Summary
This experimental study demonstrates that livestock feeding habits significantly influence both the physicochemical and microbiological properties of manure-derived composts. Herbivore manures (sheep, cattle) produced composts with higher pH, nitrate and carbon content, whilst omnivore manures (pig, chicken) yielded composts enriched in ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus; correspondingly, distinct bacterial phyla dominated each category. The findings suggest that manure metataxonomy profiles could be used to predict and manage composting processes.
Regional applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK farming systems, where mixed livestock operations (cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry) are common and composting is an established waste-management and soil-amendment practice. Understanding how manure type steers compost microbiology could improve nutrient cycling efficiency and organic matter quality in UK regenerative and organic farming systems.
Key measures
pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), C/N ratio, bacterial and fungal diversity indices, metataxonomy composition (16S rRNA and ITS sequencing), relative abundance of bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes)
Outcomes reported
The study examined how manure source (herbivore vs omnivore livestock) influences bacterial and fungal community composition, diversity, and physicochemical properties during composting. Herbivore and omnivore manures showed distinct clustering patterns and divergent microbial profiles, with differential dominance of bacterial phyla and contrasting nutrient content.
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