Biogas Generation from Co-Digestion Waste Systems: The Role of Water Hyacinth

Using biomass as a renewable energy source has earned tremendous interest from researchers in recent decades, especially because the technology is environmentally benign. This article reviews the recent methods for generating biogas from water hyacinth (WH, Eichornia crassipes), arguably the world’s most evasive aquatic macrophyte. Therefore, various economic, environmentally benign, and renewable procedures that enhance biogas production from WH biomass are reviewed. WH has been co-digested with numerous waste types, including poultry droppings, municipal wastes, animal tissue wastes, pig wastes, cow dungs, etc., recording varying success degrees. Other studies focused on optimizing the operation parameters, such as mixing ratio, contact time, pH, temperature, organic loading rate, etc. We observed that most attempts to generate biogas from WH alone were not promising. However, when co-digested with other biomasses or wastes, WH either increases the process rate or improves the methane yield content. Also, the potential of WH as a phytoremdiator-cum-biogas source was investigated. This chapter provides mathematical models, scale-up installation models, and specific experimental results from various studies to guide future study plans toward optimizing CH4 generation from WH co-digestion.

Planting date and fertilizer type influenced soil quality indices and soybean (Glycine max L.) yields in derived savannah of Nigeria

Soybean is grown in many parts of Northern Nigeria, with little climatic challenges and soil organic matter. There is need to investigate possible influence of planting date of the crop in Southeastern Nigeria, an environment that is rather foreign to the crop. A study was carried out in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons at Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, to evaluate the influence of different planting dates and fertilizer types on selected soil physical and chemical properties, growth and yield of soybean. A split plot in a randomized complete block design was used with planting date (May and June) as the main plots, while six fertilizer types (poultry-droppings manure 5 t ha–1, swine-droppings manure 5 t ha–1, rice-husk dust 5 t ha–1, NPK 15:15:15 at 150 kg ha–1, urea at 100 kg ha–1 and the control) constituted the sub-plots. At crop maturity, some soil quality indices and pod and grain yields (t ha–1) of soybean were assessed. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen contents were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by both planting date and fertilizer type in 2018 and 2019, while soil pH was improved significantly (p < 0.05) only by fertilizer type in these two cropping seasons. Mean-weight diameter of aggregates, soil bulk density and SOC stock as well as soybean yields were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by both planting date and fertilizer type in the two seasons. Generally, planting in May improved soil total nitrogen and soybean pod yield whereas planting in June improved the other soil quality indices and soybean grain yield, the best soil amendment in either case being poultry-droppings manure but sometimes parameter-specific. The choice of planting date (May or June) in soybean production in the derived savannah and the soil amendment to use in the enterprise thus has both agronomic and environmental implications. Such a choice would depend on the indices of soil quality and/or the aspects of soybean yields (pod or grain) whose improvements the farmer intends to achieve at crop maturity.

Occupational and Environmental Health Concerns on Unsafe Acts and Conditions in Poultry Production Sites in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: Many food animal production facilities are sited close to human residence. This research work seeks to establish the occupational and environmental burdens of unsafe acts and conditions in backyard poultry production sites in the area of study in order to validate the compliance level of poultry farmers to common safety regulations. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from February 2017 to December 2019. Methodology: A well-structured questionnaire was administered to farm managers and residents within the area of study. Data on poultry management attitudes and history of water use were collected. The coordinates of the poultry sites, natural water bodies, source area and their relative distances were determined using the Geographical System Information Software, Mapit GIS. Fecal droppings from poultry birds were randomly sampled with a sterile swab stick and transferred into a factory-packed polythene bag. The suspension of the fecal droppings was streaked on Eosin Methylene Blue agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Waste-water, soil from disposal sites, and poultry feed samples were also collected in sterile universal bottles, serially diluted and cultured. E. coli isolates were characterized using relevant biochemical tests. The modified paper disc-diffusion method was used to determine the isolates’ sensitivity to nine tested antibiotics. The results were interpreted based on the procedures of the clinical and laboratory standard institutes. Results: Majority of the poultry farms under survey, 83% adopted the intensive ranging system of farming while few adopted the free range system. Layers were the most reared, 50%. There was no documented health, safety and regulatory protocols used on all the farms leading to variations in poultry management practices. Accumulated poultry droppings were periodically disposed between 3-4 days into open fields, flowing water bodies and pits. Among the three adopted waste disposal options, disposal into open field was rampant, 67%. Also, some of the poultry farmers, 42% applied the collected poultry droppings as farm yard manure. Family members constitute the major labor force, 92% on the farm. There were contacts between few of the farmers and their clients during routine farm activities. Majority of the farmers, 83.3% were not kitted with commonly-used personal protective equipment while coverall was only used by few. The five natural water bodies found within the area of study were majorly used for agricultural, domestic, and, recreational purposes. There was history of diarrhea in respondents, 12% with exposure to the water bodies. Socio-demographic data show that young, married-males with tertiary education comprise the major farming population. The relative distance of poultry farms to residential site is ≤ 6 meters while the proximity of poultry farms to natural water sources is between 160 meters to 4,596 meters. Antibiotic sensitivity test shows that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria were present in poultry droppings, waste water and soil from poultry waste disposal sites. Bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside and penicillin was high. Conclusion: The findings on unsafe act audit of the poultry production sites assert that safety of public health is dependent on the quality of water and soil found in human environment. Unsafe acts and conditions with the inherent occupational hazards in poultry production sites are attributed to non-functional health, safety and environment management system. Antibiotic resistant bacteria in poultry droppings constitute biological hazard to humans. Exposure to these biological hazards predisposes the public to infections. Human and environmental health can be improved by reviewing the national guidelines and standards for environmental pollution control.

Chromosome Mediated Fluoroquinolone and Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Resistant Genes in E. coli of Poultry Origin in Ekiti State

Background: One health approach aimed at solving global health crisis links human, animal, and environmental health. This inclusive strategy has contributed to antibiotic classification in both human and animal medicine. Aims: The aims of this research work are to determine the phylogenetic relationship of E. coli isolated from poultry and waste sources. The presence of chromosome mediated fluoroquinolone and extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistant genes will also be detected in the isolates. Study Design: Experimental design. Methodology: Data on farming attitudes of poultry farmers were collected using a questionnaire. E. coli was isolated from fresh poultry droppings and waste disposal sites using eosine methylene blue agar. The antibiotic sensitivity profile of the isolates was determined using the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Phenotypic expression of fluoroquinolone (qnrS) and beta-lactamase (blaCMY) resistant traits were further detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was carried out followed by sequence alignment of E. coli genes with those from GenBank sources to determine the molecular identity of the isolates. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rs) was run to determine the relationship between antibiotic treatment and resistant profile of the isolates. The phylogenetic relationship of the isolates was determined using Bio edit and Mega 6 software. Results: Organic poultry farming was practiced by small-scaled, peasant farmers who raised free range birds while antibiotics were widely used on farms that adopted intensive mode of farming. The percentage occurrence of E. coli from waste disposal sources was lesser than that from fresh poultry droppings. Highest percentage of antibiotic resistance to the fluoroquinolones was found while the carbapenemase recorded the lowest. Statistical analysis shows that antibiotic treatment in poultry and resistant profile of isolates to antibiotics are directly related. The percentage similarity of gene sequence with those from Gene Data Bank (≥99.29%) validates the identity of the isolates as E. coli. About, 60% of the sampled population had the qnrS gene with a band size of approximately 322 base pair. Besides, 40% of the sampled isolates possessed the blaCMY gene with a band size of approximately 460 base pair. Both genes co-existed in the chromosome of 15% of the sampled isolates sourced from poultry droppings and waste sources. Phylogenetic classification links the origin of isolates from waste disposal sources to poultry production sites. Besides, variant strains of multiple antibiotic resistant E. coli from poultry with antibiotic treatment were more diverse compared to those obtained from birds raised without antibiotics. Conclusion: The qnrS and blaCMY genes found in multiple antibiotic resistant E. coli mediated resistance to critically important antibiotics. The co-existence of these genes in variants strains of E. coli occupying different phylogenetic clusters suggests that antibiotics were widely used on the birds. Antibiotic treatment regimen in poultry may be responsible for the expression of antibiotic resistant genes found in the chromosome of the variant strains of E. coli.

Hydrocarbon Degrading Potentials and Antibiotic Susceptibility Test of Bacteria Isolated from Amended Soil in Ilorin

This study used bacteria from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil that had been treated. Organic amendments included cassava peels, plantain peels, eggshells, and poultry droppings, while inorganic amendments included NPK and Urea. In this study, three (3) bacteria were characterized and dealt with: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus proteolyticus, and Providencia rettgeri. To determine their biodegradative capabilities, these isolates were tested on a variety of hydrocarbons. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the bacteria was tested in vitro against extracts of Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf), Ocimum gratissimum (Scent lLeaf), and Telifairia occidentalis (Ugwu) at different concentrations (20%, 13%, 10%, 7%, and 3%). Using the maceration procedure, the plant materials were extracted with ethanol and methanol. The bacteria were resistant to the various concentrations of plant extracts, according to the results. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) had the maximum inhibition zone, measuring 6.00 ± 0.00 mm. Furthermore, all isolates were resistant to crude oil, engine oil, heptane, and benzene in antimicrobial tests on hydrocarbons, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens having the highest level of susceptibility (18 mm) to pyridine. However, the bacteria all demonstrated broad spectrum susceptibility to the commercial antibiotics used as a control, with the exception of Providencia rettgeri, which proved resistant (5 mm) to Ampiclox (APX), Zinnacef (Z) and Amoxacillin (AM).

Germination, Growth and Yield Responses of Leaf Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus) to Rates and Times of Poultry Manure Application

Manures are more environment-friendly and effective in improving soil fertility, hence their recent preference over inorganic fertilizers. Poultry manure is believed to be the most valuable manure produced by livestock. However, the application had always been only before sowing, unlike the inorganic fertilizers that are, generally, applied after sowing/planting of crops. Therefore, the effects of broiler droppings applied at different rates and times were evaluated on seed germination, growth and yield of leaf amaranths, during the raining season of year 2019. Broilers droppings were applied at 0, 30 and 50 tha-1, at 1 and 2 week (-s) before sowing, at sowing and 1 and 2 (week)s after sowing of amaranth seeds. The experiment was factorial and treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized complete block design. Growth parameters measured were: Plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, number of germinated seeds , and yield were measured at 7, 8 and 9 weeks after sowing (WAS). The data generated were subjected to ANOVA at &alpha;0.05. At 7 WAS, application of 50 tha-1 manure at sowing produced the highest plant height (17 cm), stem girth (7.40 cm), number of harvested stands (18.33) and marketable yield (7.95 tha-1) with significant differences. At 8 WAS, the highest yield (5.83 tha-1 was obtained from plots treated with 30 tha-1 of poultry dung applied at 2 weeks before sowing while more seeds (27) germinated on both plots treated with 50 t/ha of broiler droppings applied at sowing and 1 WAS. The best recorded values for number of germinated seeds (27) and yield (2.83 tha-1) at 9 WAS were obtained from 50 tha-1 of broiler droppings applied at sowing. 50 t/ha of broiler droppings, at sowing compared well with poultry droppings applied at any rate before sowing.

Assessment on the Effects of Potting Media on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir

This study investigated the effects of potting media on seed germination and early seedling growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir at the Forestry Nursery in Jos, Nigeria. Using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates, laboratory-tested soil samples, top soil, sharp sand, sharp sand + top soil, sharp sand + top soil + cow dung and sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings were used in various combinations to assess the growth parameters of P. erinaceus (germination percentage, emergence, plant height, number of leaves, length of leaves and stem diameter) for 12 weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze collected data. Result indicated that sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings had the highest nitrogen concentration (2.19%), sharp sand + top soil + cow dung (2.07%), sharp sand + top soil (1.50%), top soil (0.72%) and Sharp sand (0.38%). Potting media with poultry droppings recorded an overall higher percentage germination of 42.9% by the end of the germination period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of collected data on combined soil aggregate on growth parameters indicated a significant (p<0.05) difference in plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and stem diameter. Potting with poultry dropping gave the best potting media growth results when compared to other treatments that enhanced seed germination and seedling growth of P. erinaceus. This superior observation of the poultry droppings incorporated potting mixtures over the cow dung provides an outstanding potentials to enhance P. erinaceus plantation establishment. Consequently, recommended for raising seedlings in the nursery as well as ensuring sustainable management.

Influence of Poultry Droppings on the Production and Mineral Profile of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in Kombé (Brazzaville, Congo)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the most important seed legumes in the tropics and subtropics. It is an important staple in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the arid savannahs of West Africa. The present study conducted in the Kombé area (Brazzaville) aims to assess the impact of poultry droppings on the yield and mineral profile of cowpea. Seeds of three cowpea cultivars (C1, C2, C3) were sown in a completely randomised system in two plots. Prior to sowing, a treatment of one dose of poultry droppings was applied in one of the two plots, which was named fertilised plot containing treatments C1D1, C2D1 and C3D1. The plot without droppings was the control plot with treatments C1D0, C2D0 and C3D0. The biomass of leaves, pods and seeds was assessed by the harvesting method followed by drying and weighing. Chemical data of leaves and soils were obtained after laboratory analysis. The results show that leaf biomass, pod biomass and seed biomass ranged from 1.8 t DM/ha to 3.4 t DM/ha, 960.2 kg/ha to 1706 kg DM/ha and 563.4 kg DM/ha to 1263.7 kg DM/ha respectively. Treatments C1D1 and C3D1 were respectively the most productive in leaf biomass and pod and seed biomass. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the leaves do not seem to be influenced by the addition of poultry droppings. However, these contents are improved in the soil after the application of poultry droppings. Poultry droppings have a beneficial effect on yield in terms of leaf, pod and seed biomass. Poultry droppings may be useful as an organic fertilizer for cowpea cultivation.

Effect of Sheep Dropping Manure Application Rate and Methods of Propagation on the Growth and Yield Component of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativum) in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study was conducted at Crop Production Nursery Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State University Anyigba. The study area which is Kogi State, to determine the effect of sheep dropping rate and staking on the yield and yield component of cucumber. Staked and unstaked and four treatment levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg per hectare) were evaluated. The study was conducted as a 2x1 factorial laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatment means were separated using least significant difference (LSD0.05). The result generated from the study showed that number of fruits, number of marketable fruits and weight of fruits. Staking had no significant effect on number of fruits, but showed significant effect on number of branches, number of leaves and plant height. The staked treatment constantly performed better with higher values than the non-staked treatment. Result obtained from data analysis shows that Cucumber growth, yields and yield components were enhanced with the incorporation of Poultry droppings across various treatment rates. Hence for maximum production of cucumber staking and optimum sheep dropping should be adopted.

Mineral and raw resources and poultry waste to increase soil fertility

The purpose of the work was to analyze the use of mineral resources and poultry waste to increase soil fertility in the Tyumen region. According to statistics for 2020 in Russia 45156,3 tons of waste was generated from agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing and fish farming. On the territory of the Tyumen region 1200 tons of poultry droppings are formed per day. The volume of accumulation is 432,000 tons per year. At the same time, poultry droppings is a source of greenhouse gases, their amount can be: CO₂ – 21,5 million m³, methane – 12,9 million m³ per year. Diatomite is a sedimentary rock consisting of fossilized shells of diatoms, and is a fine powder of gray color. Due to its unique chemical and biological properties, diatomite is widely used in many areas of agriculture as an excellent adsorbent, fertilizer, top dressing for animals and poultry, an environmentally friendly contact insecticide for pest control of grain, fruit and ornamental plants. In order to restore the lost soil fertility in the region (0,6 %, or 2032,2 hectares per year), it is necessary to carry out soil protection measures, as well as the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers (11,7 million tons of organic fertilizers annually for 15 years). The presence of a large amount of mineral resources and poultry droppings in the Tyumen region makes it possible for researchers to develop the composition and technologies for creating organomineral fertilizers. The implementation of the project based on the technology of using modified diatomite and various types of poultry waste will reduce the amount of waste, reduce the hazard class of bird droppings, the environmental burden of poultry farming on the environment, as well as increase the biological safety and productivity of arable land.