decrease approaching levels of the notamended soil. In fact, fluorescein degradation due to generalist enzymes, such as proteases, lipases and esterases [33], β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase, exhibited time-shifted trends.…”

“…These findings suggest that the nutritional value alone cannot totally explain the agronomic performances of the composts. But, other factors, such as the absence of phytotoxicity [25], the activation of soil useful microorganisms [26] or disease suppressiveness mechanisms, improvement of soil physical propriety, should be totally considered. Remarkable reduction in crop yield under plant stress due to phytotoxic composts has been widely reported [27].…”

“…Eight soil treatments were compared: on-farm composts (C 1 , C 2 , C 3 and C 4 ) and municipal organic waste compost (C OW ) amendments, mineral normal release (M NR ) and mineral low release (M LR ) nitrogen fertilizers; untreated plots (without any fertilizers and amendment) were used as the reference control (CTRL). Composts were applied at a rate of 30 t ha −1 dry weight according to previous works [48,26]. M NR and M LR consisted of the application of NPK synthetic fertilizers (N = 150 kg ha ), in which nitrogen was ammonium nitrate and ENTEC®26 (a fertilizer containing 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate, a nitrification inhibitor).…”

Tangerine, banana and pomegranate peels valorisation for sustainable environment: A review

“…The degradation of organic matter results in the release of CO 2 from H 2 O and heat, as well as the production of nutrients. Compost contains a high level of plant nutrients with beneficial effects on the physicochemical and biological soil properties [ 154 ]. The production of composts from vegetable residues has known for years.…”

Compost and Compost Tea Management of Mini Watermelon Cultivations Affects the Chemical, Physical and Sensory Assessment of the Fruits

“…Compost is the final product of the composting process, a solid state controlled microbial fermentation of organic and no degraded matters, which can include crop residues, animal wastes, food garbage, organic municipal and industrial wastes. Pane et al [1] reported the beneficial effects of agricultural utilization of compost on physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of the soils. In the last years, the development of new products derived from compost, such as compost teas (CTs) is increasing, due to their positive effects on the crops [2].…”