mTurmaric Powder (Curcuma longa) Affected on Microbial Dynamics, Ammonia Emission Rate and Some Chemical Properties of Layer Litter

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (TM) is a natural antiseptic showed good antimicrobial activity against microbes. Study was attempted to compare the microbial dynamics and ammonia emissions of turmeric amended layer litter by wiping out conditions that favor microbes at several application levels. Three months old well managed layer litter was subjected for the study. A litter sample (2kg) was taken and well mixed in a black poly bag and 4 samples were taken for the determination of initial pH and moisture (%). Turmeric powder was used to mix with litter at 5 different levels; 0,1, 3, 5 and 8% (w/w). After mixing, 150g of mixed litter was placed in a container for each level of the 4 replicated samples. Then samples were incubated for 5h, and the emitted NH3 was trapped with boric acid and then titrated with HCL to determine the NH3 emissions. The emission rate was calculated as milligrams of NH3 emitted/ kilogram of fresh litter/hour. One hundred litter samples (5 samples from each replicate) were incubated for 5h and analyzed for total plate count (TPC), yeast and mould count (YMC), nematode count (NEM), litter pH and moisture. TPC and YMC were determined by using microbial cultures on PCA media and PDA media, respectively. Nematode count was determined using Me Master Chamber. Irrespective of the application level of TM, significant (p<0.05) reduction of bacteria count and YMC were found. Reduction of bacteria were 42.42, 60.6, 95.15 and 98.18%, for 1, 3, 5 and 8% application levels respectively. Significant reduction of YMC (approximately 100%) was observed at 8% application of TP compared to 0% application resulted numerous count. The reduction of total nematodes was 21.87, 34.37, 50 and 53.12% for 1, 3, 5 and 8% applications respectively. The pH was significantly (p<0.05) reduced with the increment of TM level showing highest (9.34) at 0% and the lowest (9.07) at 8% application level. Moisture (%) was significantly increased in 1% (44.53%) and 8% (45.18%) applications. There was a trend in reducing NH3 emission with all applications but not significantly different among treatments. Application of TM (>3%) was effective in reducing pH (towards acidic). It was concluded that the bacterial and fungal counts of layer litter can be effectively reduced with the application of 8% TP there by a possible reduction in ammonia emission by altering favourable conditions for microbes in the litter such as pH and moisture.