Biology of Composts

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Composting: Paradigms and Mechanisms

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Compost and Compost Tea Microbiology: The “-Omics” Era

      • Chaney C. G. St. Martin, Judy Rouse-Miller, Gem Thomas Barry, Piterson Vilpigue

      Pages 3-30

   3. Biological Sterilisation, Detoxification and Stimulation of Cucurbitacin-Containing Manure

      • Phatu William Mashela, Kgabo Martha Pofu, Ebrahim Shokoohi

      Pages 31-47

   4. Nematode Succession During Composting Process

      • Mouna Jeridi, Amel Ayari-Akkari, Sazada Siddiqui, K. K. Chaudhary

      Pages 49-62

   5. Review on Physiological Effects of Vermicomposts on Plants

      • Gederts Ievinsh

      Pages 63-86

   6. Interaction of Earthworm Activity with Soil Structure and Enzymes

      • Sazada Siddiqui

      Pages 87-106

   7. Survival of Pathogenic and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Vermicompost, Sewage Sludge, and Other Types of Composts in Temperate Climate Conditions

      • Lelde Grantina-Ievina, Ieva Rodze

      Pages 107-124

3. Modern Tools and Techniques for Composting Research

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 125-125

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   2. Molecular Tools and Techniques for Understanding the Microbial Community Dynamics of Vermicomposting

      • Mukesh K. Meghvansi, K. K. Chaudhary, Mohammad Haneef Khan, Sazada Siddiqui, Ajit Varma

      Pages 127-151

   3. Facile Monitoring of the Stability and Maturity of Compost Through Fast Analytical Instrumental Techniques

      • Pablo Martín-Ramos, Jesús Martín-Gil

      Pages 153-179

   4. 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 et al.

      Pages 181-202

   5. Application of Nanotechnology to Research on the Microbiology of Composting

      • Chaney C. G. St. Martin, Judy Rouse-Miller, Piterson Vilpigue, Richard Rampersaud

      Pages 203-214

4. Composting Applications

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 215-215

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   2. Bioremediation of Pesticides in Soil Through Composting: Potential and Challenges

      • Sunita Varjani, M. Chaithanya Sudha, N. Manoj Kumar, B. Basant Kumar Pillai, Vijay Kumar Srivastava, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi et al.

      Pages 217-244

   3. Current Trends and Insights on Compost Utilization Studies: Crop Residue Composting to Improve Soil Organic Matter in Sugarcane Cultivation, Tamil Nadu, India

      • J. Siva Rani

      Pages 245-256

   4. Applications of Streptomyces spp. Enhanced Compost in Sustainable Agriculture

      • Laura Buzón-Durán, Eduardo Pérez-Lebeña, Jesús Martín-Gil, Mercedes Sánchez-Báscones, Pablo Martín-Ramos

      Pages 257-291

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.

• Organic matter decomposition
• Composting
• vermicomposting
• organic waste
• biodegredation
• Plant nutrition
• Soil microbial activities
• Compost
• soil conditioner
• humus
• green waste
• decomposition
• fertilizer
• soil amendment

• Bioprocess Technology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India

  Mukesh K. Meghvansi

• Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, India

  Ajit Varma

Dr. Mukesh K. Meghvansi, earned his PhD from MDS University, Ajmer (India) under a Euro Commission-sponsored project. After serving as 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’ under 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 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 inthe 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 on Soil Biology. He is 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.

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