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Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Current Trends in Composting and Vermicomposting Technologies and Their Utilization
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Current Trends in Composting and Vermicomposting Technologies and Their Utilization

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024 | Viewed by 4380

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Norman Q. Arancon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resource Management, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Interests: vermicomposting; composting; soil ecology; organic agriculture; tropical fruit crop production; sustainable agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Composting and vermicomposting are sustainable waste management practices that utilize organic waste and resources from household, industrial, and agricultural streams. These technologies have gained significant attention over the past few years due to their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health. This Special Issue aims to present the latest advancements in composting and vermicomposting technologies, their utilization in agriculture and horticulture, and their environmental benefits. We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore the optimization of composting and vermicomposting technologies, their use in soil health and fertility, and their role in reducing waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. We encourage scholars to contribute to the exchange of valuable insights and discoveries on sustainable waste management practices and their environmental impact.

Prof. Dr. Norman Q. Arancon
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • composting
  • vermicomposting
  • soil health
  • soil fertility
  • soil biology
  • biological waste management
  • organic soil amendments

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1063 KiB  
Article
Combined Application of Filter Cake and Macadamia Husk Compost Affects Soil Fertility and Plant Mineral Content of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes
by Kayode Fatokun, Nozipho M. Motsa, Jacque Cloete, Samkelo Radebe and Mbukeni A. Nkomo
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11250; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011250 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 724
Abstract
A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of the combined application of filter cake and macadamia husk compost (FC+MHC) on the soil fertility and dry matter partitioning of Beauregard and 199062.1 cultivars of orange-fleshed sweet potato. The effects of the [...] Read more.
A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of the combined application of filter cake and macadamia husk compost (FC+MHC) on the soil fertility and dry matter partitioning of Beauregard and 199062.1 cultivars of orange-fleshed sweet potato. The effects of the two organic wastes on the mineral nutrients in the leaves and the storage roots of the 199062.1 cultivar were also investigated. In addition to FC+MHC, four other treatments—filter cake only (FC), macadamia husk compost only (MHC), inorganic fertilizer only (IF), a combination of filter cake and inorganic fertilizer (FC+IF), a combination of macadamia husk compost and inorganic fertilizer (MHC+IF), and a control (CONT)—were included in the investigation for the purpose of comparison. To achieve this, 1 kg of compost was homogenized with 20 kg of soil and filled into graduated 25 L buckets. The experimental design was completely randomized. The plants were grown for 4 months. The results indicated that all treatments altered the soil fertility positively. There were indications that both filter cake and macadamia husk compost inhibited the absorption of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al). Also, zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies in the initial soil were corrected after the application of the organic wastes. In terms of yield, FC+MHC was better than all other treatments. The outcome of this study will no doubt greatly benefit the resource-poor farmers of Northern KwaZulu-Natal who are involved in the production of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Trends in Composting and Vermicomposting Technologies and Their Utilization)
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19 pages, 7097 KiB  
Article
Vermicast Analysis with the Earthworm Species Pheretima losbanosensis (Crassiclitellata: Megascolecidae): Bacterial Profiles for Potential Applications in Agriculture
by Maria Reynalen F. Mapile, Nonillon M. Aspe and Marie Christine M. Obusan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10364; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810364 - 16 Sep 2023
Viewed by 2946
Abstract
In the Philippines, the use of non-native earthworm species in vermicomposting is popular. Given that the country is a vital geographical resource for earthworm diversity, the study of earthworm species to establish the potential of their vermicasts in agricultural applications is essential. In [...] Read more.
In the Philippines, the use of non-native earthworm species in vermicomposting is popular. Given that the country is a vital geographical resource for earthworm diversity, the study of earthworm species to establish the potential of their vermicasts in agricultural applications is essential. In this study, the bacteria associated with the vermicasts of the recently described indigenous species, Pheretima losbanosensis, were investigated using next-generation sequencing, community-level physiological profiling, and NPK activity screening. The results showed diverse bacterial species belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Spirochaetes, Thermodesulfobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. Higher diversity and carbon substrate utilization (p < 0.05) of amines and amides, phenolic compounds, polymers, and carboxylic and acetic acids were exhibited by the bacterial communities of P. losbanosensis compared to those of Eudrilus eugeniae. Likewise, bacteria (n = 25) isolated from P. losbanosensis vermicasts had higher nitrogen fixation and phosphate and potassium solubilization activities (p < 0.05) than the bacteria (n = 20) isolated from E. eugeniae vermicasts. Overall, our results indicate that the diverse bacterial communities inhabiting the vermicasts of P. losbanosensis have nutrient mineralization and carbon substrate utilization activities that may have applications in sustainable agriculture as a potential organic input to promote plant growth and improve soil substrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Trends in Composting and Vermicomposting Technologies and Their Utilization)
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