Successional changes of microbial communities in compost ecosystems

Bacterial and fungal communities are studied in market waste composts in Kampala, Uganda. Initial results based on pyrosequencing of rDNA show that the bacterial community shift significantly along the succession gradient. The number of bacteria genera decreased with composting time. Aquicella and Petrimonas were the most abundant genera from early thermophilic to mesophilic phases and were succeeded by Roseomonas in mature compost.

The initial neutral pH of the compost substrate (Tumuhairwe et al., 2009)  as well as the broad range of nutrient content in the wastes may have favoured high diversity in the bacteria community.

Who is involved: Nils Högberg, John Thumuhairwe, Fred Asiegbu

Contact information: nils.hogberg@mykopat.slu.se