Effect of Swine Wastewater Treatment on Fungal Population and Physicochemical Characteristics of Soil

The application of swine wastewater to soil significantly impacts soil fungal communities and physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effects of varying swine wastewater concentrations on soil fungi and physicochemical characteristics. Soil samples were treated with different concentrations of swine wastewater were analyzed for fungal counts and physicochemical parameters, for 21 days at 7 days intervals. The results showed that treatments with swine wastewater had significantly higher fungal counts than the control, with the highest means found in Soil + 100ml SWW (5.0 × 103 CFU/g). Time points also showed significant differences, with Day 14 having the highest mean fungal count (5.4 × 103 CFU/g). Fungal genera isolated included Trichophyton sp, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp, Trichoderma sp, Cladosporium sp, Penicillium sp, Mucor sp, and Candida sp. The pH reached its lowest value (6.09) in the Soil + 100ml SWW treatment on Day 21, while the highest (7.35) was recorded in the Soil + 40ml SWW treatment on Day 7. Temperature was highest at 28.7°C in the Soil + 20ml SWW treatment on Day 7 and lowest at 25.2°C in the control treatment on Day 14. Moisture content remained lowest in control treatment, whereas the highest values were observed in the Soil + 40ml SWW treatment on Days 7 and 14, and in the Soil + 100ml SWW treatment on Day 21. Organic matter declined significantly, reaching its lowest level (0.35%) in the Soil + 40ml SWW treatment on Day 21. Nitrogen content was consistently highest in control treatment, while the Soil + 40ml SWW treatment had the lowest values throughout. The carbon-nitrogen ratio fluctuated considerably, peaking at 3.38 in the Soil + 40ml SWW treatment on Day 7 and dropping to 0.18 in the control treatment on Day 21. In conclusion, Swine wastewater applications altered soil fungal communities and physicochemical properties, increasing fungal counts and affecting pH, moisture, organic matter, and nitrogen levels. These changes highlight both benefits and environmental implications for soil management. This highlights the need for careful management and treatment of swine wastewater to prevent potential environmental risks.