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.
