Summer squash, Cucurbita pepo was field grown under fourteen soil treatments: sewage sludge (SS); horse manure (HM); chicken manure (CM); vermicompost; inorganic fertilizer (Inorg); commercial organic fertilizer (Org); and no-mulch (NM) control treatment. Soil treatments were also mixed with biochar to make a total of 14 treatments to assess the impact on 1) squash fruit yield and quality, 2) fruit vitamin C, total phenols, and soluble sugars content, and 3) soil microbial activity expressed as urease and invertase secretions. Results revealed that SS treatments increased squash yield and fruit number by 114% and 116%, respectively compared to NM control treatment. Fruits of plants grown in Inorg mixed with biochar (InorgBio) increased fruits’ vitamin C, total phenols, and soluble sugars by 73%, 52%, and 7%, respectively compared to Inorg with no-biochar treatment. However, biochar was not consistent in increasing soil urease and invertase activities. The use of animal manure is an affordable way to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers. Results revealed that the addition of biochar to Org fertilizer increased squash fruit weight and numbers of fruits compared to Org not treated with biochar. No single amendment increased all fruit composition and soil urease and invertase activities.
Moya, D., Aldás, C., López, G. and Kaparaju, P. (2017) Municipal Solid Waste as a Valuable Renewable Energy Resource: A Worldwide Opportunity of Energy Recovery by Using Waste-to-Energy Technologies. Energy Procedia, 134, 286-295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.618
Antonious, G.F. (2009) Enzyme Activities and Heavy Metals Concentration in Soil Amended with Sewage Sludge. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 44, 1019-1024. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934520902996971
Antonious, G.F. (2015) Decontamination of Pesticide Residues for Sustainable Agriculture. JSM Environmental Science & Ecology, 3, 1-7.
Angelovicova, L., Lodenius, M., Tulisalo, E. and Fazekasova, D. (2014) Effect of Heavy Metals on Soil Enzyme Activity at Different Field Conditions in Middle Spis Mining Area (Slovakia). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 93, 670-675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1397-0
Antonious, G., Turley, E. and Dawood, M. (2020) Monitoring Soil Enzymes Activity before and after Animal Manure Application. Agriculture, 10, 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10050166
Antonious, G.F. and Snyder, J.C. (2007) Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Plants and Potential Phytoremediation of Lead by Potato, Solanum tuberosum L. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, 42, 811-816. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934520701304757
Antonious, G.F., Turley, E.T., Hill, R.R. and Snyder, J.C. (2013) Effect of Municipal Refuse and Chicken Manure Applications on Kale and Collard Green Yields and Quality. University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Lexington, Fruit and Vegetable Research Report, PR-673, 37-39.
Antonious, G.F. (2014) Impact of Soil Management Practices on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Antioxidant Contents of Pepper at Four Stages of Fruit Development. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 49, 769-774. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2014.929908
Antonious, G.F. (2016) Chapter 7. Soil Amendments for Agricultural Production. In: Larramendy, M.L. and Soloneski, S., Eds., Organic Fertilizers: From Basic Concepts to Applied Outcomes, Intech, Rijeka, 157-187.
Antonious, G.F. (2016) Recycling Organic Waste for Enhancing Soil Urease and Invertase Activity. International Journal of Waste Resources, 6, 219-225. https://doi.org/10.4172/2252-5211.1000219
Plaza, C., Polo, A., Brunetti, G., Garcia-Gil, J. and D’Orazio, V. (2003) Soil Fulvic Acid Properties as a Means to Assess the Use of Pig Amendment. Soil and Tillage Research, 74, 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2003.07.002
Wanner, U., Fuhr, F. and Burauel, P. (2005) Influence of the Amendment of Corn Straw on the Degradation Behaviour of the Fungicide Dithianon in Soil. Environmental Pollution, 133, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2004.04.013
Subramanian, B. and Gupta, G. (2006) Adsorption of Trace Elements from Poultry Litter by Montmorillonite Clay. Journal of Hazardous Materials B, 128, 80-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.05.036
Antonious, G.F., Perkins, E. and Cantor, A.H. (2009) Chicken Manure Increased Concentration of Organic Sulfur Compounds in Field Grown Onions. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B, 44, 481-487. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601230902935303
Westendorf, M. and Krogmann, U. (2014) Horses and Manure. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment, New Brunswick, Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS036.
Ramnarain, Y.I., Abdel Ansari, A. and Ori, L. (2019) Vermicomposting of Different Organic Materials Using the Epigeic Earthworm, Eisenia foetida. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 8, 23-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-018-0225-7
Antonious, G.F. (2018) Biochar and Animal Manure Impact on Soil, Crop Yield and Quality. In: Agricultural Waste and Residue, IntechOpen Science Books, Rijeka, 45-67. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77008
Wu, H., Lai, C., Zeng, G., Liang, J., Chen, J., Xu, J. and Lu, L. (2017) The Interactions of Composting and Biochar and Their Implications for Soil Amendment and Pollution Remediation: A Review. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37, 754-764. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2016.1232696
Ferreira, C., Verheijen, F., Puga, J., Keizer, J. and Ferreira, A. (2017) Biochar in Vineyards: Impact on Soil Quality and Crop Yield Four Years after the Application. Proceedings of the 19th EGU General Assembly, EGU2017, Vienna, 23-28 April 2017, 1600.
Hollman, P.C.H. (2001) Evidence for Health Benefits of Plant Phenols: Local or Systemic Effects? Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 81, 842-852. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.900
Shi, W. (2011) Chapter 3. Agricultural and Ecological Significance of Soil Enzymes: Soil Carbon Sequestration and Nutrient Cycling. In: Shukla, G. and Varma, A., Eds., Soil Enzymology, Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, 43-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14225-3_3
Andrews, R.K., Blakeley, R.L. and Zerner, B. (1989) Urease: A Ni(II) Metalloenzyme. In: Lancaster, J.R., Ed., The Bioinorganic Chemistry of Nickel, VCH, New York, 141-166.
Simpson, J.R., Freney, J.R., Wetselaar, R., Muirhead, W.A., Leuning, R. and Denmead, O.T. (1984) Transformations and Losses of Urea Nitrogen after Application to Flooded Rice. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 35, 189-200. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9840189
Polacco, J.C. (1977) Is Nickel a Universal Component of Plant Ureases? Plant Science Letters, 10, 249-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4211(77)90136-5
Mobley, H.L.T. and Hausinger, R.P. (1989) Microbial Urease: Significance, Regulation and Molecular Characterization. Microbiological Reviews, 53, 85-108. https://doi.org/10.1128/mr.53.1.85-108.1989
Lef, L.K. and Nannipieri, P. (1995) Methods in Soil Microbiology and Enzyme Activities, Academic Press/Harcourt Brace and Company, London, 225-230.
Splading, B.P. (1979) Effect of Divalent Metal Cations Respiration and Extractable Enzymes Activities of Douglss-Fir Needle Litter. Journal of Environmental Quality, 8, 105-109. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1979.00472425000800010023x
Martínez-Valdivieso, D., Gómez, P., Font, R. and Del Río-Celestino, M. (2015) Mineral Composition and Potential Nutritional Contribution of 34 Genotypes from Different Summer Squash Morphotypes. European Food Research and Technology, 240, 71-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-014-2308-7
Oloyede, F., Agbaje, G.O., Obuotor, E.M. and Obisesan, I.O. (2012) Nutritional and Antioxidant Profiles of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo Linn.) Immature and Mature Fruits as Influenced by NPK Fertilizer. Food Chemistry, 135, 460-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.04.124
(2018) Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. University of Kentucky, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, ID-36.
United States Department of Agriculture (2016, September 6) United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash. Specialty Crops Inspection Division Specialty Crops Program, USDA, Washington DC. https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/SummerSquashStandard.pdf
McGrath, R.M., Kaluza, W.Z., Daiber, K.H., Van der Riet, W.R. and Glennie, C.W. (1982) Polyphenols of Sorghum Grain, Their Change during Malting and Their Inhibitory Nature. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 30, 450-456. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00111a010
Antonious, G.F. and Kasperbauer, M.J. (2002) Color of Light Reflected to Leaves Modifies Nutrient Content of Carrot Roots. Crop Science, 42, 1211-1216. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2002.1211
Hashmi, M.H. (1973) Spectrophotometric Determination with Potassium Ferricyanide. In: Assay of Vitamins in Pharmaceutical Preparations, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, 311-312.
VanEtten, C.H., McGrew, C.E. and Daxenbichler, M.E. (1974) Glucosinolate Determination in Cruciferous Seeds and Meals by Measurement of Enzymatically Related Glucose. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 22, 483-487. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf60193a013
Tabatabi, M.A. and Bremner, J.M. (1972) Assay of Urease Activity in Soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 4, 479-487. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(72)90064-8
American Public Health Association (APHA) (1995) Standard Methods for the Determination of Water and Wastewater. 19th Edition.
Balasubramanian, D., Bagyaraj, D.J. and Rangaswami, G. (1970) Studies on the Influence of Foliar Application of Chemicals on the Microflora and Certain Enzyme Activities in the Rhizosphere of Eleusine coracana Gaertn. Plant and Soil, 32, 198-206. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01372858
SAS Institute Inc. (2016) SAS/STAT Guide, Version 6.4. SAS Inc., Campus Drive.
Kuno, T., Tsukamoto, T., Hara, A. and Tanaka, T. (2012) Cancer Chemoprevention through the Induction of Apoptosis by Natural Compounds. Biophysical Chemistry, 3, 156-173. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbpc.2012.32018
CDDEP (2015) The State of the World’s Antibiotics. Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, Washington DC. https://cddep.org/publications/state_worlds_antibiotics_2015/
Kentucky Health News (2012, November 14) The Land Report Kentucky Business News Source. http://www.Kentucky.com/living/health-and-medicine/article44389116.html
Yang, Q., Zhang, H., Guo, Y. and Tian, T. (2016) Influence of Chicken Manure Fertilization on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Soil and the Endophytic Bacteria of Pakchoi. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13, 662. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070662
Wuana, R.A. and Okieimen, F.E. (2011) Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils: A Review of Sources, Chemistry, Risks and Best Available Strategies for Remediation. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2011, Article ID: 402647. https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/402647
Yang, X., Feng, Y., He, Z. and Stoffella, P.J. (2005) Molecular Mechanism of Heavy Metals Hyperaccumulation and Phytoremediation. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 18, 339-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2005.02.007
Szczyglowska, M., Piekarska, A., Konieczka, P. and Namiesnil, J. (2011) Use of Brassica Plants in the Phytoremediation and Biofumigation Processes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 12, 7760-7771. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12117760
Liu, S., Yang, Z., Wang, X., Gao, R. and Liu, X. (2007) Effects of Cd and Pb Pollution on Soil Enzymatic Activities and Soil Microbiota. Frontiers of Agriculture in China, 1, 85-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-007-0016-9
Park, J., Choppala, G., Bolan, N., Chung, J. and Chuasavathi, T. (2011) Biochar Reduces the Bioavailability and Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals. Plant Soil, 348, 439-451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0948-y
Kumar, S., Mastro, R., Ram, L., Sarkar, P., George, J. and Selvi, V. (2013) Biochar Preparation from Parthenium hysterophorus and Its Potential Use in Soil Application. Ecological Engineering, 55, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.02.011
Lehmann, J., Rillig, M.C., Thies, J., Masiello, C.A., Hockaday, W.C. and Crowley, D. (2011) Biochar Effects on Soil Biota—A Review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 1812-1836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.04.022
Wu, F., Jia, Z., Wang, S., Chang, S. and Startsev, A. (2013) Contrasting Effects of Wheat Straw and Its Biochar on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Enzyme Activities in a Chernozemic Soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 49, 555-565. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-012-0745-7
Lammirato, C., Miltner, A. and Kaestner, M. (2011) Effects of Wood Char and Activated Carbon on the Hydrolysis of Cellobiose by b-Glucosidase from Aspergillus niger. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 1936-1942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.05.021