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The Impact of Composted Animal Wastes and Their Associated Faecal Indicator Organisms on the Growth and Yield of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Vegetable in Calabar, Nigeria
Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences · Area of research: Environmental Microbiology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1720131
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of untreated, composted, and incinerated animal wastes on physicochemical properties, microbiological safety, nutritional composition, and growth performance of Talinum triangulare. Laboratory analyses assessed moisture content, organic matter, nitrogen, pH, microbial quality, proximate composition, mineral content, and yield parameters. Results showed that untreated wastes had higher moisture content (70–85%), organic matter, and nitrogen levels, which declined after composting and incineration. Composting improved nutrient stability, whereas incineration resulted in reduced organic matter (≤18%) and nitrogen (≤0.5%) with increased alkalinity (pH 8.0–8.4). Microbiological analysis revealed that soils amended with untreated manure had the highest faecal contamination (5.30 × 10⁵–2.10 × 10⁶ CFU/g), including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Salmonella species. Composting significantly reduced microbial loads (1.50 × 10³–4.23 × 10³ CFU/g), while incineration recorded the lowest levels (1.2 × 10¹–2.0 × 10¹ CFU/g). PCR confirmation identified E. coli (uidA) and Salmonella (invA and hns genes) in plant samples. Composted manure produced the highest growth and yield of T. triangulare, particularly mixed manure treatments, whereas incinerated treatments showed the poorest performance. Nutritional analysis revealed improved quality of compost-treated plants, with higher crude protein content (up to 6.0%) and essential mineral accumulation. Composting provided the best balance of nutrient availability, plant productivity, nutritional enhancement, and microbial safety, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable approach for animal waste management and vegetable production.
Keywords
Animal Waste Treatment, Composting, Incineration, Talinum Triangulare (Waterleaf), Physicochemical Properties.
How to cite this paper
@article{1720131,
author = {Agbiji, Nneka Ndifon, Ekpenyong, Glory Maurice},
title = {The Impact of Composted Animal Wastes and Their Associated Faecal Indicator Organisms on the Growth and Yield of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Vegetable in Calabar, Nigeria },
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {4104-4131},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1720131.pdf},
abstract = {This study evaluated the effects of untreated, composted, and incinerated animal wastes on physicochemical properties, microbiological safety, nutritional composition, and growth performance of Talinum triangulare. Laboratory analyses assessed moisture content, organic matter, nitrogen, pH, microbial quality, proximate composition, mineral content, and yield parameters. Results showed that untreated wastes had higher moisture content (70–85%), organic matter, and nitrogen levels, which declined after composting and incineration. Composting improved nutrient stability, whereas incineration resulted in reduced organic matter (≤18%) and nitrogen (≤0.5%) with increased alkalinity (pH 8.0–8.4). Microbiological analysis revealed that soils amended with untreated manure had the highest faecal contamination (5.30 × 10⁵–2.10 × 10⁶ CFU/g), including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Salmonella species. Composting significantly reduced microbial loads (1.50 × 10³–4.23 × 10³ CFU/g), while incineration recorded the lowest levels (1.2 × 10¹–2.0 × 10¹ CFU/g). PCR confirmation identified E. coli (uidA) and Salmonella (invA and hns genes) in plant samples. Composted manure produced the highest growth and yield of T. triangulare, particularly mixed manure treatments, whereas incinerated treatments showed the poorest performance. Nutritional analysis revealed improved quality of compost-treated plants, with higher crude protein content (up to 6.0%) and essential mineral accumulation. Composting provided the best balance of nutrient availability, plant productivity, nutritional enhancement, and microbial safety, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable approach for animal waste management and vegetable production.},
keywords = {Animal Waste Treatment, Composting, Incineration, Talinum Triangulare (Waterleaf), Physicochemical Properties.},
month = {July},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1720131}
}