Denitrification losses from an irrigated sandy-clay loam under a wheat-maize cropping system receiving different fertilizer treatments

Studies were conducted on denitrification in the plough layer of an irrigated sandy-clay loam under a wheat-maize cropping system receiving different fertilizer treatments. The treatments were: N-100 (urea-N at 100kgha^–1year^–1), N-200 (urea-N at 200kgha^–1year^–1), FYM-16 (farmyard manure at 16 tonnes ha^–1year^–1), FYM-32 (farmyard manure at 32 tonnesha^–1year^–1) and the control (unfertilized). Averaged across sampling dates during the wheat season, the denitrification rate as measured by the C₂H₂-inhibition/soil-core incubation method was highest in N-200 (83gNha^–1day^–1), followed by FYM-32 (60gNha^–1day^–1, N-100 (51gNha^–1day^–1), FYM-16 (47gNha^–1day^–1) and the control (33gNha^–1 day^–1). During the maize growing season, average denitrification rate was highest in FYM-32 (525gNha^–1day^–1), followed by FYM-16 (408gNha^–1day^–1), N-200 (372gNha^–1day^–1, N-100 (262gNha^–1day^–1) and the control (203gNha^–1day^–1). Denitrification loss integrated over the whole vegetation period was at a maximum under FYM-32 (13.9kgNha^–1), followed by N-200 (11.8kgNha^–1), FYM-16 (10.6kgNha^–1) and N-100 (8.0kgNha^–1), whereas the minimum was observed for the control (5.8kgNha^–1). Under both crops, denitrification was significantly correlated with water-filled pore space and soil NO₃ ^–-N. The best multiple regression models accounted for 52% and 70% of the variability in denitrification under wheat and maize, respectively. Results indicated that denitrification is not an important N loss mechanism in this well-drained, irrigated sandy-clay loam under a wheat-maize cropping system receiving fertilizer inputs in the range of 100–200kgNha^–1year^–1. Received: 14 January 1997     

Seasonal responses in microbial biomass carbon, phosphorus and sulphur in soils under pasture

The response of the soil microbial biomass to seasonal changes was investigated in the field under pastures. These studies showed that over a 9-month period, microbial biomass carbon, phosphorus and sulphur (biomass C, P, S), and their ratios (C:P, C:S, and P:S) responded differently to changes in soil moisture and to the input of fresh organic materials. From October to December (1993), when plant residues were largely incorporated into the soils, biomass C and S increased by 150–210%. Biomass P did not increase over this time, having decreased by 22–64% over the dry summer (July to September). There was no obvious correlation between biomass C, P, and S and air temperature. The largest amounts of biomass C and P (2100–2300μg and 150–190μgg^–1 soil, respectively) were found in those soils receiving farmyard manure (FYM or FYM+NPK) and P fertilizer, whereas the use of ammonium sulphate decreased biomass C and P. The C:P, C:S, and P:S ratios of the biomass varied considerably (9–276:1; 50–149:1; and 0.3–14:1, respectively) with season and fertilizer regime. This reflected the potential for the biomass to release (when ratios were narrow) or to immobilize (wide ratios) P and S at different times of the year. Thus, seasonal responses in biomass C, P, and S are important in controlling the cycling of C, P, and S in pasture and ultimately in regulating plant availability of P and S. The uptake of P in the pasture was well correlated with the sum of P in the biomass and soil available pools. Thus, the simultaneous measurement of microbial biomass P and available P provide useful information on the potential plant availability of P. Received: 25 May 1996     

Impact of mineral and organic fertilization on yield,C content in the soil,as well as on C,N and energy balances in a long-term field experiment

Data from a 49-year-long organic–mineral fertilization field experiment with a potato–maize–maize–wheat–wheat crop rotation were used to analyse the impact of different fertilizer variations on yield ability, soil organic carbon content (SOC), N and C balances, as well as on some characteristic energy balance parameters. Among the treatments, the fertilization variant with 87 kg ha^?1 year^?1 N proved to be economically optimal (94% of the maximum). Approximately 40 years after initiation of the experiment, supposed steady-state SOC content has been reached, with a value of 0.81% in the upper soil layer of the unfertilized control plot. Farmyard manure (FYM) treatments resulted in 10% higher SOC content compared with equivalent NPK fertilizer doses. The best C balances were obtained with exclusive mineral fertilization variants (?3.8 and ?3.7 t ha^?1 year^?1, respectively). N uptake in the unfertilized control plot suggested an airborne N input of 48 kg ha^?1 year^?1. The optimum fertilizer variant (70 t ha^?1 FYM-equivalent NPK) proved favourable with a view to energy. The energy gain by exclusive FYM treatments was lower than with sole NPK fertilization. Best energy intensity values were obtained with lower mineral fertilization and FYM variants. The order of energy conversion according to the different crops was maize, wheat and potato.     

Fractions of Copper in Soil under a Long-Term Experiment and Their Contribution to Copper Availability and Uptake by Maize—Wheat Cropping Sequence

ABSTRACT

Soil and plant samples were collected from on-going long-term experiment at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi farm to study the distribution of various forms of copper (Cu) and their contribution to availability and plant uptake in maize (Zea mays L.)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sequence. The optimum dose-based treatments selected for the study were nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK), NPK + Farmyard manure (FYM), NPK+ zinc (Zn) and control (no fertilizer or manure). Uptake of Cu by maize and wheat varied from 17.0 to 37.5 and 60.8 to 149.3 g ha^?1, respectively, under different treatments. Copper uptake by wheat was significantly higher under 100% NPK + FYM than that with 100% NPK. There was no significant difference among the treatments with respect to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cu in 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm soil layers. However, with increasing depth of soil, it showed declining trend under all the treatments. Mean value of total Cu was 28, 32, 25, and 21 mg kg^?1 in 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm depths, respectively. Major part of the total Cu was present as residual form. Sorbed copper (SORB–Cu) contributed directly towards its availability both in pre-sowing maize and post-harvest wheat soil samples. SORB–Cu and organic matter bound Cu (OM–Cu) contributed directly towards the uptake by the component crops. Copper associated with easily reducible manganese, carbonate, and iron and aluminum oxides were most recalcitrant forms present in soil and their effects on availability and crop uptake were adverse.     

Effect of long-term fertilizers and manure application on microbial biomass and microbial activity of a tropical agricultural soil

We investigated some aspects of soil quality and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) of bacteria in soil under a long-term (37 years) trial with either exclusive inorganic fertilizers or fertilizers combined with farmyard manure cultivated with jute–rice–wheat system. The treatments consisted of 100% recommended dose (RD) of NPK, 150% RD of NPK, 100% RD of N, 100% RD of NPK + FYM (10 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), and untreated control. Long-term application of 150% RD of NPK lowered the soil pH considerably while the soils in the other treatments remained near neutral. The 100% RD of NPK + FYM treated plot showed significantly highest accumulation of organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, basal soil respiration, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolyzing activity among the treatments. CLPP analysis in Biolog Ecoplates revealed that utilization of carbohydrates was enhanced in all input treated regimes, while the same for polymers, carboxylic acids, amino acids, and amines/amides were similar or less than the untreated control. However, within these groups of carbon sources, heterogeneity of individual substrate utilization between treatments was also noted. Taken together, addition of organic supplements showed significantly increased microbial biomass carbon and microbial activity, but input of nutrient supplements, both inorganic and organic, only marginally affected the overall substrate utilization pattern of soil microorganisms.     

Effects of traditional and biodynamic farmyard manure amendment on yields,soil chemical,biochemical and biological properties in a long-term field experiment

We studied the effects of applications of traditionally composted farmyard manure (FYM) and two types of biodynamically composted FYM over 9 years on soil chemical properties, microbial biomass and respiration, dehydrogenase and saccharase activities, decomposition rates and root production under grass-clover, activity and biomass of earthworms under wheat, and yields in a grass-clover, potatoes, winter wheat, field beans, spring wheat, winter rye crop rotation. The experiment was conducted near Bonn, on a Fluvisol using a randomised complete block design (n=6). Our results showed that plots which received either prepared or non-prepared FYM (30 Mg ha^–1 year^–1) had significantly increased soil pH, P and K concentrations, microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, decomposition (cotton strips), earthworm cast production and altered earthworm community composition than plots without FYM application. Application of FYM did not affect the soil C/N ratio, root length density, saccharase activity, microbial basal respiration, metabolic quotient and crop yields. The biodynamic preparation of FYM with fermented residues of six plant species (6 g Mg^–1 FYM) significantly decreased soil microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient compared to non-prepared FYM or FYM prepared with only Achillea. The biodynamic preparation did not affect soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity and decomposition during 62 days. However, after 100 days, decomposition was significantly faster in plots which received completely prepared FYM than in plots which received no FYM, FYM without preparations or FYM with the Achillea preparation. Furthermore, the application of completely prepared FYM led to significantly higher biomass and abundance of endogeic or anecic earthworms than in plots where non-prepared FYM was applied.     

Long-term yield trend and sustainability of rainfed soybean–wheat system through farmyard manure application in a sandy loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

A long-term (30 years) soybean–wheat experiment was conducted at Hawalbagh, Almora, India to study the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on grain yield trends of rainfed soybean (Glycine max)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system and nutrient status (soil C, N, P and K) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplaquept). The unfertilized plot supported 0.56 Mg ha⁻¹ of soybean yield and 0.71 Mg ha⁻¹ of wheat yield (average yield of 30 years). Soybean responded to inorganic NPK application and the yield increased significantly to 0.87 Mg ha⁻¹ with NPK. Maximum yields of soybean (2.84 Mg ha⁻¹) and residual wheat (1.88 Mg ha⁻¹) were obtained in the plots under NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) treatment, which were significantly higher than yields observed under other treatments. Soybean yields in the plots under the unfertilized and the inorganic fertilizer treatments decreased with time, whereas yields increased significantly in the plots under N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments. At the end of 30 years, total soil organic C (SOC) and total N concentrations increased in all the treatments. Soils under NPK + FYM-treated plots contained higher SOC and total N by 89 and 58% in the 0–45 cm soil layer, respectively, over that of the initial status. Hence, the decline in yields might be due to decline in available P and K status of soil. Combined use of NPK and FYM increased SOC, oxidizable SOC, total N, total P, Olsen P, and ammonium acetate exchangeable K by 37.8, 42.0, 20.8, 30.2, 25.0, and 52.7%, respectively, at 0–45 cm soil layer compared to application of NPK through inorganic fertilizers. However, the soil profiles under all the treatments had a net loss of nonexchangeable K, ranging from 172 kg ha⁻¹ under treatment NK to a maximum of 960 kg ha⁻¹ under NPK + FYM after 30 years of cropping. Depletion of available P and K might have contributed to the soybean yield decline in treatments where manure was not applied. The study also showed that although the combined NPK and FYM application sustained long-term productivity of the soybean–wheat system, increased K input is required to maintain soil nonexchangeable K level.     

Dicyandiamide increases the fertilizer N loss from an alkaline calcareous soil treated with <Superscript>15</Superscript>N-labelled urea under warm climate and under different crops

Using an alkaline calcareous soil, experiments were conducted to elucidate the effects of nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on the fate of ¹⁵N-labelled urea applied to cotton, maize, and wheat under greenhouse conditions. Combined effects of DCD and two levels of wheat straw (applied to cotton) and of fertilizer application method (conventional broadcast vs. point injection in maize and wheat) on the recovery of the fertilizer N were also studied. High soil temperatures prevailed under cotton and maize, whereas the soil temperature was relatively moderate during the wheat growing season. The fertilizer N loss under cotton was lowest (44% of the applied) when urea was applied alone; the loss increased due to DCD (54%) or wheat straw (50–54%) and was highest (63–64%) when DCD and wheat straw were applied together. Under maize also, DCD increased the loss of the fertilizer N applied by the conventional method (51% without DCD vs. 66% with DCD) or by point injection (26% without DCD vs. 42% with DCD). With the conventional method under wheat, DCD had no effect on the fertilizer N loss (34–37% of the applied). The fertilizer N loss under wheat was least (16%) when urea solution was point-injected but increased (24–26%) due to DCD or/and when pH of the urea solution was reduced to 2. Besides, DCD significantly reduced the fertilizer N uptake and increased the fertilizer N immobilization in soil under cotton and maize. However, DCD applied in combination with a higher level of wheat straw significantly increased the cotton dry matter and N yields due to increased N availability from sources other than the fertilizer. The results suggested that the use of DCD may not be beneficial in alkaline calcareous soils and that point injection of urea solution without any amendment is more effective in conserving the fertilizer N as compared to the conventional broadcast method.     

Long-term effects of farmyard manure and sewage sludge on some soil biochemical characteristics

 Changes in some soil biochemical properties were investigated following repeated applications of aerobically digested sewage sludge (SS) under field conditions over 12 years, and compared with those of an adjacent soil cultivated and amended with 5 t ha^–1 year^–1 (dry weight) farmyard manure (FYM) for at least 40 years, as well as with those of an adjacent uncultivated soil, in order to ascertain changes in soil quality. A short-term aerobic incubation was used to determine the potential of the samples to mineralize the organic C supplied. Results indicated that cultivation caused a reduction in total, humified and potentially mineralizable organic C, total N, light-fraction (LF) C, total and water-soluble carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), microbial biomass C, specific respiration, hydrolytic and urease activities, and an increase in the heavy metal content. Total and water-soluble carbohydrates and phenolic compounds expressed as a percentage of total organic C (TOC) were similar in the differently managed plots. Of the two amendments, FYM treatments showed higher amounts of TOC and N, LF-C, total and water-soluble carbohydrates, phenolic substances, CEC, specific respiration of biomass, hydrolytic and urease activities, similar amounts and characteristics of humified organic matter and lower concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cr. Both FYM and SS were inadequate treatments for the restoration of soil organic matter lost as a consequence of cultivation. Received: 20 October 1998     

Effect of short-term supply of farmyard manure on maize growth and soil parameters in pot culture

Farmyard manure (FYM) improves various soil parameters and to a large extent, the availability of water and nutrient to crops when it is applied to the soil. This study aims to further investigate the short-term effects of different levels of FYM on maize plants and soil parameters. Maize plants grown in pot culture were treated with no FYM (control), recommended NPK (inorganic fertilizers), and FYM at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 t ha^?1 along with recommended NPK, and the cultures were analyzed 8 weeks after germination. Soil bulk density and soil pH decreased with the increasing levels of FYM, whereas soil porosity, soil organic matter (SOM), soil water content, plant height, root and shoot yield, and NPK uptake of maize were increased compared with the control or recommended NPK, respectively. The present results indicate that short-term application of higher FYM levels improves soil properties. Furthermore, the application of FYM at only higher rates significantly increases the nutrient uptake of maize plants due to improved soil properties. The supply of different amounts of nutrients increases biomass and nutrient uptake in plants.     

Effects of crop growth and soil treatments on microbial C,N, and P in dry tropical arable land

We studied the dynamics of microbial C, N, and P in soil cropped with rice (Oryza sativa) and lentils (Lens culinaris) in a dryland farming system. The crop biomass and grain yield were also studied. The microbial biomass and its N and P contents were larger under the lentil than under the rice crop. Microbial nutrients decreased as the crops grew and then increased again. Farmyard manure and NPK fertilizer applications increased the level of microbial nutrients, crop biomass, and grain yield by 35–80%, 55–85%, and 74–86%, respectively. However, these applications had no significant effect on most of the soil physicochemical properties in the short term. The microbial biomass was correlated with the crop biomass and grain yield. The calculated flux of N and P through the microbial biomass ranged from 30–45 and 10–19 kg ha^-1 year^-1, respectively. Cultivation of a cereal crop followed by a leguminous crop sustains higher levels of microbial nutrients and hence greater fertility in impoverished tropical arable soils. The soil microbial biomass appears to contribute significantly to crop productivity by releasing nutrients, and applications of manure, either alone or with fertilizers, promote this effect more strongly than the application of NPK fertilizers alone.     

Integrated use of organic and inorganic inputs in wheat-fodder maize cropping sequence to improve crop yields and soil properties

A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two organics, farmyard manure and vermicompost, each at three rates (0, 5, 10 t ha^?1 and 0, 1, 2 t ha^?1, respectively), along with two levels of mineral fertilizer (75% and 100% of recommended dose), on crops yields and soil properties under a wheat–fodder maize cropping sequence. Individual addition of organics at a higher level increased yields of wheat and subsequent maize. Soil microbial biomass carbon was enhanced as both a direct and residual effect with the addition of farmyard manure followed by vermicompost and fertilizer treatments, and also by combined addition of manure with either vermicompost or mineral fertilizer. Farmyard manure increased the availability of soil macro- and micronutrients, whereas vermicompost influenced only the availability of micronutrients at wheat harvest. A residual effect of farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers was found for available N. Meanwhile, the residual status of micronutrients in the soil was either maintained or significantly improved due to organic amendments (Mn and Zn with farmyard manure; Fe and Zn with vermicompost). Interaction of farmyard manure and vermicompost at a higher level benefited the next crop by increasing the yield of fodder maize and improving the availability of P and metals in soil.     

添加秸秆碳源对土壤微生物生物量和原生动物丰富度的影响

为了研究引入秸秆碳源对根结线虫(Meloidogyne spp.)病害严重土壤中微生物生物量和原生动物的影响, 以番茄为供试作物, 设置4个梯度的小麦秸秆添加量[CK(0 g·kg^-1), 1N(2.08 g·kg^-1)、2N(4.16 g·kg^-1)和4N(8.32 g·kg^-1)], 研究不同种植时间(6个月和4个月)下土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和原生动物丰度的变化。研究结果表明: 添加秸秆对微生物生物量碳、氮和原生动物丰富度有明显促进作用, 添加的秸秆量越多, 这种促进作用越明显。不同秸秆添加量处理中, 微生物生物量碳、氮和原生动物丰度为: 4N>2N>1N>CK。秸秆对原生动物的群落结构也有显著影响, 在各处理中, 鞭毛虫和肉足虫占有绝大比例, 分别占总丰度的29.44%和66.19%, 纤毛虫仅占4.37%。在相同添加秸秆量条件下, 土壤原生动物丰度随种植时间的延长而提高, 而微生物生物量碳、氮量随种植时间的延长而降低。而在种植时间相同条件下, 随着秸秆量的增加土壤微生物生物量碳、氮量和微生物生物量碳氮比和原生动物总丰度相应增加。     

Influence of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments on soil organic matter and soil microbial properties under tropical conditions

 Soil organic matter level, mineralizable C and N, microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase, urease and alkaline phosphatase activities were studied in soils from a field experiment under a pearl millet-wheat cropping sequence receiving inorganic fertilizers and a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments for the last 11 years. The amounts of soil organic matter and mineralizable C and N increased with the application of inorganic fertilizers. However, there were greater increases of these parameters when farmyard manure, wheat straw or Sesbania bispinosa green manure was applied along with inorganic fertilizers. Microbial biomass C increased from 147 mg kg^–1 soil in unfertilized soil to 423 mg kg^–1 soil in soil amended with wheat straw and inorganic fertilizers. The urease and alkaline phosphatase activities of soils increased significantly with a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments. The results indicate that soil organic matter level and soil microbial activities, vital for the nutrient turnover and long-term productivity of the soil, are enhanced by use of organic amendments along with inorganic fertilizers. Received: 6 May 1998     

Influence of application of rice straw, farmyard manure, and municipal biowastes on nitrogen fixation, soil microbial biomass N, and mineral N in a model paddy microcosm

Effects of application of rice straw (RS), farmyard manure (FYM), municipal biowaste compost (MBCom), and municipal biowaste charcoal (MBCha) on soil microbial biomass N, mineral N, and nitrogen-fixing activity (NFA) of a model paddy microcosm were examined in comparison with urea fertilizer. When microcosms were added with urea, NFA decreased with increasing rates of fertilization, and it was negligible (less than 4% of the control, no urea fertilization) in the soils treated with more than 60 mg kg⁻¹ urea–N. The addition of RS, with the highest C/N ratio among the organic wastes used, stimulated N₂ fixation most effectively (40% increase compared to the control). MBCom, with the lowest C/N ratio and a comparable mineral N content to 60 mg kg⁻¹ urea–N, decreased N₂ fixation (50% decrease), but it was not markedly suppressed unlike urea. In spite of the fact that FYM contained a relatively large N, expressed as low C/N ratio, its effect on N₂ fixation was small (14% decrease). FYM and MBCom did not stimulate NFA as RS did. This may be explained by the fact that N concentrations of microbial biomass N and available N were higher in the soils than in soil treated with RS. The effect of MBCha addition on N₂ fixation was small (14% decrease). The present study demonstrated that organic wastes might affect N₂ fixation depending upon the amount of available N in the waste-treated soils, but that organic-waste-treated soils generally support higher N₂ fixation than chemical-fertilizer-treated soils.     

Urease activity and its relation to soil organic matter, microbial biomass nitrogen and urea-nitrogen assimilation by maize in a Brazilian Oxisol under no-tillage and tillage systems

 We studied the relationship between urease activity (UA) and soil organic matter (SOM), microbial biomass N (N_biom) content, and urea-N fertilizer assimilation by maize in a Dark Red Latosol (Typic Haplustox) cultivated for 9 years under no-tillage (NT), tillage with a disc plough (DP), and tillage with a moldboard plough (MP). Two soil depths were sampled (0–7.5 cm and 7.5–15 cm) at 4 different times during the crop cycle. Urea was applied at four different rates, ranging from 0 to 240 kg N ha^–1. The levels of fertilizer N did not affect the UA, SOM content, and N_biom content. No significant difference between the treatments (NT, DP, and MP) was observed for SOM during the experiment, probably because the major part of the SOM was in recalcitrant pools, since the area was previously cultivated (conventional tillage) for 20 years. The N_biom content explained 97% and 69% of the variation in UA in the upper and deeper soil layer, respectively. UA and biomass N were significantly higher in the NT system compared to the DP and MP systems. The highest maize productivity and urea-N recovery was also observed for the NT system. We observed that the increase in urea-N losses under NT, possibly as a consequence of a higher UA, was compensated for by the increase in N immobilized in the biomass. Received: 2 July 1999     

Changing role of cultivated land in the global carbon cycle

 The carbon balance is ill defined for agricultural lands so that their role in global C balance cannot be accurately estimated. Changes in agriculture in the last 50 years have resulted in a general increase in grain yields, total net annual production (TNAP), and C input to the soil. Amounts of C returned annually with crop residues on Sanborn Field, one of the oldest experimental fields in the United States, increased after 1950, and this was accompanied by C accumulation in soils. Under wheat monocrop (with mineral fertilizer), C accumulated at a rate of 50 g m^–2 year^–1. A 3-year rotation (corn/wheat/clover) with manure and nitrogen applications sequestered 150 g m^–2 year^–1 of C. Total C balance for the wheat and corn production area in the United States, approximated on the basis of these rates, indicates that at least 32 Tg C was sequestered annually during the last 40–50 years. Received: 1 December 1997     

Organic matter, microbial biomass and enzyme activity of soils under different crop rotations in the tropics

Soil organic matter level, soil microbial biomass C, ninhydrin-N, C mineralization, and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity were studied in soils under different crop rotations for 6 years. Inclusion of a green manure crop of Sesbania aculeata in the rotation improved soil organic matter status and led to an increase in soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme activity and soil respiratory activity. Microbial biomass C increased from 192 mg kg^–1 soil in a pearl millet-wheat-fallow rotation to 256 mg kg^–1 soil in a pearl millet-wheat-green manure rotation. Inclusion of an oilseed crop such as sunflower or mustard led to a decrease in soil microbial biomass, C mineralization and soil enzyme activity. There was a good correlation between microbial biomass C, ninhydrin-N and dehydrogenase activity. The alkaline phosphatase activity of the soil under different crop rotations was little affected. The results indicate the green manuring improved the organic matter status of the soil and soil microbial activity vital for the nutrient turnover and long-term productivity of the soil. Received: 7 January 1996     

Influence of continuous application of inorganic nutrients to a Maize–Wheat rotation on soil enzyme activity and grain quality in a rainfed Indian soil

To explore long-term impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil health and grain quality, we monitored the enzyme activities and chemical properties of soil; and chemical composition of grain from eight treatments at an experimental field site established in 1996. There were eight treatments applied to both wheat and maize seasons: a control; four inorganic fertilizers, that is, nitrogen and phosphorus (NP), nitrogen and potassium (NK), phosphorous and potassium (PK) and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); farm yard manure alone (FYM) and addition of FYM at two different doses (100 and 50% of recommendation) to NPK that is, NPK + FYM and ½ NPK + FYM. After 11 years of the experiment the NPK + FYM and ½ NPK + FYM treatments had the highest yields, about 5 Mg maize ha⁻¹ and 2 Mg wheat ha⁻¹ with about 2 and 0.5 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively more than the NPK treatments. The dehydrogeanse activity of soils increased significantly in FYM and ½ NPK + FYM. Except urease all other enzymatic activities were increased in those treatments, which received manure. Urease activity was higher in mineral-N applied plots. Grain protein content of both maize and wheat was highest in mineral fertilized plots. Test weight also increased significantly on application of mineral fertilizer. Plots treated with half dose of recommended mineral fertilizer along with FYM were higher in urease, phosphomono and diesterase activities than that of NPK + FYM treated plots. Long-term application of inorganic nutrients along with FYM improved grain mineral composition and yield. Inhibition of few enzymatic activities were also observed upon application of inorganic nutrients either alone or in combination.     

Soil microbial biomass and activities in a Japanese Andisol as affected by controlled release and application depth of urea

This experiment was conducted in maize field plots to study the effects of controlled release and application depth of urea on soil microbial biomass and activities at two depths of surface soil of a Japanese Andisol from June to September, 2001. Three N amendment treatments and a Control were included in this experiment: deep application (8 cm) of controlled release urea; deep application (8 cm) of conventional urea; surface application of conventional urea; Control, without N application. Prior to this experiment, the field plots received the same N fertilizer treatments for two consecutive years under maize/barley rotation. Soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase and nitrification activities exhibited great vertical and temporal variations during the maize growth season, and the microbial biomass was significantly correlated to soil water-filled pore space (p<0.01). N fertilization did not significantly affect the microbial biomass, but greatly increased the dehydrogenase and nitrification activities. The increase in the microbial activities following N fertilization was not attributed to the increase in microbial biomass but to the increase in intrinsic microbial activities. Controlled release urea was found to continuously affect the dehydrogenase activity over a shorter distance, while conventional urea could greatly increase the enzyme activity for a shorter period of time. Both controlled release and deep application of urea had potentials to reduce the nitrification activity and suggested that the nitrate production might be decreased in 0–10 cm surface soil. Deep application of urea increased aboveground N uptake by maize and then the recovery rate of N fertilizer, whereas controlled release of urea greatly increased grain yield and N uptake by grain.