scholarly journals Biological Indicators of Soil Condition on the Kabanyolo Experimental Field, Uganda

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1228
Author(s):  
Anna Ivanova ◽  
Elizaveta Denisova ◽  
Patrick Musinguzi ◽  
Emmanuel Opolot ◽  
John Baptist Tumuhairwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Experimental Field ◽  
Substrate Induced Respiration

Soil biological activity is an integral characteristic reflecting the state of soil fertility, biodiversity, and the activity of soil processes carried out by soil organisms. In Africa, studies of soil biological properties are few compared to the agrochemical research. In this paper, we present an assessment of multiple biochemical and microbiological properties of soil from an agricultural field located in the African tropical savanna. We determined basal respiration, substrate-induced respiration, C of microbial biomass, the potential activity of denitrification, nitrogen fixation activity, and estimated prokaryotic components in the soil microbial complex by quantitative PCR. Basal respiration of soils ranged from 0.77 ± 0.04 to 1.90 ± 0.23 μg C-CO2·g−1·h−1, and substrate-induced respiration ranged from 3.31 ± 0.17 to 7.84 ± 1.04 μg C-CO2·g−1·h−1. The C reserves of microbial biomass averaged 403.7 ± 121.6 μg C·g−1 of soil. The N2O emission from the upper layer on average amounted to 2.79 ng N-N2O·g−1·day−1, and the potential denitrification activity reached 745 ± 98 ng N-N2O·g−1·h−1. The number of copies of bacterial genes varied from (0.19 ± 0.02) × 108 to (3.52 ± 0.8) × 108 copies·g−1, and of archaea—from (0.10 ± 0.01) × 107 to (0.29 ± 0.01) × 107 copies·g−1 of soil. These results were in good agreement with the studies in other seasonally wet tropical regions: the biological activity was relatively low. The difference between biological indicators of the experimental field and the reference profile were insignificant except for nitrogen loss, which was higher in the ploughed field. Biological indicators strongly varied in space; we explained their heterogeneity by non-uniform management practices in the course of agrochemical field experiments in the past. The use of organic fertilisers may cause the release of climatically active gases due to intensive microbial respiration and denitrification, but the intensity of emission would strongly depend on the cultivation and management method.

Impact of weed management practices on soil biological activity in corn and soybean field crops in Québec (Canada)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Émile Samson-Brais ◽  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Matthieu Moingt ◽  
Gilles Tremblay ◽  
Serge Paquet
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soybean Field ◽  
Soil Biological Activity ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Fda Hydrolysis ◽  
Sampling Times

Repeated applications and combination of glyphosate-containing herbicides (GCH) with other herbicides are two weed management practices (WMP) used to compensate for GCH decreasing efficiency impacts in field crops. These practices may have serious impacts on soil functions because GCH affect soil biota and soil biological activity (SBA). Two field experiments, one with corn and one with soybean crops, were conducted during one growing season. SBA indicators, soil respiration (SR) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, were measured at two sampling times following six WMP. These WMP included one or two GCH applications (GCH alone or combined with other herbicides), applications of other herbicides only and mechanical weeding. WMP did not affect FDA neither for corn or soybean at either sampling times. In contrast, WMP affected SR in corn fields at both sampling times and SR in soybean field at the first sampling time. Repeating GCH applications and combining different herbicides led to lower SR, suggesting that these practices decreased SBA, whilst one single GCH application presented higher SR, suggesting that this practice stimulated SBA. Our study demonstrates that using GCH in combination with other herbicides or in multiple applications affects SBA in field conditions. Affecting soil functions and carbon cycle do bear serious weed management implications, and the choice of WMP should be taken into consideration to minimize their impacts on SBA for field crops sustainability.

scholarly journals Soil biological activity under different land-uses in Leyte Philippines

2006 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Carsten Marohn ◽  
Reinhold Jahn ◽  
Joachim Sauerborn
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Metabolic Quotient ◽  
The Other ◽  
Carbon Substrate ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Soil Biological Activity ◽  
Exotic Tree ◽  
Microbial Carbon ◽  
Substrate Induced Respiration

On seven sites in Western Leyte, Philippines, different land-uses, namely reforestation with indigenous tree species (`rainforestation`), reforestation with exotic tree specie Gmelina arborea, and traditional fallow / grassland use were compared with respect to soil biological activity. Analysed parameters were Basal Respiration (BR), microbial carbon (Substrate-Induced Respiration method, SIR) and leaf litter decomposition. Correlations between BR, SIR, metabolic quotient (qCO2), soil organic carbon (Corg) soil N (NT) and pH were assessed. BR and Cmic, SIR as well as the metabolic quotient qCO2 (BR/SIR) proved to be sensitive parameters and the methods gave reproducible values to distinguish sites and land-uses in most cases. However, due to differences among fallow /grassland treatments, a uniform tendency between these and rainforestation was not observed. On the other hand, BR and Cmic SIR were significantly higher under Gmelina than under either of the other land-uses. Correlations between parameters were strongest for BR vs. Corg, and BR vs. pH as well as for Cmic SIR vs. Corg and qCO2 vs. Corg

scholarly journals Early Response of Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity to Biofertilizer Application in Degraded Brunic Arenosol and Abruptic Luvisol of Contrasting Textures

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Anna Walkiewicz ◽  
Małgorzata Brzezińska ◽  
Andrzej Bieganowski ◽  
Lidia Sas-Paszt ◽  
Magdalena Frąc
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Sampling Time ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Silty Soil ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Reduced Dose

We tested agriculturally and chemically degraded Brunic Arenosol and Abruptic Luvisol of contrasting textures to establish the early response of soil quality to two different mineral fertilizers (Polifoska and urea) amended with microbes applied in optimal and reduced doses. The soil samples were collected from two fields under maize: one week (Ist sampling time) and six months (IInd sampling time) after fertilization. The laboratory experiment included determination of: catalase activity, dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass, and basal respiration; pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were also measured. The silty Luvisol was characterized by higher biological activity than the sandy Arenosol. Biofertilizer addition to degraded soils increased the biological activity, even in reduced doses of additives used; however the responses of the tested microbiological indicators were different. Soil texture affected the positive biomass response to biofertilizers which was observed in samples from Ist sampling time in silty soil, while from IInd sampling time in sandy soil. Based on our results, we propose that Polifoska with microorganisms (used in full dose) may be optimal for silty soil. Polifoska (in reduced dose) and urea (both in full and reduced dose) may be recommended for sandy soils. Increasing pH was a stronger driver of soil biological activity than DOC. Long-term field testing is suggested for validating our results.

scholarly journals Microbial activity in soil with onion grown in a no-tillage system with single or intercropped cover crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Souza ◽  
Mónica María Machado Vargas ◽  
Bárbara Santos Ventura ◽  
Vilmar Müller Júnior ◽  
Cláudio Roberto Fonsêca Sousa Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage System ◽  
Fda Hydrolysis

ABSTRACT: Microbial biomass is a driving force in the dynamics of soil organic matter, and microbial activity is an indicator of soil quality in agroecosystems, reflecting changes in management practices and environmental conditions. We evaluated the effect of monoculture and intercropped winter cover crops on soil chemical attributes, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis activity, as well as onion yield in a no-tillage system. Soil is a Typic Humudept, and treatments were control with spontaneous vegetation, barley, rye, oilseed radish (OR), OR + rye, and OR + barley. The soil was sampled (0-10 cm) five times between June and December. There were no differences among treatments for MBC and BR, and the highest values for those attributes occurred in June, when cover plants were in their initial stage. Although, qCO2 was not affected by any treatment, it varied among sampling periods, ranging from 0.62 to 10 µg C-CO2 mg-1 MBC h-1, indicating a low- or no stress environment. Cover crops had little influence on enzyme activity, but FDA was lowered in areas with single crops of barley and rye. Average onion yield in cover crops treatments was 13.01 (Mg ha-1), 30-40% higher than in the control treatment.

Changes in soil quality associated with tillage system applied

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Gajda ◽  
B. Przewłoka ◽  
K. Gawryjołek
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Biological Activity ◽  
Tillage System

Abstract The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in soil quality associated with the tillage system applied with chosen parameters of soil biological properties. The long-term field experiments were located at a private farm in Rogów (Zamooeć region, E Poland) on a silt soil and at the Experimental Station in Laskowice (Wrocław region, S-W Poland) on a sandy loam soil. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 and 15-30 cm layers. Winter wheat was grown under traditional, reduced and no-tillage systems. The analyses included estimations of microbial biomass C and N content, microbial respiration rate, activity of dehydrogenase and arylsulfatase, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis. After eight years the effects of tillage on both soils were clearly noticed. In general, the less disturbing tillage systems enhanced the increase of soil biological activity by 15-40%, on average, than conventional tillage system. The significant correlations between microbial biomass, and/or enzyme activities with total organic C content indicate that concentration of organic C in soil environment plays an extremely important role in enhancing the stabilization and activity of soil microorganisms, and protection of an extracellular enzymes. The studied parameters of soil biological activity showed their sensitivity to tillage applied and may be considered as an useful indicators of soil quality in monitoring all conditions alter soil environment.

scholarly journals Effects of no-tillage management on soil biochemical characteristics in northern China

2009 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. LIU ◽  
B. Q. ZHAO ◽  
X. R. MEI ◽  
H. B. SO ◽  
J. LI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Enzymatic Activities ◽  
Chinese Loess Plateau ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Winter Wheat Yield

SUMMARYField experiments (15 years) were carried out to study the effects of no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) management practices on the soil chemical properties, microbial biomass, soil enzymatic activities and winter wheat yield on a cinnamon soil in Shanxi, on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Compared to CT, NT increased soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen and soil total phosphorus in the 0–100 mm layer by 25, 18 and 7%, respectively. Microbial biomass C and N contents under NT were 41 and 57% greater than under CT on the same layer. In general, higher enzymatic activities were found in the more superficial layers of soil under NT than under CT in the same layer. Winter wheat yield wasc. 20% higher under NT than under CT. These findings have implications for understanding how conservation tillage practices improve soil quality and sustainability in the rainfed dryland farming areas of northern China.

Assessment of sowing dates and plant densities using CSM-CROPGRO-Soybean for soybean maturity groups in low latitude

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
L. S. Sampaio ◽  
R. Battisti ◽  
M. A. Lana ◽  
K. J. Boote
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Crop Model ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Maturity Groups

Abstract Crop models can be used to explain yield variations associated with management practices, environment and genotype. This study aimed to assess the effect of plant densities using CSM-CROPGRO-Soybean for low latitudes. The crop model was calibrated and evaluated using data from field experiments, including plant densities (10, 20, 30 and 40 plants per m2), maturity groups (MG 7.7 and 8.8) and sowing dates (calibration: 06 Jan., 19 Jan., 16 Feb. 2018; and evaluation: 19 Jan. 2019). The model simulated phenology with a bias lower than 2 days for calibration and 7 days for evaluation. Relative root mean square error for the maximum leaf area index varied from 12.2 to 31.3%; while that for grain yield varied between 3 and 32%. The calibrated model was used to simulate different management scenarios across six sites located in the low latitude, considering 33 growing seasons. Simulations showed a higher yield for 40 pl per m2, as expected, but with greater yield gain increments occurring at low plant density going from 10 to 20 pl per m2. In Santarém, Brazil, MG 8.8 sown on 21 Feb. had a median yield of 2658, 3197, 3442 and 3583 kg/ha, respectively, for 10, 20, 30 and 40 pl per m2, resulting in a relative increase of 20, 8 and 4% for each additional 10 pl per m2. Overall, the crop model had adequate performance, indicating a minimum recommended plant density of 20 pl per m2, while sowing dates and maturity groups showed different yield level and pattern across sites in function of the local climate.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Humic Fertilizers Applied at Full and Reduced Nitrogen Rates on Kentucky Bluegrass Quality and Soil Health

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 395
Author(s):  
Alex J. Lindsey ◽  
Adam W. Thoms ◽  
Marshall D. McDaniel ◽  
Nick E. Christians
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Turfgrass Quality ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Soil health and sustainable management practices have garnered much interest within the turfgrass industry. Among the many practices that enhance soil health and sustainability are applying soil additives to enhance soil biological activity and reducing nitrogen (N) inputs—complimentary practices. A two-year study was conducted to investigate if reduced N fertilizer rates applied with humic substances could provide comparable turfgrass quality as full N rates, and whether humic fertilizers would increase biological aspects of soil health (i.e., microbial biomass and activity). Treatments included synthetic fertilizer with black gypsum (SFBG), poly-coated humic-coated urea (PCHCU; two rates), urea + humic dispersing granules (HDG; two rates), urea, stabilized nitrogen, HDG, and a nontreated control. Reduced rates of N with humic substances maintained turfgrass quality and cover, and reduced clipping biomass compared to full N rates. There were no differences in soil physical and chemical properties besides soil sulfur (S) concentration. SFBG resulted in the highest soil S concentration. Fertilizer treatments had minimal effect on microbial biomass and other plant-available nutrients. However, PCHCU (full rate) increased potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC) and N (PMN) by 68% and 59%, respectively, compared to the nontreated control. Meanwhile SFBG and stabilized nitrogen also increased PMC and PMN by 77% and 50%, and 65% and 59%, respectively. Overall, applications of reduced N fertilizer rates with the addition of humic substances could be incorporated into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly turfgrass fertilizer program.

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