Evaluation of the Biological and Chemical Properties of Compost Prepared from Different Plants Sources Taken from the University of Tikrit

Abstract

Abstract A laboratory experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources - College of Agriculture - University of Tikrit, for the (2019-2020), to evaluate the biological and chemical properties of compost prepared from different plants sources and to compare the stages of decomposition aerobic and anaerobic, and on two parts of thin leaves plants (Imperata Cylindrica and Cynodon dactylon). And the second section is broadleaves plants (Sorghum halepense and Diplotaxis cespitosa) to which the bacteria Pseudomonas spp., and Bacillus spp. were added, and the biological, chemical, and physical properties were studied for the purpose of evaluating it as an organic fertilizer, as the experiment included four treatments: control (without inoculation) analyzed with two types of bacteria, aerobic (Pseudomonas spp.) and anaerobic (Bacillus spp.) bacterial inoculation treatment. The results showed PH values for the treatments (6.12, 5.88, 6.92, 5.18), respectively, and Ec values (2.12, 1.88, 2.87, 3.18) mmohs/cm, respectively. Also, some elements were analyzed, calcium and magnesium. The percentages of calcium in the extract of thin-leaves plants were (41, 57, 5.22, 5.14) mEq/L, respectively, and (43, 53, 5.94, 5.82) mEq/L, respectively, in broad-leaves plants, as well as the percentages of magnesium in the extract of thin-leaves plants (24, 39, 4.2, 4.6) mEq/L, and (17, 38, 4.94, 5.12) mEq/L, respectively, in the broad-leaves plants. Also, the bacteria were counted by the method of dilutions, as the treatment of the bacterial inoculum (Pseudomonas spp.) by aerobic lysis showed superiority in the number of bacteria, and this treatment also gave the best results in terms of the elements that were analyzed. The results also showed that the inoculated treatments were superior in increasing the proportions and readiness of some elements compared to the control treatment.