Assessment of Bacterial Population and Some Physicochemical Properties of Compost in Wukari LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria
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343-361
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Jun 23, 2025
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10.58578/amjsai.v2i2.6350
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Authors:Clement Alex Onwu1, Jamila Yakubu Umar2, Patricia James Aliyu3
Copyright :Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.
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Abstract
Field studies were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University Wukari, to evaluate the bacterial population and selected physicochemical properties of compost in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. Eight compost treatments were tested: GCP (Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings), SGCP (Sawdust + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings), RGCP (Rice husk + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings), MGCP (Maize stalks + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings), GCPU (Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings + urea), SGCPU (Sawdust + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings + urea), RGCPU (Rice husk + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings + urea), and MGCPU (Maize stalks + Gmelina leaf + cow dung + poultry droppings + urea). Wood ash, water, and topsoil were added to all treatments. Compost pits (1 m³) were prepared for each treatment, replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Turning, bacterial enumeration, and temperature recordings were conducted monthly. Results revealed significant variation in bacterial populations, with MGCPU recording the highest counts. Compost temperatures remained below 40°C across all stages, indicating decomposition occurred predominantly within the mesophilic range. Total nitrogen (TN) content varied significantly, with RGCPU yielding the highest TN value. Available phosphorus was moderate across treatments, while potassium levels showed no significant difference. Overall, RGCPU and MGCPU outperformed other treatments in terms of microbial activity and nutrient content. Thus, RGCPU is recommended as the most suitable composting treatment for the study area.
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Onwu, C. A., Umar, J. Y., & Aliyu, P. J. (2025). Assessment of Bacterial Population and Some Physicochemical Properties of Compost in Wukari LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, 2(2), 343-361. https://doi.org/10.58578/amjsai.v2i2.6350
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
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Adeyemo, A.J., and Agela S.O. (2010). Effects of tillage and manure application on soil physiochemical properties and tilled Alfisol in south western Nigeria. Journal of soil science and environmental management 1(8); 205-16.
Agwaranze, D. I., Ogodo, A. C., Nwaneri, C. B. and Agyo, P. (2017). Bacteriological examination of well water in Wukari, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 5(2): 0042-0046.
Albiach, R., Canet, R., Pomares, F., and Ingelmo, F. (2000). Microbial biomass and activity in a vermicomposting process. Compost Science and Utilization, 8(2), 134-142.
Anderson, J.D. and Ingram. J.S.I. (1996). Tropical soil biology and fertility: A Hand book of methods. CAB international walling ford.
Baffour-Awiah, E. (2009). Effect of composting on the quality and maturity of municipal solid waste compost. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 44(3), 251-257.
Benito, M., Masaguer A., Moliner A., Antonio R. (2005). Use of pruning waste compost as a component in soilless growing media. Bioresource Technol 97: 2071-2076.
Black, C.A. (1963). Methods of soil Analysis: part 1, physical and mineralogical properties. American society of Agronomy. Madison, Wisconsin.
Brady N.C., and Weil R.R. (2002). The nature and properties of soils 11th ed. Prentice Hall. Upper siddle River, NJ.
Caceres R, Flotals X, and Marfa O. (2006). Changes in the chemical and physico-chemical properties of the solid fraction of cattle slurry during composting using different aeration strategies.
Chandna, P., Nain, L., Singh, S. and Kuhad, R.C. (2013). Assessment of Bacterial Diversity During Composting of Agricultural Byproducts. BioMedical Central Microbiology (13)99.
Davis, C. L., Donkin C. J., Hinch, S. A., Germishuizen, P. (1992). The microbiology of pine bark composting: an electron-microscope and physiological study. Bioresource Technology, 40: 195-204.
Deksissa T., Short, I. and Allen J. (2008). Effectcs of soil amendment with compost on growth and water use efficiency of Amaranth. In: proc. Of the UCOWR/NIWR. Annual conference. international. water Res. Challenges for the 21stcentury and water Resources Education, Durham, NC.
Dessie T. Yezbie Kehali J. Addisu K, Marelign A, Tefari A, and Gizachew T. (2022). Compost preparation, chemical analysis and users perception in the utilization of water hyacinth, Ethiopia. BMC chemistry. 16
Diaz LF, Savage GM. Factors that affect the process. InWaste management series. 8:49-65. Elsevier.
Elbl, J., Somplak, R., and Kucerova, J. (2019). Impact of different aeration strategies on composting process of organic waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 27 (1) 34-45.
FAO (2010). Enriched compost for higher yields kenya S.I. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Franke-Whittle, I. H., Confalonieri, A., Insam, H., Schlegelmilch, M., and Korner, I. (2014). Changes in the microbial communities during co-composting of digestates. Waste Management, 34: 632–641.
Friedrich, M.W. (2011). Microbial communities, structure, and function. In Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, 592–595.
George V. Thomas Palaniswami C, Prabhu S.R., Murali Gopal, and Alka Gupta. (2013). Composting of coconut coir pith with solid poultry manure. Current Science; 104 (2): 245-250.
Gray, K.R., Sherman, K., and Biddlestone, A.J. (1971). A review of composting - part I. Process Biochemistry, 6: 32-36.
Huang, X., Li, Y., and Chen, X. (2020). Influence of composting conditions on the microbial community and humification of rice straw. Waste Management, 105, 239-246.
Isirimah, N. O., Dickson, A. A., and Ogboghodo, J. A (2003). Physicochemical characteristics of compost from different carbon-rich materials. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 23(1), 113-125.
Karmegam N., and Daniel T. (2009). Investigating efficiency of lampito mauritii (kinberg) and perionyx ceylanensis Michaelsen for vermicomposting of different types of organic substrates. The Environmentalist 27: 287-300.
Komiyam T., Maeda K., and Nakasaki., K (2013). Effects of carbon to nitrogen ratio and moisture content on microbial growth and carbon decomposition during composting. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 21 (2) 83-93.
Kopittke P.M., Dalal R. C., Finn D, and Mengies N.W (2017). Global changes in soil stocks of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and Sulphur as influenced by long term agricultural production. Global change Biology, 23, 2509.
Larney,F.J. Olson, A.F. and Demaere, P.R. (2002). Implication of feedlot manure composting for land application of nitrogen. pages 23-27 in Proc. 39thAnn. Alberta Soil Science Workshop, 2002 February. 19-20, NISKU, AB.
Lasaridi, K., Protopapa I., Kotsou M., Pilidis G., Manios T., Kyriacou A. (2006). Quality assessment of compost in the greek market. The need for standard and quality assurance Journal: Environment Management., 80, Pp. 58-65.
Leow, C. W., Van-Fan, Y., Chua, L. S., Muhamad, I. I., Klemes, J. J.,and Lee, C.T. (2018). A review on application of microorganisms for organic waste management. Chemical Engineering Transition,63: 85–90.
Liu, X., Chen H., and Gao Q (2020). Optimazation of composting conditions for food waste using response surface methodology. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization 28 (2), 147-158.
Lochr, S. Singh S.K and Sing R.K. (2018). Co-composting of vegetable waste and poultry manure: Optimization of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and moisture content. Journal of Compost Science and Utilization. 27:239-248.
Michel, F.C. (2019). Composting as a waste management strategy: A review Journal of Environmental Quality, 38 (5), 1753-1762.
Nath, A., and Singh, R.K. (2012). Effect of C/N ratio and moisture content on composting of municipal solid waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization 20 (2), 78-87.
Obidah, J. S., Bashir, M., Ikrimah, U. M. and Mathias, D. A. (2018). Bacteriological Examination of Milk and Milk Products Sold in Jimeta Metropolis, Yola Adamawa State Nigeria.
Palaniveloo K, Amran MA, Norhashim NA, Mohamad-Fauzi N, Peng-Hui F, Hui-Wen L, Kai-Lin Y, Jiale L, Chian-Yee MG, Jing-Yi L, Gunasekaran B (2020). Food waste composting and microbial community structure profiling. 8(6):723.
Pandiselvi T., Jeyajothiond R., and Kandeshwari, M. (2017). Organic nutrient management, a way to improve soil fertility and sustainable Agriculture. A review. Int. J. Adv. Life- Sci 10(2): 175-181.
Partanen, P., Hultman, J., Paulin, L., Auvinen, P., and Romantschuk, M. (2010). Bacterial diversity at different stages of the composting process. BMC Microbiology, 10: 94–104.
Paulin B and Peter, O. M (2008). Compost production and use in Horticulture. Western Australian Agric Authority. Bulletin 4746 (online) available: www.agric.wa.gov.nv (Nov 2013).
Piyush, P., Singh, S.K., and Nandal, D. (2013). Vermicomposting of vegetable waste using Eisenia fetida. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 48,538-545.
Plaster, J. (2013). Composting: A review of the process and product. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 48(5), 351-359.
Rachel, E. M., and Mulugeta, D. (2013). Effect of compost on soil fertility and plant growth. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B: pesticides, Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes, 48(6), 455-464.
Rastogi M, Nandal M, Khosla B (2020). Microbes as vital additives for solid waste composting. Heliyon. 6(2):1-11.
Rebollido R., Martinez J., Aguilera Y., Melchor K., Koernerl., and Stegmann R. (2008). Microbial populations during composting process of organic fraction of municipal solid waste Applied Environment Resource. 6: 61-67.
Román P, Martínez M, Pantoja A. Farmer, S (2015). Compost handbook. Santiago:Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sangwan, P., Kaushik, C.P and Garg, V.K. (2008). Vermiconversion of industrial sludge for recycling the nutrients. Bioresource Technology 99: 8699-8704.
Santos H, Lamosa P, Borges N. (2006). Characterization and quantification of compatible solutes in (hyper) thermophilic microorganisms. In Methods in microbiology 35:173-199. Academic Press.
Sartaj, M., Fernandes L., and Patni N. (1997). Performance of forced passive, and natural aeration methods for composting manure slurries Trans. ASAE, 40, Pp. 457-463.
Schiraldi CD, De Rosa M (2014). Mesophilic organisms. Encyclopedia of membranes. 1-2.
Shaik S., and Patil M. (2013). Production and utilization strategies of organic fertilizers for organic farming: An ecofriendly approach. International journal of life science and pharma Research 3 (2): 1-5.
Summer M.T. (2000). Beneficial use of effluents wastes and bio solids. Communication in soil science and plant analysis 31: 1701-15.
Thomas G.W (1982). Exchangeable cations in page Almiler R, Keeney, DR editors. Method of soil analysis. Part 11, 2nd edn.
Tiquia S.M., and Tam N.F. (2002). Characterization and composting of poultry litter in forced aeration piles process. Biochemestry., 37, Pp 869-880.
Yu H, Xie B, Khan R, Shen G (2019). The changes in carbon, nitrogen components and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting. Bioresource technology.271:228-35.
Zhang J., Li, Y., and Wang X. (2020). Effects of bulking agents on composting process and quality of municipal solid waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 28 (1) 34-44.
Zhang, M., Luo, J., and Yan, S. H. (2018). Changes in bacterial communities during two agricultural solid wastes’ composting processes. Annals of Microbiology, 68: 743–754.
Zumdahl, S.S. (1993). Chemistry 3” edition. D C health and company.
Adediran, J.A., Taiwo L.B, Akande, M.O., and Lawal, B.O. (2006). Working manual on composting technology and uutilization. A guide for extension agents, farmers compost makers and users Ed. By Adeoye G.A and Akinlosotu T.A.
Adeyemo, A.J., and Agela S.O. (2010). Effects of tillage and manure application on soil physiochemical properties and tilled Alfisol in south western Nigeria. Journal of soil science and environmental management 1(8); 205-16.
Agwaranze, D. I., Ogodo, A. C., Nwaneri, C. B. and Agyo, P. (2017). Bacteriological examination of well water in Wukari, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 5(2): 0042-0046.
Albiach, R., Canet, R., Pomares, F., and Ingelmo, F. (2000). Microbial biomass and activity in a vermicomposting process. Compost Science and Utilization, 8(2), 134-142.
Anderson, J.D. and Ingram. J.S.I. (1996). Tropical soil biology and fertility: A Hand book of methods. CAB international walling ford.
Baffour-Awiah, E. (2009). Effect of composting on the quality and maturity of municipal solid waste compost. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 44(3), 251-257.
Benito, M., Masaguer A., Moliner A., Antonio R. (2005). Use of pruning waste compost as a component in soilless growing media. Bioresource Technol 97: 2071-2076.
Black, C.A. (1963). Methods of soil Analysis: part 1, physical and mineralogical properties. American society of Agronomy. Madison, Wisconsin.
Brady N.C., and Weil R.R. (2002). The nature and properties of soils 11th ed. Prentice Hall. Upper siddle River, NJ.
Caceres R, Flotals X, and Marfa O. (2006). Changes in the chemical and physico-chemical properties of the solid fraction of cattle slurry during composting using different aeration strategies.
Chandna, P., Nain, L., Singh, S. and Kuhad, R.C. (2013). Assessment of Bacterial Diversity During Composting of Agricultural Byproducts. BioMedical Central Microbiology (13)99.
Davis, C. L., Donkin C. J., Hinch, S. A., Germishuizen, P. (1992). The microbiology of pine bark composting: an electron-microscope and physiological study. Bioresource Technology, 40: 195-204.
Deksissa T., Short, I. and Allen J. (2008). Effectcs of soil amendment with compost on growth and water use efficiency of Amaranth. In: proc. Of the UCOWR/NIWR. Annual conference. international. water Res. Challenges for the 21stcentury and water Resources Education, Durham, NC.
Dessie T. Yezbie Kehali J. Addisu K, Marelign A, Tefari A, and Gizachew T. (2022). Compost preparation, chemical analysis and users perception in the utilization of water hyacinth, Ethiopia. BMC chemistry. 16
Diaz LF, Savage GM. Factors that affect the process. InWaste management series. 8:49-65. Elsevier.
Elbl, J., Somplak, R., and Kucerova, J. (2019). Impact of different aeration strategies on composting process of organic waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 27 (1) 34-45.
FAO (2010). Enriched compost for higher yields kenya S.I. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Franke-Whittle, I. H., Confalonieri, A., Insam, H., Schlegelmilch, M., and Korner, I. (2014). Changes in the microbial communities during co-composting of digestates. Waste Management, 34: 632–641.
Friedrich, M.W. (2011). Microbial communities, structure, and function. In Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, 592–595.
George V. Thomas Palaniswami C, Prabhu S.R., Murali Gopal, and Alka Gupta. (2013). Composting of coconut coir pith with solid poultry manure. Current Science; 104 (2): 245-250.
Gray, K.R., Sherman, K., and Biddlestone, A.J. (1971). A review of composting - part I. Process Biochemistry, 6: 32-36.
Huang, X., Li, Y., and Chen, X. (2020). Influence of composting conditions on the microbial community and humification of rice straw. Waste Management, 105, 239-246.
Isirimah, N. O., Dickson, A. A., and Ogboghodo, J. A (2003). Physicochemical characteristics of compost from different carbon-rich materials. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 23(1), 113-125.
Karmegam N., and Daniel T. (2009). Investigating efficiency of lampito mauritii (kinberg) and perionyx ceylanensis Michaelsen for vermicomposting of different types of organic substrates. The Environmentalist 27: 287-300.
Komiyam T., Maeda K., and Nakasaki., K (2013). Effects of carbon to nitrogen ratio and moisture content on microbial growth and carbon decomposition during composting. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 21 (2) 83-93.
Kopittke P.M., Dalal R. C., Finn D, and Mengies N.W (2017). Global changes in soil stocks of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and Sulphur as influenced by long term agricultural production. Global change Biology, 23, 2509.
Larney,F.J. Olson, A.F. and Demaere, P.R. (2002). Implication of feedlot manure composting for land application of nitrogen. pages 23-27 in Proc. 39thAnn. Alberta Soil Science Workshop, 2002 February. 19-20, NISKU, AB.
Lasaridi, K., Protopapa I., Kotsou M., Pilidis G., Manios T., Kyriacou A. (2006). Quality assessment of compost in the greek market. The need for standard and quality assurance Journal: Environment Management., 80, Pp. 58-65.
Leow, C. W., Van-Fan, Y., Chua, L. S., Muhamad, I. I., Klemes, J. J.,and Lee, C.T. (2018). A review on application of microorganisms for organic waste management. Chemical Engineering Transition,63: 85–90.
Liu, X., Chen H., and Gao Q (2020). Optimazation of composting conditions for food waste using response surface methodology. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization 28 (2), 147-158.
Lochr, S. Singh S.K and Sing R.K. (2018). Co-composting of vegetable waste and poultry manure: Optimization of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and moisture content. Journal of Compost Science and Utilization. 27:239-248.
Michel, F.C. (2019). Composting as a waste management strategy: A review Journal of Environmental Quality, 38 (5), 1753-1762.
Nath, A., and Singh, R.K. (2012). Effect of C/N ratio and moisture content on composting of municipal solid waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization 20 (2), 78-87.
Obidah, J. S., Bashir, M., Ikrimah, U. M. and Mathias, D. A. (2018). Bacteriological Examination of Milk and Milk Products Sold in Jimeta Metropolis, Yola Adamawa State Nigeria.
Palaniveloo K, Amran MA, Norhashim NA, Mohamad-Fauzi N, Peng-Hui F, Hui-Wen L, Kai-Lin Y, Jiale L, Chian-Yee MG, Jing-Yi L, Gunasekaran B (2020). Food waste composting and microbial community structure profiling. 8(6):723.
Pandiselvi T., Jeyajothiond R., and Kandeshwari, M. (2017). Organic nutrient management, a way to improve soil fertility and sustainable Agriculture. A review. Int. J. Adv. Life- Sci 10(2): 175-181.
Partanen, P., Hultman, J., Paulin, L., Auvinen, P., and Romantschuk, M. (2010). Bacterial diversity at different stages of the composting process. BMC Microbiology, 10: 94–104.
Paulin B and Peter, O. M (2008). Compost production and use in Horticulture. Western Australian Agric Authority. Bulletin 4746 (online) available: www.agric.wa.gov.nv (Nov 2013).
Piyush, P., Singh, S.K., and Nandal, D. (2013). Vermicomposting of vegetable waste using Eisenia fetida. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 48,538-545.
Plaster, J. (2013). Composting: A review of the process and product. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B, 48(5), 351-359.
Rachel, E. M., and Mulugeta, D. (2013). Effect of compost on soil fertility and plant growth. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, part B: pesticides, Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes, 48(6), 455-464.
Rastogi M, Nandal M, Khosla B (2020). Microbes as vital additives for solid waste composting. Heliyon. 6(2):1-11.
Rebollido R., Martinez J., Aguilera Y., Melchor K., Koernerl., and Stegmann R. (2008). Microbial populations during composting process of organic fraction of municipal solid waste Applied Environment Resource. 6: 61-67.
Román P, Martínez M, Pantoja A. Farmer, S (2015). Compost handbook. Santiago:Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sangwan, P., Kaushik, C.P and Garg, V.K. (2008). Vermiconversion of industrial sludge for recycling the nutrients. Bioresource Technology 99: 8699-8704.
Santos H, Lamosa P, Borges N. (2006). Characterization and quantification of compatible solutes in (hyper) thermophilic microorganisms. In Methods in microbiology 35:173-199. Academic Press.
Sartaj, M., Fernandes L., and Patni N. (1997). Performance of forced passive, and natural aeration methods for composting manure slurries Trans. ASAE, 40, Pp. 457-463.
Schiraldi CD, De Rosa M (2014). Mesophilic organisms. Encyclopedia of membranes. 1-2.
Shaik S., and Patil M. (2013). Production and utilization strategies of organic fertilizers for organic farming: An ecofriendly approach. International journal of life science and pharma Research 3 (2): 1-5.
Summer M.T. (2000). Beneficial use of effluents wastes and bio solids. Communication in soil science and plant analysis 31: 1701-15.
Thomas G.W (1982). Exchangeable cations in page Almiler R, Keeney, DR editors. Method of soil analysis. Part 11, 2nd edn.
Tiquia S.M., and Tam N.F. (2002). Characterization and composting of poultry litter in forced aeration piles process. Biochemestry., 37, Pp 869-880.
Yu H, Xie B, Khan R, Shen G (2019). The changes in carbon, nitrogen components and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting. Bioresource technology.271:228-35.
Zhang J., Li, Y., and Wang X. (2020). Effects of bulking agents on composting process and quality of municipal solid waste. Journal of Compost Science & Utilization, 28 (1) 34-44.
Zhang, M., Luo, J., and Yan, S. H. (2018). Changes in bacterial communities during two agricultural solid wastes’ composting processes. Annals of Microbiology, 68: 743–754.
Zumdahl, S.S. (1993). Chemistry 3” edition. D C health and company.