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Modern problems of pasture degradation caused by anthropogenic impact and climate change require the search for new, environmentally safe solutions. The proposed technology of creating cultivated annual pastures with the use of biostimulants is a promising approach to restore and increase the productivity of pasture ecosystems. The study conducted in the south of Kazakhstan demonstrates high efficiency of biostimulants, especially those that fermented cattle manure. In contrast with traditional mineral fertilizers (N20P20K20), biostimulants MERS and Bio-Bars contribute not only to the increase in yield of green mass, but also improve soil characteristics by stimulating the growth of beneficial microflora. This makes it possible to create self-regenerating pasture systems resistant to negative environmental impact. The novelty of the study lies in the integrated approach combining the use of biostimulants and fermentation of organic waste. This approach not only increases the efficiency of resource use, but also promotes a closed cycle of production, minimizing the negative impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic composting is a key strategy to the sustainable use of livestock manure, which is however constrained by the slow kinetics. Microbe-aided thermophilic composting provides an attractive solution to this problem. In this study, we identified key thermophilic bacteria capable of accelerating manure composting based on the deciphering of manure bacterial community evolution in a thermophilic system. High-throughput sequencing showed a significant evolution of manure bacterial community structure with the increasing heating temperature. Firmicutes were substantially enriched by the heating, particularly some known thermotolerant bacterial species, such as Novibacillus thermophiles , Bacillus thermolactis , and Ammoniibacillus agariperforans. Correspondingly, through function prediction, we found bacterial taxa with cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities were significantly higher in the thermophilic process relative to the initial stage. Subsequently, a total of 47 bacteria were isolated in situ and their phylogenetic affiliation and degradation capacity were determined. Three isolates were back inoculated to the manure, resulting in shortened composting process from 5 to 3 days with Germination Index increased up to 134%, and improved compost quality particularly in wheat growth promoting. Comparing to the mesophilic and thermophilic Bacillus , the genomes of the three isolates manifested some features similar to the thermophiles, including smaller genome size and mutation of specific genes that enhance heat tolerance. This study provide robust evidence that microbe-aided thermophilic composting is capable to accelerate manure composting and improve the quality of compost, which represents a new hope to the sustainable use of manure from the meat industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar amendment and substituting chemical fertilizers with organic manure (organic substitution) have been widely reported to improve intensive vegetable production. However, considering its high potential for reducing carbon and reactive nitrogen (Nr) footprints, very few comprehensive evaluations have been performed on the environmental and economic aspects of biochar amendment or organic substitution. In this study, the comprehensive environmental damage costs from carbon and Nr footprints, measured using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, followed a cradle-to-gate approach, and the carbon storage benefits were incorporated into the newly constructed net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB) assessment frame in addition to the conventional product income–input cost-benefit methods. One kilogram of harvested vegetables for carbon/Nr footprints and one hectare of cultivated land per crop for cost and benefit were adopted as functional units considering the multi-cropping characteristics for intensive vegetable production. Five fertilization treatments were included: no fertilizer (CK); synthetic fertilizer application (SN); biochar amendment (NB); organic substitution (NM); and a combination of biochar and organic substitution (NMB). These were investigated for five consecutive years of vegetable crop rotations in a typically intensified vegetable production region in China. Adopting the revised NEEB methodology, NB significantly reduced carbon footprint by 73.0% compared to no biochar addition treatment. Meanwhile, NB significantly increased the total benefits by 9.7% and reduced the environmental damages by 52.7% compared to NM, generating the highest NEEB, making it the most effective fertilization strategy among all treatments. It was 4.3% higher compared to NM, which was not significant, but significantly higher than SN and NMB, by 23.0% and 13.6%, respectively. This finding highlights the importance of considering carbon storage benefit for properly assessing NEEB, which is important for developing effective agricultural management strategies and promoting intensive vegetable production with a more sustainable approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) in agriculture is a requirement for sustainable development. The reduction in nitrogen inputs might benefit from the residual N of former organic fertilization procedures. A 10 year experiment was established in a rainfed Mediterranean system (barley–wheat rotation). The objective of this experiment was to quantify the N residual effects of a single pig slurry (PS) application at sowing (20, 40, and 80 m3 ha−1) and up to three years later. The mineral N equivalence method was used to compare the grain yield (GY) and the whole-plant N uptake (WPNU) between the slurry fertilized plots (slurries applied in previous years) and annual mineral N fertilized ones (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha−1). From the total N applied with PS, a fraction of, ca., 21% accounted for the residual equivalent mineral N for a total period of three years after the PS application. For the 20 m3 ha−1 rate, the relative residual N based on the GY and WPNU equaled to 89–90% of the applied organic N, respectively. This rate also allowed for an increase in NUE values to above 33%. In semiarid areas, the introduction of residual N when scheduling fertilization is important to reduce N inputs and to increase NUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

15N tracing was carried out on sandy loam soil amended with (i) mineral nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (NPK) alone, (ii) half mineral N and half N from chicken manure (HFC), or (iii) half mineral N and half N from cattle manure (HCM), for 8 years. Cumulative N2O emissions during incubation were 30.2 µg N kg− 1 in the NPK treatment, which increased to 37.8 and 51.3 µg N kg− 1 in the HFC and HCM treatments, respectively. The majority of N2O emissions in all the treatments were attributed to nitrification (81.0% in the NPK treatment, 83.0% in the HFC treatment, and 85.1% in the HCM treatment). Compared with NPK, HCM treatment caused a significant increase in the gross rate of nitrification, while HFC treatment slightly enhanced the rate of dissimilatory NO3− reduction to NH4+. Additionally, HFC treatment achieved higher gross rates of organic N mineralization, and both HFC and HCM treatments had higher NH4+ mineralization-immobilization turnover (MIAT) rates than NPK treatment. The results suggest that application of cattle or chicken manure increased soil NH4+ availability. The gross rate of NO3− adsorption in the HCM treatment was greater than that in the NPK treatment, while the release of adsorbed NO3− in the HFC treatment was slower than that in the NPK treatment, indicating that application of cattle or chicken manure lowered the potential for NO3− leaching in soil. Overall, combining cattle or chicken manure with mineral fertilizer decreased NO3− availability but increased NH4+ availability, leading to higher N2O emissions through nitrification. Our results suggest that organic manures should be applied with nitrification inhibitors in sandy loam soil containing low organic carbon to increase soil fertility and mitigate N2O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azolla is a substitute compost that has the potential to enhance nutrient cycling in agricultural systems for sustainable development. In this study, four experiments were conducted to compare the Department of Agriculture (DOA, Thailand)'s methodology for determining the suitable type and rate of animal manure and the optimal light intensity for the growth and yield of Azolla (Azolla microphylla). The results revealed that applying 100% pig manure gave the highest yield of Azolla compared to the other manures. However, there was no discernible (p > 0.05) difference in yield across the various doses (20.16, 30.16, and 40.16 gN m−2) of pig manure treatments, for which the minimal pig manure dosage of 20.16 gN m−2 was chosen. For further experimentation in the optimal light intensity, the 40% shading gave the highest yield of Azolla compared to no shading or 20 and 60% shading (p ≤ 0.01). When compared with the DOA Thailand methodology (1.27 kg m−2 of cow manure and covered with a size 32 mesh net), the findings indicated that the modified method (20.16 gN m−2 of pig manure + 40% shading) gave a 16% greater Azolla yield than that under the DOA Thailand methodology. The current finding method can produce a monthly fresh biomass of A. microphylla of 40.7 t ha−1 year−1 with higher contents of total N (4.92%) and lower C:N ratio (≤10:1) that could release minerals relatively rapidly. Its use can be encouraged by farmers to produce their own ecofriendly biofertilizer or soil amendment for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Manure application affects soil chemical and biochemical properties and organic nitrogen (ON). In this study, we aimed to study the long-term application of manure on soil amino acid pools and the underlying mechanisms that remain unquantified. Methods: We studied the effects of 41-year manure application on soil ON fractions and amino acid pools during various crop seasons under maize-maize-soybean rotation. This study includes four treatments: no fertilization, inorganic nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium fertiliser (NPK), NPK + 13.5 t ha−1 manure, and NPK + 27 t ha−1 manure (M2NPK). Results: The highest values for soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen, pH, urease, and protease activity were observed in both the maize and soybean seasons under M2NPK. The contents of acidolysable ammonium nitrogen, acidolysable amino acid nitrogen (AAN), and ON in soil peaked under M2NPK in both seasons. Long-term high manure additions increased total soil amino acid content by 183% and 174% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Acidic, alkaline, and neutral amino acid contents peaked during both seasons under M2NPK. Glycine, alanine, proline, lysine, serine, and valine were the predominant amino acid species in the soil, regardless of fertilization. M2NPK treatment led to increases of 88–151%, 79–129%, 70–114%, 87–97%, and 68–72% in the contents of Tyr, Leu, Ile, Glu, and Asp, respectively, compared to NPK. The structural equation modelling (SEM) indicated that SOC, pH, urease, and protease activity were the pathways that manure application alter the AAN pool by collectively accounting for 97% of the AAN variability. Further, our findings from SEM had a direct positive effect of AN on AAN under exogenous N input with a path coefficient of 0.35. Conclusion: The addition of manure can improve soil properties, increase the amino acid pool, and enhance the amino acid pool availability under long-term crop rotation systems. In conclusion, the application of manure represents a practical approach to enhance soil nitrogen fertility and promote sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of pesticide pollution on environmental microorganisms in soil has become the focus of widespread concern in society today. The response of earthworm gut and surrounding soil microbial functional diversity and enzyme activity to carbendazim (CBD) was studied in a soil-earthworm ecosystem amended with manure. In the experiment, CBD was added to the manured soil (MS). Meanwhile, the pesticide treatment without manure and the control treatment without pesticides were also set up. The activities of catalase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured to evaluate the toxicity of CBD. The Biolog method was used to assess the functional diversity of the microbial community. In the 2  mg/kg CBD treatment, earthworm AChE activity decreased significantly in the MS after 14 d, which occurred earlier than in the un-manured soil (NS). The changes of earthworm CAT activity in the pesticide treatments showed a trend of initially increasing and then maintaining at a high activity level. However, the CAT activities at 28 d in the manured soils were clearly lower than that at 7 d for both the CBD treatments, while they remained stable in the control treatments. The carbon source utilization, Simpson index, Shannon index, and McIntosh index of soil microorganisms in the MS treatments were significantly higher than those in the NS treatments. The overall activity of earthworm gut microorganisms in the MS treated with 2  mg/kg CBD was higher than that in the control. Also, CBD treatment (2  mg/kg) increased significantly the Simpson index and McIntosh index of earthworm gut microorganisms. The results indicated that the enzyme activities in the manured soils increased before 7 d for the pesticide treatments. Furthermore, exposure to CBD at a high concentration in the MS not only led to the earlier inhibition of earthworm enzyme activity but also significantly improved the overall activity of earthworm gut microorganisms and microbial functional diversity. This study revealed the ecotoxicological effects of earthworms in response to pesticide stress following the use of organic fertilizers under facility environmental conditions, which can provide a theoretical basis for the remediation of pesticide pollution in soil in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The USA has committed to cutting its emissions of methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas, by at least 30% by 2030 (‘30 × 30’). This is part of the Global Methane Pledge, signed by 155 countries, to keep global warming within 1.5 °C and thereby to forestall the disastrous effects of ‘runaway climate change’. It will be a major challenge for the USA to reach 30 × 30 and there is no consensus on how to do so. This paper provides a concrete, data‐driven roadmap to indicate how to reach 30 × 30 feasibly, focusing on two enormous sources of methane emissions: organic waste and oil and gas production. It calculates that building approximately 4700 anaerobic digesters (ADs) to process food waste and animal manure would cost about $74.2 billion in capital expenditure (capex) and cut 13.6% of total US methane emissions per year. On average, each project would take roughly 2–6 years to build. Of the various methane mitigation measures analyzed in the oil and gas sectors, the most impactful would be full compliance with the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) revised New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for oil and gas production by 2029. This would cut 17.5% of total US methane emissions annually, at a cumulative capex of $20.7 billion from 2024 to 2029. Together, the 13.6% cut from food waste and manure ADs and the 17.5% cut from full NSPS compliance would amount to a 31.5% reduction, exceeding the 30 × 30 goal. Greater clarity from the federal government on funding eligibility and additional incentives would accelerate the buildout of ADs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural development in the Sahel region of Africa. One alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers is to partially replace them with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Mineral fertilizer microdosing is a technique developed to enhance fertilizer efficiency and encourage smallholder farmers to adopt higher mineral fertilizer applications. Methods: A pot experiment was set up to study the effects of AMF inoculation on the mineral nutrition of pearl millet under mineral fertilizer microdosing conditions. The experimental setup followed a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The treatments tested on millet were an absolute control and eight microdoses derived from the combination of three doses of 15-10-10 [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] mineral fertilizer (2 g, 3 g, and 5 g per pot), three doses of urea (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per pot), and three doses of organic manure (OM) (200 g, 400 g, and 600 g), combined with and without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizophagus aggregatum). The parameters studied were growth, root colonization by AMF, and mineral nutrition. Plant height, stem diameter, root dry biomass, and percentage of root mycorrhization were measured. Results and discussion: The results revealed a significant effect of the fertilizers on the growth of pearl millet compared to the control. AMF and OM treatments resulted in the highest biomass production. AMF combined with microdoses of NPK improved N and calcium (Ca) concentrations, while their combination with organic matter mainly improved the K concentration. Combining AMF with microdosed NPK and compost enhanced zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) concentrations. Root colonization varied from 0.55 to 56.4%. This investigation highlights the positive effects of AMF inoculation on nutrient uptake efficiency when combined with microdosing fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores the conversion of raw poultry manure (RPM) into tailor-made biochars for an efficient phosphorus (P) recovery from aqueous solutions. To this end, three RPM-functionalized biochars with Mg (RPM-B-Mg), Al (RPM-B-Al), and Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides (RPM-B-Mg/Al-LDHs) were synthetized, deeply characterized, and then tested for P recovery under various experimental conditions. Biochar characterization showed that RPM-B-Mg/Al-LDHs had enhanced texture and surface chemistry linked to the formation/deposition of Mg- and Al-based nanoparticles. In addition, this biochar exhibited the highest P recovery rate from effluents (78 mg g−1). This recovery process seems to occur heterogeneously on multilayers through electrostatic interactions, ligand exchange, surface precipitation as AlPO4 and Mg3(PO4)2, and complexation. Phosphorus desorption from these P-loaded biochars was significantly dependent on the pH of eluent solutions with the highest desorption yield observed at an initial pH of 9.0 (88%). All these findings indicate that the use of Mg/Al-LDHs-loaded poultry manure biochar can be considered a sustainable material for P recovery from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the P-loaded biochar could be reused in agriculture as a low-cost biofertilizer in P-depleted soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In drylands, where the annual precipitation is low and erratic, improving the water storage capacity and the available water in the soil is crucial for crop production. To explore the effect of long-term agronomic management on water storage capacity and available water in the soil, four agronomic management systems were used (including the farmer's management model (FM), the high nitrogen input model (HN), the manure amendment model (MM), and the biochar amendment model (BM)) for eight consecutive years, and the variation in wheat yield and soil hydraulic, physical, and chemical properties in the 0–100 cm soil profile were investigated. The management practices varied in terms of seeding rates, nitrogen (N)-application strategies, and the application of manure or biochar. The results showed that, under the manure amendment model (MM), the wheat yield was increased by 17–35%, and the water-use efficiency was increased by 14–29% when compared to the farmer's management model (FM) and the high nitrogen input model (HN). However, no significant differences in wheat yield and water-use efficiency were found under the biochar amendment model (BM) compared to the HN. The high yield and water-use efficiency under the MM were mainly due to the higher saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil saturated water content, field capacity, and soil available water content, which led to an increase in the available water storage in the 0–100 cm soil profile by 29–48 mm. Furthermore, the MM also improved soil organic matter, porosity, root length density, and root weight density and reduced the soil bulk density, which are beneficial for the improvement of the above soil hydraulic properties. Therefore, it is a practical way to ensure high yield and high efficiency of crops in dryland by improving water storage capacity and the available water in the soil, which can be profoundly regulated by agronomic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh produce is suggested to contribute highly to shaping the gut resistome. We investigated the impact of pig manure and irrigation water quality on microbiome and resistome of field-grown lettuce over an entire growth period. Lettuce was grown under four regimes, combining soil amendment with manure (with/without) with sprinkler irrigation using river water with an upstream wastewater input, disinfected by UV (with/without). Lettuce leaves, soil, and water samples were collected weekly and analysed by bacterial cultivation, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and shotgun metagenomics from total community DNA. Cultivation yielded only few clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), but numbers of ARB on lettuce increased over time, while no treatment-dependent changes were observed. Microbiome analysis confirmed a temporal trend. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) unique to lettuce and water included multidrug and β-lactam ARGs, whereas lettuce and soil uniquely shared mainly glycopeptide and tetracycline ARGs. Surface water carried clinically relevant ARB (e.g. ESBL-producing Escherichia coli or Serratia fonticola) without affecting the overall lettuce resistome significantly. Resistance markers including biocide and metal resistance were increased in lettuce grown with manure, especially young lettuce (increased soil contact). Overall, while all investigated environments had their share as sources of the lettuce resistome, manure was the main source especially on young plants. We therefore suggest minimizing soil–vegetable contact to minimize resistance markers on fresh produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branched‐chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are mostly saturated fatty acids with a methyl branch at the penultimate or antepenultimate position to the CH3 end. Very‐long‐chain BCFAs (C ≥ 20) are uniquely found in surface lipids. Human and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) are the only two species that possess vernix at birth, and vernix particles carry loads of BCFA to the gut, potentially influencing the establishment of the first microbiota. Horse (Equus caballus) contains high levels of BCFA in its surface lipids, and the current study aims to investigate if BCFA are components of a neonatal foal's gut. Electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to distinguish iso‐ and anteiso‐form of BCFA from straight‐chain fatty acids. Abundant very‐long‐chain iso‐BCFA, mainly even‐numbered iso‐20:0, iso‐22:0, iso‐24:0, and iso‐26:0 were found in horse meconium but not in their manure collected a few months later. There are little differences in BCFA types and concentrations between foal manure and adult manure. Moderate to high levels of very‐long‐chain anteiso‐BCFA were also found. Comparisons of horse meconium BCFA to horse skin cholesterol ester BCFA content and to meconium from human and sea lion suggest its skin derived origin. The study expands our knowledge on the gut nutritional environment of a newborn horse, and further study is needed to establish the relationship between gut BCFA and microbiota composition in the first few hours of life. Practical Applications: Branched‐chain fatty acids (BCFA) are bioactive compounds found in vernix caseosa, the lipid‐laden material covering the surface of a newborn baby. BCFA also reaches high concentrations from the third trimester of gestation until birth. However, the exact functionality and mechanisms of BCFA in the surface and gut of a fetus remain unclear. The current study aims to clarify the lipid conditions in the gut of newborn foals and to identify the associations between BCFA in the gut and on the skin at a critical point when the horse's microbiota establishes itself. The findings of the current study lay a path for studying the physiological functions of BCFA in horse models, potentially accelerating research related to BCFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How different fertilization practices modify soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the changes in SOC stocks and their physical fractions after 10 years of organic and inorganic fertilization. Five treatments were established under a wheat-maize system in Northern China: control (CK), chemical fertilizer (F), straw plus chemical fertilizer (SF), manure plus chemical fertilizer (MF), and straw and manure plus chemical fertilizer (SMF). The results showed that the SOC sequestration rate at 0–20 cm depth decreased in the following order: SMF (1.36 Mg C/ha/yr) > MF (1.13 Mg C/ha/yr) > SF (0.72 C/ha/yr) > F (0.15 Mg C/ha/yr) > CK (−0.25 Mg C/ha/yr). The values indicated that straw returning and manure application were important measures to achieve the "4 per 1000" target, and the application of manure was a more effective strategy. The high input of chemical fertilizer only maintained the initial SOC level and was not a powerful C-farming practice. A minimum input of 4.93 Mg C/ha/yr was required to keep the initial SOC storage. The SOC associated with small macroaggregate (0.25–2 mm) was the most sensitive indicator for the changes of bulk SOC. In addition, the accumulation of SOC under SMF, MF, and SF treatments mainly occurred in the occluded particulate organic C (oPOC) in small macroaggregates, indicating that the physical protection of macroaggregates played a predominant role in SOC sequestration. The SMF, MF, and SF treatments also displayed higher mineral organic C (mSOC) in soil aggregates than the CK and F treatments. A transformation of oPOC towards the mSOC fraction indicated that exogenous C further shifted into stable C pools under the physical protection of soil aggregates. In conclusion, these findings confirmed the important role of straw returning and manure application in SOC accumulation and stabilization, highlighting that a combination strategy of straw + manure + chemical fertilizer had the best effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Concentrations of specific secondary metabolites can be higher in organically grown crops. This may be linked to organic nitrogen (N) nutrition that provides a gradual supply of N to crops over the growing season. This study examined whether organic N nutrition influenced the concentration of glucosinolates in broccoli crops. Nitrogen release patterns were determined from three synthetic (Rustica, 12% N; calcium nitrate, 15.5% N; urea, 46% N) and two organic fertilizers in an incubation experiment. Broccoli seedlings were then grown in two N dose response pot trials with different N source or application timing treatments to investigate growth and glucosinolate responses. Synthetic fertilizers released 84 to 89% of total N after 28 days, while chicken manure pellets and composted cow manure had only released 52% and 13% of total N, respectively, after 91 days. Broccoli yield and N content were generally higher in synthetic fertilizer treatments. Glucosinolate concentrations were generally higher in the synthetic fertilizer treatments, and only sinigrin and glucoiberin concentrations in the 800 kg ha−1 N application rate of organic fertilizer matched those in the corresponding synthetic fertilizer treatment. Broccoli head weight was reduced when N was applied fortnightly compared to basal and weekly N applications, but glucosinolate concentrations were not significantly different. Overall, there was no evidence that organic (chicken manure) N nutrition, or the rate of N supply to broccoli plants, affect glucosinolate concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized the physicochemical properties of broiler poultry litter (BPL) produced from intensively reared commercial broilers that were collected from 110 commercial poultry farms at the end of the production cycle (sixth week). A further 20 samples were collected from the end use point where BPL was utilized as a soil amendment by the farmers after a period of storage for improving poultry litter management practices, developing new litter treatment technologies, or enhancing its use as a sustainable resource. The dry matter (DM), moisture, ash, organic matter (OM), and organic carbon (OC) from the manure samples were 83.04, 16.96, 27.08, 72.92, and 42.39%, respectively. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) (dS m−1), and Kjeldahl nitrogen (N) were 8.43, 5.74, and 24.2 g kg−1, respectively. The BPL from the cement floor had higher levels of P and K than the mud floor. The correlation studies revealed that the OM, C, N, and Zn had significant positive correlations; pH, moisture, and ash had positive correlations; and EC, DM, and Ca had positive correlations. The EC level of BPL negatively correlated with pH, Fe, and Mn. The N content was found to have a highly significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation with the OM, OC, Ca, and Zn content of BPL, and it was found to have a highly significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation with the ash content, pH, and K content of BPL. The P content of BPL showed a positive correlation (p < 0.01) with the K content and a negative correlation with the Zn (p < 0.05) and Fe (p < 0.01) contents of BPL. Zn was found to be negatively (p < 0.01) correlated with the ash content; the pH; and the K, Fe, and P content of BPL. According to the findings of this study, BPL as such at the end of the production cycle is rich in OM, nitrogen, macrominerals, and microminerals; however, at the point of utility (after a period of storage of 4 to 6 months), there was a loss of OM, N, and mineral concentrations, highlighting the importance of proper storage and composting. Overall, this study on the physicochemical properties of broiler poultry litter is crucial for improving agricultural practices, protecting the environment, and preserving the health and safety of human beings and livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address growing concerns about sustainable agriculture and waste management, this study aimed to explore the viability of tea waste as an eco-friendly alternative substrate for cultivating Charleston peppers (Capsicum annuum), with the goal of optimizing plant growth and yield while reducing soil dependence, lowering cultivation costs, and repurposing agro-industrial waste. Six different substrate combinations were evaluated: 1) Tea waste, 2) Tea waste + Manure, 3) Tea waste + Soil, 4) Manure + Soil, 5) Tea waste + Manure + Soil, and 6) Tea waste + Manure + Soil + Perlite. Data were analyzed using both multivariate and univariate analyses to assess significant differences among treatments. Notably, significant differences in stem diameter were observed among plants grown on different substrates (one-way MANOVA, p

Abstract This study addresses the effect of using animal excreta on the nutritional content of forages, focusing on macro- and micro-element concentrations (nitrogen; N, phosphorus; P, sulphur; S, copper; Cu, zinc; Zn, manganese; Mn, selenium; Se) from animal feed to excreta, soil, and plants. Data were collected from pot and field trials using separate applications of sheep or cattle urine and faeces. Key findings indicate that soil organic carbon (SOC) and the type of excreta significantly influences nutrient uptake by forages, with varied responses among the seven elements defined above. Although urine contributes fewer micronutrients compared to faeces (as applied at a natural volume/mass basis, respectively), it notably improves forage yield and micronutrient accumulation, thus potentially delivering positive consequences at the farm level regarding economic performance and soil fertility when swards upon clayey soil types receive said urine in temperate agro-climatic regions (i.e., South West England in the current context). In contrast, faeces application in isolation hinders Se and Mn uptake, once again potentially delivering unintended consequences such as micronutrient deficiencies in areas of high faeces deposition. As it is unlikely that (b)ovine grazing fields will receive either urine or faeces in isolation, we also explored combined applications of both excreta types which demonstrates synergistic effects on N, Cu, and Zn uptake, with either synergistic or dilution effects being observed for P and S, depending largely on SOC levels. Additionally, interactions between excreta types can result in dilution or antagonistic effects on Mn and Se uptake. Notably, high SOC combined with faeces reduces Mn and Se in forages, raising concerns for grazed ruminant systems under certain biotic situations, e.g., due to insufficient soil Se levels typically observed in UK pastures for livestock growth. These findings underscore the importance of considering SOC and excreta nutritional composition when designing forage management to optimize nutrient uptake. It should be noted that these findings have potential ramifications for broader studies of sustainable agriculture through system-scale analyses, as the granularity of results reported herein elucidate gaps in knowledge which could affect, both positively and negatively, the interpretation of model-based environmental impact assessments of cattle and sheep production (e.g., in the case of increased yields [beneficial] or the requirement of additional synthetic supplementation [detrimental]).

The present study was conducted to investigate the internal and external biosecurity levels and their association with Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in broiler farms in Khartoum State, Sudan. Sixty-six broiler farms were selected. A questionnaire of 77 questions on internal and external biosecurity measures was administered during each farm visit. A total of 360 blood samples were collected and used for serological examination to detect antibodies against M. gallisepticum. The overall score of biosecurity was 0.57, and the average score of internal biosecurity (0.75) was higher (p < /em>< 0.05). Fifty percent of the farms were positive for M. gallisepticum. The disease incidence correlated positively with the spread of manure on neighboring farms (rs= 0.44, p < /em>

Context: Ivermectin (IVM) and moxidectin (MOX), are widely used internal and external antiparasitic drugs for livestock. They enter into the aquatic environment because the treated animals metabolise only a small percentage of the administered doses, and the rest is eliminated through the faeces posing a risk to aquatic organisms. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the responses of zooplankton to environmentally relevant concentrations of IVM and MOX spiked in cattle dung in a short-term exposure. Methods: We compared the composition of the community, density, species richness, diversity and total biomass between treatments with parasiticides and controls. Key results: The presence of both antiparasitic drugs altered the zooplankton community structure, leading to a shift in species composition. Cladocerans were the most affected, with a drastic reduction in their density. Additionally, a decrease in the density of copepods and an increase in the density of rotifers were observed in the MOX treatments. Conclusions: Both drugs caused a simplification of the zooplankton community as species richness and diversity decreased. Overall, MOX was more toxic than IVM. Implications: Our results suggest that long-term consequences on ecosystem services could arise, which merits the development of control and livestock management tools for the protection of these environments. Popular antiparasitic drugs for livestock, ivermectin and moxidectin, are posing threats to aquatic ecosystems. In a brief laboratory study, we investigated their impact on zooplankton when administered through cattle dung. Results showed a disruption in zooplankton communities, with moxidectin being more toxic. These findings could have serious implications for long-term ecosystem health, emphasising the urgent need for protective measures and sustainable livestock management practices. (Image credit: Camila J. Lorente.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria is a pressing global issue. The bacterial defense system clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas acts as a barrier to the spread of antibiotic resistance plasmids, and CRISPR-Cas-based antimicrobials can be effective to selectively deplete antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While significant surveillance efforts monitor the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the clinical context, a major, often overlooked aspect of the issue is resistance emergence in agriculture. Farm animals are commonly treated with antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance in agriculture is on the rise. Yet, CRISPR-Cas efficacy has not been investigated in this setting. Here, we evaluate the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas in agricultural Enterococcus faecalis strains and its antiplasmid efficacy in an agricultural niche: manure. Analyzing 1,986 E. faecalis genomes from human and animal hosts, we show that the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas subtypes is similar between clinical and agricultural E. faecalis strains. Using plasmid conjugation assays, we found that CRISPR-Cas is a significant barrier against resistance plasmid transfer in manure. Finally, we used a CRISPR-based antimicrobial approach to cure resistant E. faecalis of erythromycin resistance, but this was limited by delivery efficiency of the CRISPR antimicrobial in manure. However, immunization of bacteria against resistance gene acquisition in manure was highly effective. Together, our results show that E. faecalis CRISPR-Cas is prevalent and effective in an agricultural setting and has the potential to be utilized for depleting antibiotic-resistant populations. Our work has broad implications for tackling antibiotic resistance in the increasingly relevant agricultural setting, in line with a One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To optimize and evaluate methods for the detection of the inflammatory biomarkers myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin (CP) in equine feces by ELISA. ANIMALS Healthy horses (n = 28) and horses with intestinal inflammation (n = 10). METHODS Feces were suspended in buffer to create fecal supernatant. Serum and fecal supernatant were analyzed using ELISA kits validated for the detection of MPO and CP in equine serum. Assay validation steps included intra- and interassay variability (coefficient of variation [CV]), dilution linearity, spike recovery, and sample type correlation. Variations in sample handling protocols (centrifugation speed, extraction buffer, and filtration) were evaluated. RESULTS 17 paired fecal and serum samples were used for initial analysis (10 healthy horses, 7 colitis). Previously reported sample handling protocols resulted in detectable MPO and CP but poor CV, linearity, and spike recovery. There was a linear correlation between serum and fecal samples for CP but not MPO. There was a significant difference between the concentration and CV of alternative sample handling protocols for CP and MPO, with improved CV for CP (2.1% to 18.6%) but not MPO (14.4% to 53.4%). Processing fresh feces with a fecal extraction buffer and filtration of supernatant resulted in the best CV (0.5% to 3.8%) and recovery (45% to 64%) for CP. Detection of MPO was inconsistent regardless of method. CLINICAL RELEVANCE There are few reliable diagnostic modalities for inflammation of the equine large colon. Findings support quantification of CP in equine feces using the described ELISA kit and protocol. With additional study to establish reference interval and clinical utility, the fecal inflammatory biomarker CP may allow for noninvasive quantification of intestinal inflammation in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) plays an integral part in Iowa's economic and environmental activities through its role as an essential nutrient and waterborne pollutant. However, the amount of phosphorus transported through these activities has not been well quantified. This study estimates the annual mass of P entering and exiting Iowa's landscape from 1998 to 2022 through seven transport pathways. Four input pathways (fertilizer application, manure production, industrial sources, and human sources) and three output pathways (harvesting, livestock grazing, and stream export) were quantified using various agricultural, economic, and water quality datasets. We also estimated the total mass of P present in the top 0.61 m layer of Iowa's landscape using results from a statewide soil sampling survey. The harvest component was the largest, with annual values consistently above 200 million kg. This was followed by the fertilizer and manure components, with annual values near 100 million kg. The other components were much smaller; the mean grazing and stream export values were 15 and 19 million kg, respectively, and human and industrial sources were less than 4 million kg. Stream export was the most dynamic pathway, with the largest coefficient of variation (0.59). The net P budget (inputs–outputs) was negative in 20 of the 25 years assessed, indicating that Iowa typically runs a P deficit. A trend analysis revealed that the manure, human, industry, and harvesting components increased across the 1998–2022 period while the grazing component decreased. The mass of P in Iowa's top layer of soil was 81.5 billion kg—orders of magnitude larger than any individual budget component. This analysis provides a new perspective on P transport pathways in Iowa and may help inform policymakers as they make decisions on the many activities involving P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehydrated manure from agricultural animal feedlots can become aerosolized and may potentially harbor viable antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Little is known about the dynamics and risk of bacteria in bioaerosols originating from the feedyard environment. Nutrient deficiency, desiccation, UV exposure, temperature, and pH changes can affect bacterial viability. In this study, we investigated the impact of changes in relative humidity (RH) and UV-B exposure on enteric bacterial survival in vitro to simulate environmental conditions in cattle feedyards. Cattle manure samples were placed in two separate chambers with 73% RH and 31% RH, respectively. For the UV-B experiment, samples were placed in a chamber exposed to UV-B (treated) or in a chamber exposed to LED light (control). Samples from both experiments were spiral plated in triplicate onto selective agar media to quantify total aerobic bacteria, E. coli (total and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR)), and Enterococcus spp. (total and AMR). Results showed that enteric bacteria from cattle manure can withstand at least two stress conditions, including low RH levels and UV-B exposure. Moreover, the data revealed that antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can persist in manure under the harsh conditions that may be encountered in a feedyard environment. These findings underscore the need for mitigation strategies in feedlots to minimize the overall risk of bioaerosol formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: The influence of organic amendments on the interplay among soil extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs) and their stoichiometry (EES) and nutrient availabilities, key indicators of resource limitations for soil microbes, is poorly understood. This study aims to investigate how manure compost (hereafter "manure") and its biochar derivative affect EEAs, EES and soil fertility. Materials and methods: We studied EEAs (BG, β-glucosidase; CBH, cellobiohydrolase; LAP, Leucine aminopeptidase; NAG, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase and AP, acid phosphatase), EES and soil fertility two years post-application of manure and biochar in central Alberta, Canada. Results and discussion: Applying manure and its biochar did not affect soil permanganate oxidable carbon (C), total phosphorus (P), and available P and nitroegn (N). Manure application increased NAG activity by 13.9% (75.9 nmol h−1 g−1 soil) relative to the control (66.6 nmol h−1 g−1 soil), whereas biochar application increased LAP activity by 22.1% (64.6 nmol h−1 g−1 soil) compared to the manure treatment (52.9 nmol h−1 g−1 soil), suggesting that manure addition caused microbial C limitation, while biochar addition led to microbial N limitation. However, both manure and biochar treatments did not affect soil NAG, CBH and AP, and enzymatic C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometry. Manure and biochar and their interactions with the soil ultimately affect soil physicochemical properties. Conclusions: Manure and its biochar differentially altered some soil N-cycling EEAs and C and N limitations two years after their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil-borne pathogens cause considerable crop losses and food insecurity in smallholder systems of sub-Saharan Africa. Soil and crop testing is critical for estimating pathogen inoculum levels and potential for disease development, understanding pathogen interactions with soil nutrient and water limitations, as well as for developing informed soil health and disease management decisions. However, formal laboratory analyses and diagnostic services for pathogens are often out of reach for smallholder farmers due to the high cost of testing and a lack of local laboratories. Methods: To address this challenge, we assessed the performance of a suite of simplified soil bioassays to screen for plant parasitic nematodes (e.g., Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus) and other key soil-borne pathogens (Pythium and Fusarium). We sampled soils from on-farm trials in western Kenya examining the impact of distinct nutrient inputs (organic vs. synthetic) on bean production. Key soil health parameters and common soil-borne pathogens were evaluated using both simple bioassays and formal laboratory methods across eleven farms, each with three nutrient input treatments (66 samples in total). Results and Discussion: The soil bioassays, which involved counting galls on lettuce roots and lesions on soybean were well correlated with the abundance of gall forming (Meloidogyne) and root lesion nematodes (e.g., Pratylenchus) recovered in standard laboratory-based extractions. Effectiveness of a Fusarium bioassay, involving the counting of lesions on buried bean stems, was verified via sequencing and a pathogenicity test of cultured Fusariumstrains. Finally, a Pythium soil bioassay using selective media clearly distinguished pathogen infestation of soils and infected seeds. When examining management impact on nematode communities, soils amended with manure had fewer plant parasites and considerably more bacterivore and fungivore nematodes compared to soils amended with synthetic N and P. Similarly, Pythium presence was 35% lower in soils amended with manure, while the Fusarium assays indicated 23% higher Fusarium infection in plots with amended manure. Our findings suggest that relatively simple bioassays can be used to help farmers assess soil-borne pathogens in a timely manner, with minimal costs, thus enabling them to make informed decisions on soil health and pathogen management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a global priority to ensure food security, environmental conservation and sustainability. The adoption of inputs such as organic manures, biofertilisers, and biopesticides has been widely promoted as a way to enhance agricultural sustainability, yet their adoption rates remain notably low. The study examines the determinants and impact of the adoption of multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India. The study also examines the drivers behind the intensity of their adoption and their technical efficiency. Methods: The study utilises the survey dataset on paddy farmers from "Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India" of the 77th National Sample Survey (NSSO) round. The reference period for data collection was the agricultural year from July 2018 to June 2019. The analytical methods employed include the Multivariate Probit and Ordered Probit models, Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Regression Adjustment model, and Stochastic Frontier method. Results: The empirical findings reveal that the adoption and intensity of sustainable inputs depend significantly on factors such as the household head's age and education, household size, and access to extension services. Adopting sustainable inputs has significant benefits, such as increased harvest value. However, the currently available technical advisory services are limited in effectively promoting the expenditure on sustainable inputs. Technical efficiency analysis underscores the potential for improvement and the importance of utilising optimal input levels. The research findings provide strong evidence in favour of advocating for the use of sustainable inputs in paddy farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined application of manure and mineral fertilizer represents an effective strategy for enhancing crop yield. However, the relationship between soil fertility and crop yield remains unclear in saline-alkaline soil. Here, a 9-year field experiment (2015–2023) was conducted to investigate the effects of manure application and crop rotations on crop yield and economic efficiency as well as potential associated mechanisms in the Hetao Irrigation District. The results showed that in the third cropping rotation cycle, combined application of manure and mineral fertilizers (NPKO) caused a 6.2%, 38.9%, 65.3%, and 132.2% increase in wheat, sunflower, wheat equivalent yield, and the economic income of sunflower, respectively. The average grain yield had a positive correlation with soil organic matter and nutrient supply. This suggested that the soil organic matter had a positive effect on the crop yield due to its impact on nutrient supply. Simultaneously, the sunflower seed setting rate increased by 65.2% under NPKO. The linear regression model revealed that each additional input of 20 Mg ha−1 of manure resulted in an increase of 3.56 kg ha−1 in crop phosphorus harvest and a 0.05 Kg ha−1 increase in wheat equivalent yield compared to NPK. In conclusion, our results highlighted that manure application promotes soil properties and improves crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable management of pig slurry (PS) in intensive farms is essential to reduce adverse environmental impacts and reduce the ecological footprint. If not managed properly, PS can release GHG/NH3 gases into the atmosphere and contaminate waters. This study evaluates the impact of an integral management system with physical and biological stages to mitigate the impact of PS. The system resulted in effective PS traceability, studying its physicochemical properties. The synergism in the whole system allowed a decrease in the most analyzed parameters during the autumn, spring, and summer. The pretreatment contributed significantly to obtaining an appreciable percentage of reduction in the constructed wetlands of SS (99–100%), COD (56–87%), TN (50–57%), and PO43− (88–100%). The emission values (g/m2/day) were 0–2.14 (CH4), 0–473.76 (CO2), 0–179.77 (H2O), 0–0.265 (N2O), and 0–0.195 (NH3), highlighting the raw, separated and manure fractions with the highest values. It is concluded that the system proves to be a practical, low-cost, and efficient technique for the treatment of PS. It significantly reduces the concentration of nutrients, and the intercepted byproducts can be valuable for application to the soil. In addition, the system effectively reduces GHG/NH3 emissions in decanted, purified, and wetland PS fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pesticides in agriculture is constantly rising in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Over the past decade, pesticide use per unit area of agricultural land has almost tripled. In 2008, this figure was 0.2 kg/ha, while in 2018, it reached 0.593 kg/ha. In crop production, pesticide application contaminates the soil, water, and plants with toxic residues, negatively affecting human health and the environment. Organic agriculture provides high-quality food and sustainable rural development. However, the development of organic crop production is slow in Kazakhstan. To date, field areas processed using organic production technologies are about 200,000 ha in Kazakhstan, as confirmed by European certifying organizations. In organic agriculture, employing biological agents (manures, straw, siderates, and biofertilizers), according to biological buffering laws, without disturbing the ecological balance, contributes to maintaining soil fertility and enhancing environmentally safe productivity. Plant protection measures require implementation through producing resistant crop genotypes and non-chemical methods like mechanical and biological in organic agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a nine-year field experiment in a wheat-maize-sunflower cropping system in Hetao Irrigation Area, Inner Mongolia, China, organic amendments applied as straw, manure, green manure, and the combination of green manure and straw increased wheat and maize yield, soil aggregate stability, and soil microbial activity in comparison with chemical fertilizer, without changing greenhouse gas emission intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthropogenic ammonia emissions, primarily derived from agriculture, lead to air pollution, soil acidification, and surface water eutrophication, all of which adversely affect human health and ecosystems. Slurry treatment technologies in the form of additives represent an underutilized means of reducing gaseous emissions. Information regarding the potential of additives to reduce ammonia in soil surface‐applied slurries is scarce. Aim: This study aims to develop a 15N mass balance technique to quantitatively measure ammonia losses from different slurries containing multiple additives that are applied to outdoor soil‐filled containers. Methods: The experiments were performed under free‐air conditions. Isotopically labeled slurries from biogas, cattle, and pigs containing 18 additives were surface‐applied to soil‐filled containers and exposed for 72 or 48 h. The additives included inorganic and organic adsorbents, five amounts of sulfuric acids, molasses ± effective microorganisms, and water dilution. After termination of the ammonia loss period, a suite of soil preparation steps for the quantitative recovery of the labeled ammonium remaining in the soil was developed, and subsequently the loss of NH4‐N was determined. Results: In the control treatments, ammonia losses from biogas, cattle slurries, and pig slurries averaged 54.4%, 33.9%, and 11.0%, respectively. The adsorbents did not decrease or only slightly decreased ammonia emissions. Ammonia abatement by sulfuric acid was nearly complete at pH values of 5.9 and 5.8 for the biogas and pig slurry, respectively, and about 80% at pH 5.2 for the cattle slurry. In comparison, more moderately decreased pH values with sulfuric acid showed a similar reduction as molasses and a 1:1 dilution for the three slurries. Adding microorganisms to the molasses did not further decrease ammonia losses. Conclusion: The newly developed 15N mass balance technique, which allows a precise estimate of ammonia losses, can serve as a reference method to assess ammonia losses from field‐applied slurries containing various additives and as a standard comparison technique for other ammonia measurement techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated anaerobic biodigestion (AD) of livestock manure, including camel dung (CD) and sheep manure (SM) mixed with tomato and rumen at different mixed ratios under mesophilic (24-34 ℃) conditions. The study yielded successful results, as the process was able to produce sustainable bioenergy. Predicted biogas data was acquired through fundamental mathematical calculations using SPSS statistical analysis by nonlinear regression. Three kinetic models, namely the modified Gompertz, Logistic, and Transference models, were used for simulating the daily biogas produced from the examinations, and model parameters were determined simultaneously. The three models performed well in AD simulations, with high correlation coefficient values (R-squared) and low root mean square error (RMSE), showing a significant link between experimental data and model parameters. However, modified Gompertz demonstrated an improved fit in the simulation of the measurements, as it could accurately represent the curves in the plots, with the highest R-squared of 0.987 compared to Logistics 0.981 and Transference models 0.933, and the lowest RMSE was 0.356 compared to 0.432, and 0.812, respectively. This work suggested that a modified Gompertz model is suitable for estimating the biogas yield potential. The findings also show that rumen, tomato, and control biodigesters operating in mesophilic environments are dependable choices for producing biogas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of agroindustrial waste, such as press mud from the sugar industry, presents a compelling opportunity to address both economic and environmental concerns. Press mud is obtained during sugarcane juice clarification, is rich in sugar, minerals, and nutrients, making it a valuable resource for various applications. Since it is rich in nutrient, primarily press mud is used as manure for crop growth such as rice, maize, and wheat especially sugarcane. It increases the higher quality, yield, shoot, and root length. Press mud is mixed with bioinoculants, inorganic fertilizer, and it also contains native inoculum. It reduces the usage of chemical fertilizer. In addition to fertilizer, press mud is also used as biofuel, with detailed exploration into its conversion into biogas, biocompressed natural gas, and hydrogen, providing renewable resource, cost effective, eco-friendly alternatives, and contributions. Press mud role as an animal feed is delved into showcasing its inclusion in diets for layers, swine, broilers, and lambs and demonstrating its potential to reduce expenses without compromising growth. The economic, energetic, and environmental feasibility of these processes are discussed, highlighting the potential of press mud to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions. Sugarcane press mud is positioned as a versatile and valuable resource through this comprehensive exploration, offering solutions to waste management, agricultural enhancement, and sustainable energy production. The widespread adoption of press mud utilization is advocated by the findings, promoting a holistic approach to address both agricultural and environmental challenges. In future days, press mud can be explored as potential bioinoculant, renewable sources, and viable alternative feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are widespread in the environment, and soils, specifically, are hotspots for microorganisms with inherent antibiotic resistance. Manure and sludge used as fertilizers in agricultural production have been shown to contain vast amounts of ARGs, and due to continued applications, ARGs accumulate in agricultural soils. Some soils, however, harbor a resilience capacity that could depend on specific soil properties, as well as the presence of predatory bacteria that are able to hydrolyse living bacteria, including bacteria of clinical importance. The objectives of this study were to (i) investigate if the antibiotic resistance profile of the soil microbiota could be differently affected by the addition of cow manure, chicken manure, and sludge, and (ii) investigate if the amendments had an effect on the presence of predatory bacteria. The three organic amendments were mixed separately with a field soil, divided into pots, and incubated in a greenhouse for 28 days. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to quantify three ARGs, two predatory bacteria, and total number of bacteria. In this study, we demonstrated that the choice of organic amendment significantly affected the antibiotic resistance profile of soil, and promoted the growth of predatory bacteria, while the total number of bacteria was unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representative samples of litter and/or manure from 12 of the most common poultry systems were collected and analysed to provide an accurate nutrient profile from each system. For many systems (turkeys, broilers under indirect heating systems, and pullets), there were no previous values with which to compare composition, but for other systems (broiler breeders and layers), nitrogen and phosphate content were lower as a result of changes in diet and advancements in genetics and management. Nitrogen and phosphate output per 1000 birds was calculated for each system using analysed values for nitrogen and phosphate and measured litter/manure output. Due to a lack of data, it was not possible to compare the nutrient profile of all systems with published values, but where this was possible, some important differences were apparent. For example, the nitrogen and phosphate contents of BB (0–18 weeks) litter were 31% lower and 73% higher than current standard values. Similar differences were also observed for BB (18–60 weeks) (26% lower in nitrogen and 51% higher in phosphate). Turkey litter was found to contain 14% less nitrogen and 37% less phosphate than standard values. Litter from pullet systems contained higher levels of DM (72%), nitrogen, and phosphate than standard values. Litter from free range laying systems also contained higher DM (46%), nitrogen, and phosphate than standard values. This information will be useful in updating environmental legislation and ensuring that poultry producers are able to calculate accurate nutrient management plans for their enterprises. This study also established relations between litter/manure dry matter (DM) and nutrient profile, meaning that this simple measured parameter can be used to predict nutrient profile. The strongest relations were observed between DM and N (R2 = 0.65), DM and phosphate (R2 = 0.53), and DM and MgO (R2 = 0.69). The weakest relation was observed between DM and WSP content (R2 = 0.21), although still significant (p = 0.046). It was concluded that it is necessary to consider the relation within individual systems when using DM as a predictor of nutrient profile rather than using a combined system approach. The water-soluble phosphorus (WSP) content of litter/manure was determined and a baseline was established for each production system. It was also shown that DM is positively related (p < 0.05) to WSP content. This will be important for future legislative compliance based on the WSP content of litter/manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of environmentally safe products is a pressing issue for many countries worldwide. In the post-war period, Ukraine's agricultural sector will require new, science-based technologies to restore production and ensure the production of ecologically safe cow's milk. A study was conducted to assess the ecological state of Ukraine's forest-steppe zone, steppe, and woodlands, along with an analysis of organic and biological agriculture. The findings were supported by experimental research on producing ecologically safe milk. The experiment involved dairy cows of the black and red-speckled breeds, adhering to methods commonly accepted in zootechnical practice. For each sample, the average value (M) and standard deviation (SD) were calculated, with estimates presented as M ± SD. Differences between mean values were considered statistically significant at P<0.05, and the calculations were performed using the STATISTICA software package version 10.0. Environmental pollution by cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), resulting from industrial activities and mining, has negatively impacted agroecosystems. There are successful examples of organic and biological farming in Ukraine, with dairy products from agricultural enterprises meeting both national and international quality standards. The experiment tested methods to improve the technology of producing eco-safe milk by feeding dairy cows a special mineral-vitamin premix combined with a phytobiopreparation, which enhanced the excretion of toxicants through excrement and resulted in the production of ecologically safe milk in compliance with EC Regulation No. 853/2004 and No. 1881/2006. The use of manure as an organic fertilizer in organic farms necessitates systematic monitoring of pollutant migration in the soils of livestock farms. Further research is needed to understand the impact of pollutants on the somatic cell content in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing adequate levels of plant available P in soil is an important management practice for boosting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields and nutritive value. Although several ways of supplementing P at various stages of plant growth are in practice, pre-plant application of P through various organic and inorganic nutrient sources are largely under-investigated. Therefore, a three-year study was conducted at the New Mexico State University Rex. E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center, Tucumcari, NM USA, to investigate the impact of manure (pre-plant applied @ 22.5 Mg ha−1vs. no manure) and inorganic P sources (00-46-00 or 11-52-00) applied to soil either in one-time bulk (336 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated) or split applications (112 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated with an additional 112 kg P2O5 ha−1 surface-applied annually) on the yield and nutritive value of alfalfa and residual soil characteristics. Results demonstrated that pre-plant manure application had statistically no advantage in improving the alfalfa forage yield compared to control (p > 0.05), although there was strong evidence of a consistent yield increase trend in all manure treatments. Forage nutritive value parameters such as ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber), NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber), K, and Zn were significantly improved by manure supplementation. Manure application improved most soil quality parameters, especially the soil Nitrate-N, Olsen P, K, S, and Zn contents. Inorganic P fertilizer type or application strategy had no significant impact on alfalfa yield and nutritive value and soil characteristics. Most interactions (both two-way and three-way) among the tested treatments had no significant impact on the study parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the effect of using animal excreta on the nutritional content of forages, focusing on macro- and micro-element concentrations (nitrogen; N, phosphorus; P, sulphur; S, copper; Cu, zinc; Zn, manganese; Mn, selenium; Se) from animal feed to excreta, soil, and plants. Data were collected from pot and field trials using separate applications of sheep or cattle urine and faeces. Key findings indicate that soil organic carbon (SOC) and the type of excreta significantly influences nutrient uptake by forages, with varied responses among the seven elements defined above. Although urine contributes fewer micronutrients compared to faeces (as applied at a natural volume/mass basis, respectively), it notably improves forage yield and micronutrient accumulation, thus potentially delivering positive consequences at the farm level regarding economic performance and soil fertility when swards upon clayey soil types receive said urine in temperate agro-climatic regions (i.e., South West England in the current context). In contrast, faeces application in isolation hinders Se and Mn uptake, once again potentially delivering unintended consequences such as micronutrient deficiencies in areas of high faeces deposition. As it is unlikely that (b)ovine grazing fields will receive either urine or faeces in isolation, we also explored combined applications of both excreta types which demonstrates synergistic effects on N, Cu, and Zn uptake, with either synergistic or dilution effects being observed for P and S, depending largely on SOC levels. Additionally, interactions between excreta types can result in dilution or antagonistic effects on Mn and Se uptake. Notably, high SOC combined with faeces reduces Mn and Se in forages, raising concerns for grazed ruminant systems under certain biotic situations, e.g., due to insufficient soil Se levels typically observed in UK pastures for livestock growth. These findings underscore the importance of considering SOC and excreta nutritional composition when designing forage management to optimize nutrient uptake. It should be noted that these findings have potential ramifications for broader studies of sustainable agriculture through system-scale analyses, as the granularity of results reported herein elucidate gaps in knowledge which could affect, both positively and negatively, the interpretation of model-based environmental impact assessments of cattle and sheep production (e.g., in the case of increased yields [beneficial] or the requirement of additional synthetic supplementation [detrimental]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus is one of the major constraints to karst grassland productivity. Understanding the effects of different fertilization practices on soil phosphorus dynamics is essential for enhancing phosphorus bioavailability and rational management of soil phosphorus in karst grasslands. Here, we investigated the effects of fertilizers and manures on soil bioavailability of phosphorus fractions and explored the relationship between soil properties and soil phosphorus fractions. The four fertilizer application designs were as follows: control (CK; no fertilizer or manure); fertilization (F); manure application (M); fertilization and manure application (FM). The results showed that total phosphorus (TP) concentration was elevated by 23%, 1%, and 42% in F, M, and FM treatments, respectively, compared with CK. F and FM treatments enhanced the total inorganic phosphorus (Pi) concentration by 65% and 66%, respectively, while M and FM treatments enhanced the total organo-phosphorus (Po) concentration by 21% and 35%, respectively. FM treatment elevated bioavailable P, active Po, secondary mineral P, primary mineral P, and occluded P by 69%, 39%, 50%, 31%, and 41%, respectively. Fertilizers inhibited soil acid phosphatase activity, whereas alkaline phosphatase did not respond significantly to fertilizer management in low-latitude karst regions. SOM, TN, AP, and MBP are the key factors affecting the bioavailability of phosphorus fractions. The combined application of fertilizer and manure is the most beneficial measure for enhancing soil phosphorus bioavailability. This research helps deepen our understanding of soil phosphorus dynamics in the karst areas and provides a basis for further enhancement of nutrient availability and vegetation productivity of grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bench scale experiment trial was conducted for heavy metal contaminated industrial soil. Three experiments were carried out using bioreactors (glass pot) of 5 liters capacity filled with mixed organic amendments (sugarcane waste, egg shell, cow manure and goat manure) inoculated with fresh cow dung. The pH of the contaminated soil increased from 5.2 to 7.4 and electrical conductivity from 4317 to 5268 µs/cm. In addition copper removal of 84.60%, manganese removal of 91.21%, lead removal of 76.14, zinc removal of 53.82% were observed in this study. This study reports the feasibility of various bioreactors (glass pot) using microorganism for treating toxic heavy metals rich contaminated soil from various industries. Both manures and cellulosic waste provided to be equally successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is a major constraint for crop productivity as it reduces agricultural land area. This problem can be ameliorated by the application of organic materials such as manure, which plays an important role in supporting plant growth and reducing soil toxicity by binding toxic compounds. The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of manure in overcoming the impact of salt stress on shallots. Here randomised block design (RBD) consisting of 2 factors and 3 replications was used. The first factor is salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM), and the second is manure doses (0, 10 and 20 t·ha-1). This study finds that the application of 20 t·ha-1 of manure decreases the shallot's leaf tissue thickness, but the 50 mM of salinity significantly increases it. Then, the application of 20 t·ha-1 of manure increases the shallot's number of tillers and bulbs, while the 100 mM of salinity significantly decreases its number of tillers. The application of 10 t·ha-1 of manure decreases the proline and flavonoids content of the plant's leaves. In addition, plants treated and not treated with manure under 50 mM of salinity have higher proline and flavonoids levels in their leaf. Therefore, shallots can grow under salinity conditions if manure is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the internal and external biosecurity levels and their association with Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in broiler farms in Khartoum State, Sudan. Sixty-six broiler farms were selected. A questionnaire of 77 questions on internal and external biosecurity measures was administered during each farm visit. A total of 360 blood samples were collected and used for serological examination to detect antibodies against M. gallisepticum. The overall score of biosecurity was 0.57, and the average score of internal biosecurity (0.75) was higher (p<0.01) than the average score of external biosecurity (0.51). Poor internal biosecurity practices were observed in 23.4% of broiler farms, whereas most farms (93.6%) recorded poor external biosecurity. A significant (p<0.01) positive correlation was encountered between the external biosecurity and the number of houses (0.62), as well as the number of workers (rs= 0.54). Both internal and external biosecurity displayed significant positive correlations with the number of birds (rs= 0.64, 0.35; p< 0.05). Fifty percent of the farms were positive for M. gallisepticum. The disease incidence correlated positively with the spread of manure on neighboring farms (rs= 0.44, p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between the presence of Mycoplasma and the distance between farms (rs= -0.50, p<0.01) as well as farm enclosure (rs= -0.44, p<0.05). It is concluded that broiler farms in Khartoum State exhibited low biosecurity measures and a high seroprevalence of M. gallisepticum infection. Further efforts are necessary to improve external biosecurity practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine if the odor profile of Bos taurus manure could be altered by the addition of the simple saccharides glucose, lactose, and sucrose. Sucrose was added to manure slurry at 0, 12.5, 25, 50, or 125 g L−1, while glucose and lactose were added at 0, 6.45, 13.2, 26.4, or 65.8 g L−1. One hundred mL slurries were incubated in capped bottles at 30 °C for four weeks. Biogas production was measured throughout the incubations, and the pH and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were measured at the end of the incubations. Odor compounds of the final manure slurries were isolated by stir bar sorptive extraction and identified by stir bar gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Unamended manure had high concentrations of the typical manure malodorants phenol, p-cresol, p-ethylphenol, indole, and skatole. The addition of the sugars decreased these malodors in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of sugars shifted odor production to aliphatic esters including ethyl butyrate and propyl propanoate. The sugar-amended manure therefore had a different odor profile than the unamended manure did. The addition of sugar also caused the accumulation of short-chain fatty acids and, thus, decreased the pH of the manure. The production of lactic acid was particularly enhanced at high concentrations of sugar, suggesting that lactic acid bacteria could be responsible for changes in the odor profile. Future research will investigate if the addition of lesser concentrations of sugars or agricultural and food wastes rich in carbohydrates can reduce manure malodor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern agricultural production, cattle manure waste recovery is considered as a sustainable approach to agricultural waste management, reducing environmental pollution and chemical fertilizer use. This study aimed to investigate the effects of manure and digestate derived from a pilot-scale livestock waste-recycling system, in combination with a low copper concentration as a fungicide, on the physiological response of lettuce cv Rufus (Lactuca sativa L.) plants and the associated soil microbiome. A five-week microcosm experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under environmental conditions. Lettuce plant performance was assessed in terms of biomass, leaf area index, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll measurements, lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content, and nutrient uptake. The results suggested that incorporating digestate into the potting soil mix significantly enhanced crop yields compared to the control and manure treatments. The soil microbial activity increased in the presence of fertilizers, improving the soil chemical and biological properties. The addition of copper negatively affected the growth and physiological performance of the lettuce plants under both the control and manure-treated conditions, except for those grown in the presence of digestate, where copper accumulation was reduced. These findings highlight the potential of growing horticultural crops using organic fertilization through livestock waste anaerobic digestate, establishing a waste-to-food recycling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compost teas are watery fermented extracts with proven suppressive effects against plant pathogens. Compost teas were prepared from six different compost sources and assayed for in vitro effects against Botrytis cinerea growth. In vivo, weekly foliar application of compost teas on tomato plants and a tomato leaflet trial with undiluted and 10 × diluted teas were conducted to assess effects on grey mould caused by B. cinerea. Results showed that all tested compost teas inhibited B. cinerea growth when unsterilized. Heat- and cold-sterilization of compost teas reduced or eliminated inhibitory effects, suggesting that the presence of microorganisms is essential for inhibitory efficacy. When used as foliar sprays, bovine manure (BOV), shrimp (SHR), and garden-leaves-straw (GLS) compost teas effectively reduced disease severity for six weeks. In leaflet trials, BOV, GLS, and garden waste (GAR) compost teas caused the greatest delay in grey mould lesion expansion. Moreover, BOV, GLS, and, in particular, SHR compost teas were equally effective in undiluted and diluted form. Microbial characterization showed varying microbial compositions across all compost teas, with notably large populations of fungi or oomycetes and Pseudomonas spp. in GLS. There was no clear relationship between the source of compost (manure, other animal by-product, solely plant-based) and efficacy against grey mould. Results also indicate that the abundance of microbial populations and subpopulations did not correlate with the inhibitory effects of the teas. The diversity of microbial populations or the presence of particular microbial species is more likely to be a determining factor of compost tea efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RISMEAU project (RISques liés aux résidus de Médicaments, biocides et antibiorésistance d'origine humaine et vétérinaire sur les ressources en EAU du bassin versant de l'Arve – Risks related to residues of pharmaceuticals and biocides, and antimicrobial resistance of human and veterinary origin on the water resources of the 2083 km2 Arve catchment located in the French Alps) was implanted from 2018 to 2024 on the SIPIBEL observatory. It was devoted to the evaluation of (i) transfers of and processes related to pharmaceutical residues and biocides from both urban sludge and manure spread on fields as fertilisers, and (ii) the environmental impacts of land spreading, in particular the ecotoxicological risks and antimicrobial resistance dissemination. The methodology was based on the physico-chemical, ecotoxicological and antimicrobial resistance (AMR – assessed by molecular biology) characterisation of leachate and soil matrices samples, and focused on organic waste products application at locally representative agronomic rates. This dataset can be reused by other researchers for comparison with their own investigations on this emerging topic under different contexts and conditions, and may contribute to international reviews.The database includes in total 26,217 values, measured on 348 samples of organic waste products, soil, in situ lysimeter leachate, earthworms, plants with 3136 usual physico-chemical values, 15,469 values on pharmaceuticals and biocides concentrations, 6827 bioassay values (ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity) and 785 values of antimicrobial resistance indicators. The 348 samples have been collected from Nov. 2019 to Dec. 2022: 4 samples in 2019, 26 in 2020, 130 in 2021 and 188 in 2022. Regarding AMR, 96 assays coding for most abundant resistance genes in healthy humans, clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes, biocide resistance genes, heavy metal genes, integrons (class I, II and III), and mobile genetic elements (transposase genes) have been carried out.