Biochar influences the microbial community structure during manure composting with agricultural wastes.
The influence of biochar derived from a hardwood tree (Quercus serrate Murray) on the dynamics of the microbial community during the composting of poultry manure (PM) and cow manure (CM) was evaluated by phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFAs). Changes in the PLFA patterns were related to key composting properties (C/N ratio, temperature, and bulk density) as the major drivers of the dynamics of the microbial community. At the beginning of the process, the fungal biomass was significantly greater in PM and CM than in the respective co-composted materials with biochar (PMB and CMB); this difference declined gradually during the process. In contrast, the Gram+ to Gram- ratio was increased by the presence of biochar. After 12 weeks of composting, factor analysis based on the relative abundances of single PLFAs revealed changes in the microbial community structure which depended on the original organic wastes (CM vs PM).
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Department of Soil Conservation and Waste Management, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Keiji
K
Jindo
Miguel A
MA
Sánchez-Monedero
Teresa
T
Hernández
Carlos
C
García
Toru
T
Furukawa
Kazuhiro
K
Matsumoto
Tomonori
T
Sonoki
Felipe
F
Bastida
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002606:Charcoal / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D011200:Poultry; D029963:Quercus; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013997:Time Factors
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008372:Manure; D010743:Phospholipids; D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal