Effect of Trichoderma asperellum Inoculation on Mineralization of Carbon and Nitrogen during Composting of Plant and Animal Residues

Abstract

Trichoderma spp is a genus of fungi, among many species that can be used to control phytopathogenic fungi. Having reviewed past research, there is a dearth of knowledge on the use of Trichoderma as an activator in the production of compost. This study was therefore carried out to determine the effect of Trichoderma asperellum inoculation on the mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in compost of different plant and animal materials. The experiment was carried out in the Soil Science laboratory of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria. The experiment was set up in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial combination arranged in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The treatment consisted of two (2) types of animal wastes (poultry manure and cow dung), two (2) types of plant residues (Panicum maximum and Aspilia africana) and two (2) levels of Trichoderma inoculation (inoculated and uninoculated). The animal and plant residues were mixed in the ratio 3:1 and composted for twelve (12) weeks.  Data were collected on pH, soil organic carbon, soil nitrate and ammonium content at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after inoculation. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). At the end of the study, it was observed that Trichoderma asperellum inoculation increased nitrogen mineralization in the compost, especially at eight (8) weeks after inoculation. Nitrate and ammonium-N levels differed significantly as Trichoderma asperellum inoculation favored increased nitrate-N over ammonium-N in the compost. It is therefore concluded that Trichoderma asperellum inoculation has the potential to enhance N mineralization thus improving the quality of compost for agricultural production.