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Critical tests for determination of microbiological quality and biological activity in commercial vermicompost samples of different origins

  • Environmental biotechnology
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Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to show that differences in biological activity among commercially produced vermicompost samples can be found by using a relatively simple test system consisting of microorganism tests on six microbiological media and soilless seedling growth tests with four vegetable crop species. Significant differences in biological properties among analyzed samples were evident both at the level of microbial load as well as plant growth-affecting activity. These differences were mostly manufacturer- and feedstock-associated, but also resulted from storage conditions of vermicompost samples. A mature vermicompost sample that was produced from sewage sludge still contained considerable number of Escherichia coli. Samples from all producers contained several potentially pathogenic fungal species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Pseudallescheria boidii, Pseudallescheria fimeti, Pseudallescheria minutispora, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium prolificans, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Stachybotrys chartarum, Geotrichum spp., Aphanoascus terreus, and Doratomyces columnaris. In addition, samples from all producers contained plant growth-promoting fungi from the genera Trichoderma and Mortierella. The described system can be useful both for functional studies aiming at understanding of factors affecting quality characteristics of vermicompost preparations and for routine testing of microbiological quality and biological activity of organic waste-derived composts and vermicomposts.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Diāna Caune, Jānis Garančs, Andrejs Hansons, Linards Lepse, and Rihards Pulturs for donation of compost and vermicompost samples used in the present study. We are grateful to Prof. Guntis Brūmelis for improving English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 4 Kronvalda Blvd, Riga, 1586, Latvia

    Lelde Grantina-Ievina, Dace Berkolde-Pīre & Vizma Nikolajeva

  2. Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 4 Kronvalda Blvd, Riga, 1586, Latvia

    Una Andersone & Gederts Ievinsh

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  1. Lelde Grantina-Ievina
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Correspondence to Gederts Ievinsh.

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Grantina-Ievina, L., Andersone, U., Berkolde-Pīre, D. et al. Critical tests for determination of microbiological quality and biological activity in commercial vermicompost samples of different origins. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 10541–10554 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-4825-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-4825-x

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