Chemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Composts

Abstract

This study was carried out in Bauchi state northern guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria to determine the chemical and microbiological characteristics composts. The composts materials consisted of three plant residues and two animal manures. The treatments were factorially combined to give four treatments. The method of composting adopted was the pit methods using 1.5 m × 1.5 m × 1 m length, breadth and depth, respectively. Total microbial count was determined by serial dilution of the sample using nutrient agar. The colony counted and data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using genstat statistical package. The result showed variations among the treatments in all the parameters tested. Treatment one (T₁) presented the highest microbial counts (11cfu/g for bacteria) and (59 cfu/g for fungi), while the treatment T₂ produced the lowest counts (4 cfu/g for bacteria) and (11 cfu for) fungi). Treatment T₄   had the highest organic carbon (26.63 mg/kg and available P (33.66%), while Treatment T₃ had the highest pH (8.21) but it was similar to that of T₁.The highest water holding capacity (WHC) (51%) was observed in T₁.Total N was highest in T₃ (1.25 gkg^-1).