Changes in Surviving Microorganism in Cow Manure with Adding Lime Nitrogen

Abstract

Pathogenic bacteria known as E. coli may survive in cow manure and may efflux from upland fields where cow manure was applied. So, treating of E.coli through fermentation process has been focused. It has been considered that air drying method was effective method for decreasing E.coli. However, this treatment may possibly eliminate not only pathogenic bacteria but also useful bacteria for decomposition. This study aimed to investigate the changes in number of E.coli, coliform bacteria and general bacteria during the fermentation of cow manure with adding lime nitrogen (nitrolime). Samples used were fresh cow dung, 2 weeks and 12 weeks fermented manure. Lime nitrogen was added to all three types of dung samples then were kept in incubator within 14 days. Sampling, stirring and supplying of physiological saline were conducted. Based on the experimental results, there was a significant decrease in E.coli and coliform bacteria in cow manure after adding of lime nitrogen; however there was no decrease in general bacteria. It was observed that controlling to pH 9.0 in cow manure samples was appropriate for decreasing E.coli and coli form bacteria during cow manure fermentation with minimum damage to general bacteria. Therefore, it was concluded that treating of cow manure by adding lime nitrogen, especially controlling to around pH 9.0, is an effective strategy for sterilizing pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli and other coliform bacteria with minimum damage to general bacteria.