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Rock-Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria and their Effect on Soybean (Glycine max) Growth under Pot Grown Conditions
Fankem Henri,
Nguesseu Njanjouo Ghislain,
Ngo Nkot Laurette,
Tchuisseu Tchakounte Gylaine Vanessa,
Nwaga Dieudonné,
Etoa François-Xavier
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
100-109
Received:
7 May 2014
Accepted:
26 May 2014
Published:
10 June 2014
Abstract: The modern agriculture is dependent on phosphorus (P) derived from phosphate rock. However, the direct application of low-grade rock phosphate as a P source in soils need an addition of inoculums of phosphate solubilising microorganisms to improve the rock phosphate efficiency as a phosphorus source. Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) were screened for their phosphate solubilising ability on plates and in liquid cultures supplemented with Malian, Moroccan or Mexican rock phosphates. They were subsequently tested on soybean grown in pots filled with non sterile soil amended with Moroccan rock phosphate for their aptitude in promoting soybean growth. The activity of the different strains on plates indicates Panthoea sp. and Bacillus sp. as the most efficient strains able to show halo zone on plates supplemented all different rock phosphates, with a solubilisation index (SI) of 3.65, 4.10 and 5.42 (Panthoea sp.) and 2.93, 3.13 and 2.13 (Bacillus sp.) respectively for Malian, Moroccan and Mexican rock phosphates. Panthoea sp. remains the strains showing the highest concentration of the solved P with all rock phosphates: 1038.25, 996.67 and 1207.87 µgP/g for Malian, Moroccan and Mexican rock phosphates respectively. It is followed by Klebsiella sp. (862.57, 615.19 and 426.29 µgP/g respectively) and Bacillus sp. (810.86, 270.92 and 180.95 µgP/g). In general, Panthoea sp. and Bacillus sp. better contribute to the soybean growth with the effect of 35% and 34% respectively compare to non inoculated control supplied with non soluble Moroccan rock phosphate. The activity of Klebsiella sp. (13%) that is low in general seems to be stimulated when associated with the two other strains (33%). This suggests that the use of rock phosphate combined with the co-inoculation with those strains would ensure soybean production in economically profitable and environmentally friendly conditions.
Abstract: The modern agriculture is dependent on phosphorus (P) derived from phosphate rock. However, the direct application of low-grade rock phosphate as a P source in soils need an addition of inoculums of phosphate solubilising microorganisms to improve the rock phosphate efficiency as a phosphorus source. Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) were scree...
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Field Study for the Effectiveness of Some Plants Leaf Extracts against Insect Eutectona Macheralis or Teak Skeletonizer in Forest Nursery of Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Hemant Pathak,
Saurabh Maru,
Satish Chandra Silawat
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
110-113
Received:
10 May 2014
Accepted:
29 May 2014
Published:
10 June 2014
Abstract: The naturally occurring pesticides thus appear to have a prominent role in the development of future economical pesticides not only for agricultural and forestry crop productivity but also for the safety of the environment and public health. The harmful environmental implications of the synthetic pesticides have compelled to search for some alternative methods. This lead to increased development of compounds based on the models of naturally occurring toxins of biological origin, having various biological activities. This includes plant extract, which are now known because they are environmentally harmless and host specific. These different concentrations of plant extracts viz. Annona sqamosa leaf extract, Lantana camara leaf extract, Albizzia lebbeck leaf extract were tested for feeding inhibition properties against Eutectona macheralis insect larvae on host plant Tectona grandis. Prepared leaf extracts were tested in field condition and the most effective concentration has been worked out.
Abstract: The naturally occurring pesticides thus appear to have a prominent role in the development of future economical pesticides not only for agricultural and forestry crop productivity but also for the safety of the environment and public health. The harmful environmental implications of the synthetic pesticides have compelled to search for some alterna...
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Evaluation of River Sand as a Medium for Raising Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao L.) Seedlings
Sampson Konlan,
Michael Obour Opoku-Agyeman,
Kofi Acheampong,
Kwabena Opoku-Ameyaw,
Gilbert John Anim-Kwapong,
Godwin Addo
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
114-120
Received:
28 April 2014
Accepted:
10 May 2014
Published:
20 June 2014
Abstract: A nursery experiment was conducted between November, 2011 and May, 2012 at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to investigate the effect of using river sand and river sand-topsoil mixture on cocoa seedlings. Treatments tested were sole topsoil, sole river sand, river sand + foliar fertilizer (Sidalco liquid fertilizer, NPK-10:10:10), river sand + topsoil (1:1) and river sand + topsoil mixture (1:1) + foliar fertilizer. The results showed that sole topsoil retained more moisture and supported significantly taller seedlings. The river sand-topsoil mixture + foliar fertilizer seedlings had higher chlorophyll content and was more photosynthetically efficient thus resulting in significantly (P<0.05) larger stem diameter than all other treatments. Stem volume of seedlings in the river sand + topsoil +foliar fertilizer were also not different from those found in the sole topsoil medium. There were positive correlations between moisture retention and chlorophyll content of the seedlings. Chlorophyll content was found to be positively correlated to stem diameter and height gain by the seedlings. It was therefore concluded that cocoa seedlings can be raised in polybags filled with a mixture of river sand and topsoil (1:1) for a period of six months provided foliar fertilizer is applied at the rate of 10 mls NPK (10:10:10) in 15 litres of water at bi-weekly intervals.
Abstract: A nursery experiment was conducted between November, 2011 and May, 2012 at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to investigate the effect of using river sand and river sand-topsoil mixture on cocoa seedlings. Treatments tested were sole topsoil, sole river sand, river sand + foliar fertilizer (Sidalco liquid fertilizer, NPK-10:10:10), river sand +...
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Seasonality Induced Marginality: Vulnerability of Wage Earners’ Food and Nutrition Security in Southern Bangladesh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
121-128
Received:
30 May 2014
Accepted:
13 June 2014
Published:
30 June 2014
Abstract: The paper examines the impact of wage-earning occupation in the food and nutrition security of the rural households’ which is partly rooted in the process of marginalization due to seasonality. Seasonality is obvious in the nature but it becomes a problem for those individuals who are heavily dependent on it and they don’t have any other buffering system to mitigate this shock such as savings, credit and social security. The result depicts that for being a wage-earner in agriculture, the vulnerability of food and nutrition security increases by 9% to 12.4% which are statistically significant at 5% level of significance. Marginalized households face seasonality every year and they lose their valuable assets to mitigate the adverse effect of natural calamities and idiosyncratic shocks. As a result the instrument to mitigate this seasonality becomes scarce and ineffective which results malnutrition and food insecurity. Because whenever the households do not have any other coping strategy, they just skip meals and start starving for the extended periods.
Abstract: The paper examines the impact of wage-earning occupation in the food and nutrition security of the rural households’ which is partly rooted in the process of marginalization due to seasonality. Seasonality is obvious in the nature but it becomes a problem for those individuals who are heavily dependent on it and they don’t have any other buffering ...
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Resource Use Efficiency and Profitability of Fluted Pumpkin Production in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria
Ogisi O’raye Dicta,
Begho Toritseju,
Ewolor Scholastica Agatha
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
129-134
Received:
16 June 2014
Accepted:
26 June 2014
Published:
10 July 2014
Abstract: The paper examined resource-use and profitability of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis Hook F. Cucurbitaceae) production in Ukwuani local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from questionnaire administered to 140 fluted pumpkin farmers drawn using systematic sampling techniques from the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, marginal value productivity, multiple regression and a 5-point likert scale. Results showed that most of the respondents were females, illiterate and married. Farmers operated on subsistence level, about 95% practiced mixed cropping with farming experience not less than 5 years. An adjusted R2 value of 0.664 indicated that the independent variables; farm size, labour and quantity of seed in the model explained 66% of variations in the dependent variable (output). The F value of 60.09 showed the overall statistical significance with a P value of zero. Net return per hectare was $644.90. The benefit-cost ratio was $1 to $1.23 which implies that for every $1 invested, 23cents was obtained thus depicting that the enterprise was profitable in the study area. Resources under-utilized were quantity of seed and farm size while family and hired labour were over-utilized. Major constraints faced by farmers were; high cost of labour, lack of adequate and quality seeds, pests and disease attack, storage and transportation cost. It is recommended that effective agricultural extension services, credit and loan schemes and infrastructure should be provided to farmers in the study area for increased profitability, yield and resource-use efficiency of fluted pumpkin production.
Abstract: The paper examined resource-use and profitability of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis Hook F. Cucurbitaceae) production in Ukwuani local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from questionnaire administered to 140 fluted pumpkin farmers drawn using systematic sampling techniques from the study area. Data were anal...
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Marketing of Agroforestry Products in Bangladesh: A Value Chain Analysis
Kazi Kamrul Islam,
Takahiro Fujiwara,
Masakazu Tani,
Noriko Sato
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
135-145
Received:
20 May 2014
Accepted:
29 May 2014
Published:
10 July 2014
Abstract: Bangladesh agriculture, including agroforestry, is dominated by small-scale subsistence farming; however, farmers do not get proper prices for their products due to the involvement of many intermediaries in its value chain. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the value chain of main agroforestry products and the position of the various intermediaries within it, and to determine the extent of value addition in terms of costs in successive stages of products movements. The study was conducted in Madhupur Sal forests area of Bangladesh and data were collected through questionnaire interviews, focus group discussion, observation and literature review. In analyzing network structures of value chain, the study found that both agroforestry crops and timber marketing have regulated a number of intermediaries which enhanced value addition and created high marketing margins of products. Moreover, farmers had possessed strong negative relationship with intermediaries and that the lack of a farmer organization severely affected farmers’ free and fair access to local markets to sell their products. So, there is an immediate need to establish farmers’ cooperatives in order to reduce unexpected intermediaries from value chain to get fair prices of their products, and to harmonize and execute marketing legislations.
Abstract: Bangladesh agriculture, including agroforestry, is dominated by small-scale subsistence farming; however, farmers do not get proper prices for their products due to the involvement of many intermediaries in its value chain. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the value chain of main agroforestry products and the position of the v...
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Sustainable Water Use Efficiency for Rice Cultivation in Rajshahi of Bangladesh
Sheikh Helena Bulbul,
Md. Redwanur Rahman
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
146-153
Received:
3 June 2014
Accepted:
27 June 2014
Published:
20 July 2014
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Shampur, Rajshahi to find out possible effects of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWDI) on the yield, water use and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice. The experimental plots were laid out with 2 factors RCBD combining two modern varieties of rice viz. BRRI dhan28 and BRRI hybrid2, which received four irrigation treatments randomly and was replicated thrice. The treatments ranged from continuous submergence (T1) of the field to a number of delayed irrigations (T2, T3 and T4) denoting application of 3, 5 and 7 days of disappearance of standing water respectively. The study revealed that treatment T1 attributed by the highest total water use (49.04 cm) and the lowest WUE (60.62 kg/ha/cm) produced the lowest grain yield (4.59 t/ha). Treatment T2, on the contrary, gave the highest yield (5.57 t/ha) and consequently the higher WUE (85.55 kg/ha/cm) than T1 and indicating quite a large water saving (Application of 3 days of disappearance of Standing Water) compared to treatment T1. The yields in treatments T3 (5.33 t/ha) and T4 (5.15 t/ha) were significantly lower at 1% level of significance compared to that of treatment T1. Significant effect was found either for the treatment or for the varieties on the number of effective and total tillers hill-1 1000 grain weight, plant height, number of effective tillers hill-1, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Shampur, Rajshahi to find out possible effects of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWDI) on the yield, water use and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice. The experimental plots were laid out with 2 factors RCBD combining two modern varieties of rice viz. BRRI dhan28 ...
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Are Small Scale Eggplant Producers Efficient in Resource Use
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
154-158
Received:
16 May 2014
Accepted:
20 June 2014
Published:
30 July 2014
Abstract: An empirical study to investigate the efficiency of resource use by small scale eggplant producers was conducted. A stochastic production frontier function which incorporates a model for the technical efficiency effect was applied. Through a multi-stage sampling method, 60 egg plant farmers were selected with the aid of questionnaire. Using the maximum likelihood estimation method, asymptotic parameters were evaluated to describe efficiency determinants. Results revealed that the mean resource use efficiency is 0.71 leaving inefficiency gap of 0.29 implying that 29 percent higher eggplant output could be achieved using the same resource combination. Land, hired labour and seeds were identified as the most critical and important efficiency determinants. Access to credit and market, and age were estimated as inefficiency determinants. Results underscore the need to formulate policies aimed at making land more accessible to farmers, provision of credit facilities and good road networks.
Abstract: An empirical study to investigate the efficiency of resource use by small scale eggplant producers was conducted. A stochastic production frontier function which incorporates a model for the technical efficiency effect was applied. Through a multi-stage sampling method, 60 egg plant farmers were selected with the aid of questionnaire. Using the max...
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Effect of T&V Innovation on Income and Farmers Performance in Edo State Nigeria
Abiola Matthew Oladipupo,
Omoregbee Friday Egbenayabuwa,
Caroline Sede
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
159-167
Received:
28 June 2014
Accepted:
8 July 2014
Published:
30 July 2014
Abstract: The study examined the effect of training and visit innovation on the income and famer performance in two out of three agro ecological zones of Edo State, Nigeria. This study focused on contact crop farmers drawn from two out of three agro-ecological zones of Edo State, namely Edo central and Edo south. A multi-stage random sampling method was used both for economic reasons and especially because the sampling units occur in strata such as zones, blocks and cells. Data were collected from randomly sampled respondents from two senatorial districts in Edo State. Edo state is divided into three agro-ecological zones- Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South, out of which Edo Central and Edo south were randomly selected. Two blocks each were selected randomly from a total of five and seven blocks in Edo central and Edo south zones respectively. These blocks were Igueben and Esan North East in Edo central and Oredo and Egor in Edo south senatorial zone. Each block consists of eight cells. A random selection of four cells was made from each block and total of sixteen cells were chosen and eight from each zone and ten farmers were randomly selected from each of the 16 cells, giving a total of one hundred and sixty farmers/respondents for the study but only a hundred and fifty six copies of a questionnaire were found useful for the study. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and budgetary tools. The outcome of the study indicated that training and visit innovation had increasing effect on farm size and income of farmers in the study areas.
Abstract: The study examined the effect of training and visit innovation on the income and famer performance in two out of three agro ecological zones of Edo State, Nigeria. This study focused on contact crop farmers drawn from two out of three agro-ecological zones of Edo State, namely Edo central and Edo south. A multi-stage random sampling method was used...
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Analysis of Causes of Top-Dying in Sundarbans Natural Forest Resources
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
168-182
Received:
3 July 2014
Accepted:
17 July 2014
Published:
10 August 2014
Abstract: The Sundarbans is the largest, biologically richest, and most extensive mangrove forest in the world, which is also a world heritage saite. Heritierafomes (Sundri) tree is the most important ecologically dominant and economically valuable tree species in the Sundarbans. However, a serious disease (top dying) of H. fomes in Sundarbans is affecting millions of the trees. An inventory by Chaffey et al., (1985) revealed that there were about 45.2 million top dying trees in the Sundarbans of which 20 million had more than 50% of their crown affected by top dying. The loss of H. fomes will have a major impact on the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem, as well as lead to economic losses.Despite various hypotheses as to the causes of this top dying, the underlying causes are still not well understood. The present work has explored some of the possible factors involved, focusing particularly on the relationship between the amount of top-dying in different places and the concentrations of a number of chemical elements present in the soil and water, in order to test the hypothesis that chemical pollution might be responsible. Other factors such as the pH, salinity and nutrient status were also assessed. Nine plots were selected for sampling of soil, water, and vegetation in order to categorize different areas in terms of their intensity of top-dying.63 soil samples and 9 water samples were tested, mainly by ICPMS, to investigate certain parameters of the soil and water, such as Sn, Exchangeable K, Soil pH, Pb, Zn, Ni, soil pH, CEC, soil nutrients, soil moisture content, and elemental concentrations of 32 other elements. Most of the elements studied had no significant correlation with the top dying of Heritierafomes.However, Sn, Exchangeable K, and soil pH were significantly related, and three elements, namely Pb, Zn, Sr, were also close to significance.Of the hypotheses previously put forward to explain top-dying, the present results do not support enhanced salinity as the cause. It is likely that several of the above-mentioned environmental factors interact with each other to induce top dying in Sundri.But, the present results have showed thatSn, Exchangeable K, Pb, Srand Zn could be directlylinked with top-dying of Heritierafomes (Sundri) in Sundarbans, probably particularly by weakening the vigour of the trees and allowing other factors such as pathological agents to attack the plants.
Abstract: The Sundarbans is the largest, biologically richest, and most extensive mangrove forest in the world, which is also a world heritage saite. Heritierafomes (Sundri) tree is the most important ecologically dominant and economically valuable tree species in the Sundarbans. However, a serious disease (top dying) of H. fomes in Sundarbans is affecting m...
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Extreme Events (Flood & Drought) and Food Security Measures in the Aspects of Local Perception
M. A. Rakib,
M. S. Akter,
M. B. Hossain
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
183-191
Received:
26 June 2014
Accepted:
28 July 2014
Published:
10 August 2014
Abstract: Natural hazards and its negative consequences on agricultural activities revealed that, crop production rate is gradually dwindled. Climatic hazards were identified as a critical factor, whereas it may emerge a barrier to get better crop yielding options. Local perception on natural hazards directly coincided with the observational factors. A number of people were observed food insecure during flooding and drought hazards in case of improper cultivation and marketing approach. Now-a-days food security is a great challenge in rural and disaster prone area, which is indicated to local impacts, occupational stress and livelihood diversification. In addition, a number of climatic factors were found to be significantly negative correlation with the crop production rate. However, compartmental research would be very helpful to build up coping capacity, adaptation and recovery on time measures along with the proper action.
Abstract: Natural hazards and its negative consequences on agricultural activities revealed that, crop production rate is gradually dwindled. Climatic hazards were identified as a critical factor, whereas it may emerge a barrier to get better crop yielding options. Local perception on natural hazards directly coincided with the observational factors. A numbe...
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Variations of Nutrient Contents between Healthy and Insect-Damaged Hippophae Rhamnoides Ssp. Sinensis
Lili Xu,
Rong Wang,
Linfeng Yu,
Tao Wang,
Shixiang Zong,
Pengfei Lu
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
192-198
Received:
21 July 2014
Accepted:
3 August 2014
Published:
20 August 2014
Abstract: The moisture contents, nutrients and mineral elements of the different sections of healthy and insect-damaged Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis were analysed to evaluate changes in the nutrient content of plants after damage by Holcocerus hippophaecolus. In affected plants, no significant differences in protein or moisture contents were observed in all three sections. Ash contents decreased significantly in the top and lower sections, potassium and zinc contents decreased significantly in all three sections. The total contents of amino acids significantly increased in the middle and lower sections. Proline and cysteine amounts increased significantly in all three sections. Damage-induced variation in the contents of nutrient substances in the different sections had a strong impact on the metabolism and growth of plants. The present results reveal the mechanism underlying the death or injury of H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis caused by H. hippophaecolus.
Abstract: The moisture contents, nutrients and mineral elements of the different sections of healthy and insect-damaged Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis were analysed to evaluate changes in the nutrient content of plants after damage by Holcocerus hippophaecolus. In affected plants, no significant differences in protein or moisture contents were observed i...
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Production Economics of Sustainable Soil Management Based Cauliflower (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Botrytis) in Dhading District of Nepal
Binod Ghimire,
Shiva Chandra Dhakal
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
199-205
Received:
29 May 2014
Accepted:
6 August 2014
Published:
20 August 2014
Abstract: Study investigated the production economics of sustainable soil management based cauliflower conducted at Nalang VDC of Dhading District in Nepal. It was based on primary data for the year 2012 obtained from randomly selected 60 sustainable soil management based cauliflower producers using pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. Findings of the study revealed that, per ropani total cost of sustainable soil management based cauliflower production was lower whereas, gross income and gross margin were significantly higher by NRs. 1749.58 and 2173.36 respectively compared to before sustainable soil management practices in the study area. Also, comparatively higher benefit-cost ratio (4.26) and higher return to scale (0.802) was observed from sustainable soil management based cauliflower production. Similarly, production function analysis revealed that one percent increase in the use of hired human labor, expenditure on seed and expenditure on chemical inputs would increase the yield of cauliflower by 0.027, 0.362 and 0.177 percent respectively. Resource use efficiency analysis resulted that the resources were not utilized to their optimum economic level. For optimum allocation of resources expenditure on seed, chemical inputs and organic manure is required to increase by 96.1 percent, 87.5 percent and 72.0 percent respectively whereas, expenditure on human labor is required to decrease by 116.0 percent.
Abstract: Study investigated the production economics of sustainable soil management based cauliflower conducted at Nalang VDC of Dhading District in Nepal. It was based on primary data for the year 2012 obtained from randomly selected 60 sustainable soil management based cauliflower producers using pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. Findings of ...
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Isolation of Microflora in Earthworms Guts from Different Substrates
Mohamed Omer Albasha,
P. Gupta,
P. W. Ramteke
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
206-208
Received:
19 July 2014
Accepted:
31 July 2014
Published:
20 August 2014
Abstract: The fungi and bacteria were analysed in the gut of Eudrilus eugeniae, from different feed substrates like dry leaves, plastic waste, kitchen waste and waste paper. Certain species of fungi (Saksenae vasiformis, Mucor plumbeus, Cladosporium carrionii, C. herbacium, Alternaria sp., Cunninghamella echinulata, Mycetia sterila, Syncephalostrum racemosum, Curvalaria lunata, C. geniculata and Geotrichum candidum) and bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mima polymorpha, E. cloacae, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis, P. rettgeri, Escherichia coli, Staphylococus citreus, B. cereus, Enterococci and Micrococci) were completely digested. Certain other species were not digested fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, The microbial proliferation was more in the casts, due to the environment prevailing - rich in nutrient supply and large surface area available for growth and reproduction of the microbes that lead to enhanced microbial activity and humic acid contents in the casts.
Abstract: The fungi and bacteria were analysed in the gut of Eudrilus eugeniae, from different feed substrates like dry leaves, plastic waste, kitchen waste and waste paper. Certain species of fungi (Saksenae vasiformis, Mucor plumbeus, Cladosporium carrionii, C. herbacium, Alternaria sp., Cunninghamella echinulata, Mycetia sterila, Syncephalostrum racemosum...
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