| Title: | Bioconversion of Scotch broom into a high-quality organic fertiliser: Vermicomposting as a sustainable option |
| Author(s): | Dominguez J; Gomez-Brandon M; Martinez-Cordeiro H; Lores M; |
| Address: | "1 Departamento de Ecoloxia e Bioloxia Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Spain. 2 Laboratorio de Investigacion y Desarrollo de Soluciones Analiticas, Departamento de Quimica Analitica, Nutricion y Bromatologia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Facultad de Quimica, Spain" |
| Abstract: | "Wild Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link) shrubs are widely distributed throughout the world and, in some countries, are considered to be a threat to other plant species. The use of plant biomass from Scotch broom as a fertiliser seems to be the optimum solution for its disposal because it contains considerable amounts of macronutrients. However, its direct application to soils may cause phytotoxicity due to the release of polyphenols, which could negatively affect crop growth. This study evaluated the efficiency of vermicomposting in processing this leguminous plant on an industrial scale. Vermicomposting substantially reduced the biomass of Scotch broom (by 84%), mainly as a result of the loss of volatile solids. Simultaneously, the initial population of earthworms ( Eisenia andrei) increased remarkably throughout the process, offering the possibility of obtaining earthworm protein for animal feed. A nutrient-rich and stabilised peat-like material without polyphenol-associated phytotoxicity was obtained after 42 days of vermicomposting. Lower values of microbial biomass and activity, indicative of stabilised materials, were recorded at the end of the trial. These findings suggest that vermicomposting is an environmentally sound management system for Scotch broom and could easily be scaled up for industrial application" |
| Keywords: | Animals Biomass *Cytisus Fertilizers *Oligochaeta Soil Cytisus scoparius Eisenia andrei microbial activity phenolic compounds vermicompost vermicomposting; |
| Notes: | "MedlineDominguez, Jorge Gomez-Brandon, Maria Martinez-Cordeiro, Hugo Lores, Marta eng England 2018/09/11 Waste Manag Res. 2018 Nov; 36(11):1092-1099. doi: 10.1177/0734242X18797176. Epub 2018 Sep 10" |
