Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to soil chemical properties and heavy metal contamination.

Abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with dominant plant species were studied along a transect from highly lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) polluted to non-polluted soil at the Anguran open pit mine in Iran. Using an established primer set for AMF in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, nine different AMF sequence types were distinguished after phylogenetic analyses, showing remarkable differences in their distribution patterns along the transect. With decreasing Pb and Zn concentration, the number of AMF sequence types increased, however one sequence type was only found in the highly contaminated area.

Effects of temperature treatment on corn cob composting and reducing of composting time: a comparative study.

This study focuses on the effect of temperature on the compost quality and the processing time. Two temperature, namely 46°C (high temperature) and 30°C (low temperature) were considered for the composting trials. A mixture of 60% ground corn cob, 30% dried sports grass and 10% bio-activator was used as composting material.