About this book
This book highlights the latest findings on fundamental aspects of composting, the interaction of various microorganisms, and the underlying mechanisms. In addition to addressing modern tools and techniques used for composting research, it provides an overview of potential composting applications in both agriculture and environmental reclamation.
Composting is the process of organic waste decomposition, mediated by microorganisms. The end-product is called ‘compost’ and can be used as a supplement to improve soil fertility. As the municipal waste generated in most developing countries contains a substantial amount of organic matter suitable for composting, this technology offers a win-win opportunity for stakeholders in terms of disposing of organic waste and providing organic fertilizers for agriculture. In addition, using compost reduces the dependency on harmful chemical fertilizers, and represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative.
Contents
PART I. Composting: Paradigms and Mechanisms
1. Compost and Compost Tea Microbiology: the "-Omics" Era / Chaney C.G. St. Martin, Judy Rouse-Miller, Gem Thomas Barry, Piterson Vilpigue
2. Biological Sterilisation, Detoxification and Stimulation of Cucurbitacin-containing Manure / Phatu William Mashela, Kgabo Martha Pofu, Ebrahim Shokoohi
3. Nematode succession during composting process / Mouna Jeridi, Amel Ayari-Akkari, Sazada Siddiqui, and K.K. Chaudhary
4. Review on Physiological Effects of Vermicomposts on Plants / Gederts Ievinsh
5. Interaction of Earthworm Activity with Soil Structure and Enzymes / Sazada Siddiqui
6. Survival of Pathogenic and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Vermicompost, Sewage Sludge and other Types of Composts in Temperate Climate Conditions / Lelde Grantina-Ievina and Ieva Rodze
PART II. Modern Tools and Techniques for Composting Research
7. Molecular Tools and Techniques for Understanding the Microbial Community Dynamics of Vermicomposting / Mukesh K. Meghvansi, K.K. Chaudhary, Mohammad Haneef Khan, Sazada Siddiqui, and Ajit Varma
8. Molecular Tools and Techniques for Understanding the Microbial Community Dynamics of Vermicomposting / Pablo Martin-Ramos, Jesus Martin-Gil
9. Recent Advances in Assessing the Maturity and Stability of Compost / Sazada Siddiqui, Saad Alamri, Suliman Al Rumman, Mohammed A. Al-Kahtani, Mukesh K. Meghvansi, Mouna Jeridi, Tanveer Shumail and Mahmood Moustafa
10. Application of Nanotechnology to Research on the Microbiology of Composting / Chaney C.G. St. Martin, Judy Rouse-Miller, Piterson Vilpigue, Richard Rampersaud
PART III. Composting Applications
11. Bioremediation of Pesticides in Soil Through Composting: Potential and Challenges / Sunita Varjani, M. Chaitanya Sudha, N. Manoj Kumar, Basant Kumar Pillai B, Vijay Kumar Srivastava, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi, Zengqiang Zhang
12. Current Trends and Insights on Compost Utilization Studies - Crop Residue Composting to Improve Soil Organic Matter in Sugarcane Cultivation, Tamil Nadu, India / Siva Rani J.
13. Applications of Streptomyces spp. Enhanced Compost in Sustainable Agriculture / Eduardo Perez-Lebena, Laura Buzon-Duran, Jesus Martin-Gil, Mercedes Sanchez-Bascones, and Pablo Martin-Ramos
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Biography
Dr Mukesh K. Meghvansi, earned his PhD from MDS University, Ajmer (India) under a Euro Commission-sponsored project. After serving as a lecturer at Bundelkhand University Jhansi (India) for a stint, he joined as a scientist in Defence R & D Organisation, Govt of India in 2008. He has more than fifty publications in various international/national journals. He has edited/authored three books including a Springer publication Organic Amendments and Soil Suppressiveness in the Soil Biology series. Currently, he is engaged in R & D on biodegradation of human faecal matter.
Prof. Dr Ajit Varma obtained his PhD from Allahabad University (India). He served as a professor at School of Life Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi for about three decades. Currently, he is working as Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence at Amity University, Noida, Delhi-NCR, India. He has published over 290 articles in national and international journals, 38 books in the area of Microbial Technology, published by Academic Press, London, CRC Press, Florida, USA, IDRC, Canada and Springer-Verlag, Germany. He was nominated as Editor-in-Chief by Springer-Verlag (Germany & New York), to prepare 50 volumes in theSoil Biology series. He is the recipient of a number of international awards/fellowships including Commonwealth Fellowship (Australia), Alexander von-Humboldt fellowship (Germany), DAAD Fellowship (Germany) and many more. He is fellow of several national and international professional bodies including National Academy of Agriculture Sciences (India), International Society of Symbiosis (USA) and Indian Science Congress Association.
