Microbiological Analysis of Top Soil and Rhizosphere Treated with Organic Manure

Microbiological analysis of topsoil and rhizosphere treated with organic manure (Poultry droppings) was carried out. Soil samples were analyzed at three days interval (Day 1, Day 4, Day 7 and Day 10). The total bacterial count recorded for rhizosphere soil treated with poultry droppings (RS:P) had the highest bacterial count ranging between 2.1×106 and 5.7×106 CFU/g. Top soil treated with poultry droppings had total bacterial count ranging between 1.9×106 and 4.9×106 CFU/g. The controls (untreated rhizosphere soil) had a total bacterial count ranging between 2.6×106 and 4.0×106 CFU/g and untreated topsoil had bacterial count ranging between 1.4×106 and 2.4×106 CFU/g. Total fungal count for top soil treated with poultry droppings ranged between 0.2×106 and 0.9×106 CFU/g. Total fungal count for rhizosphere soil treated with poultry droppings ranged between 0.2×106 and 0.3×106 CFU/g. Untreated top soil had total fungal count ranging between 0.1×106 and 0.2×106 CFU/g while untreated rhizosphere soil had a total fungal count ranging between 0.1×106 and 0.2×106 CFU/g. Bacterial isolates identified with their percentage frequency of occurrence were Bacillus sp (16.8), Enterococus sp (8.4), Clostridium sp (4.0), Staphylococcus sp (8.0) Pseudomonas sp (15.6), Listeria sp (12.0), Micrococcus sp (14.0), Serratia sp (4.8) and Streptococcus sp (7.2). Fungal isolates identified with their percentage frequency of occurrence were Rhizosphere sp (26.7%), Penicillium sp (22.5%), Aspergillus sp (21.1%), Mucor sp (19.7%) and lastly Cladosporium sp (9.8%). Metabolites secreted by the root system act as chemical signal attracting high population of microorganisms. The application of organic manure to the soil enhanced the microbial population of the soil, hence the need to apply organic manure to soil to enhance agricultural sustainably