Identification of Microbial Populations in Blends of Worm Castings or Sugarcane Filter Mud Compost with Biochar

Soil amendments are used to improve soil quality, thereby enhancing plant growth and health. Efforts have been made replace synthetic chemical enhancers. It is also preferable not use natural products such as peat moss, the harvesting of which can be harmful marine ecosystems. Viable replacements include worm castings, contribute beneficial microbes, well physicochemical amendments. Another potential amendment compost produced from sugarcane processing byproducts. While texture these two materials ideal for even dispersal onto fields, addition biochar improves texture. Previous work demonstrated that blending them with byproducts added benefits, while quantitatively reducing microbial load, after storage. Microbial populations blends in present study were found (1) contain taxonomic groups health (2) human pathogens. Based on quantitative qualitative analyses, it has determined 50% or less a blend will allow maintenance microbes stored samples.