Abstract
Nitrogen and organic matter are critical nutrients for plant growth, and both nitrogen fixation and cellulose degradation are processes mediated by microorganisms. These beneficial microorganisms can be isolated from various sources, including cattle manure, which is inherently rich in essential elements required for plant growth and development. In this study, effective microorganisms were isolated using different selective media. The cellulose-degrading capacity of the isolates was assessed by inoculating them on Hutchinson’s media, while nitrogen-fixing microorganisms were studied by plating them on Ashby media. The toxicity of cattle manure was evaluated using the germination index to ensure safety for plant growth. We successfully isolated twenty nitrogen-fixing, cellulose-degrading, and non-pathogenic effective microorganisms from cattle manure. The isolated beneficial microorganisms were shown to be non-pathogenic for humans, and cattle manure was tested for plant toxicity. These isolates can potentially be enriched and reintroduced into manure to enhance its nutritional value. The findings suggest that these effective microorganisms, which possess both nitrogen-fixing and cellulose-degrading properties, could significantly improve the efficiency of cattle manure composting and the quality of the resulting compost. This study highlights the potential for these microorganisms to be utilized in sustainable agricultural practices to bolster soil health and crop productivity.