Soil microbiological and biochemical effects of long-term atrazine applications

Since 1958, experimental plots in an orchard of dwarf apple trees have been kept free from direct vegetative cover either by mowing or by the application of atrazine at an annual rate of 4 kg/ha. Comparative studies show that the atrazine treatments induced significant changes in the microbial population. Although the total numbers of bacteria and fungi were not altered, the anaerobic bacteria, sporeformers and cellulolytic microorganisms were permanently reduced, and the nitrifying, amylolytic and denitrifying microbial groups were temporarily reduced by atrazine. However, the herbicide enhanced numbers of ammonifying and proteolytic organisms temporarily and increased the number of Azotobacter permanently. As a result of the long-term elimination of the direct vegetative cover and the concomitant loss of organic matter in the atrazine-treated soil, the phosphatase, saccharase, β-glucosidase and urease activities of this soil were reduced by 50 per cent or more.     

Short-term effects of tillage on mineralization of nitrogen and carbon in soil

Tillage is known to decrease soil organic nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) pools with negative consequences for soil quality. This decrease is thought partly to be caused by exposure of protected organic matter to microbial degradation by the disturbance of soil structure. Little is known, however, about the short-term effects of tillage on mineralization of N and C, and microbial activity. We studied the short-term effects of two types of tillage (conventional plough- and a non-inverting-tillage) on mineralization and microbial N and C pools in a sandy loam under organic plough-tillage management. The release of active and protected (inactive) N by tillage was further studied in the laboratory by use of ¹⁵N labelling of the active pool of soil N followed by simulation of tillage by sieving through a 2 mm sieve. Results showed that the two types of tillage as well as the simulation of tillage had very few effects on mineralization and microbial pools. The simulation of tillage caused, however, a small release of N from a pool which was otherwise protected against microbial degradation. The use of soil crushing for disruption of larger macroaggregates (>425 μm) and chloroform fumigation for perturbation of the microbial biomass increased the release from both active and protected N pools. The relative contribution from the protected N pool was, however, similar in the three treatments (22-27%), thus the pools subjected to mineralization were characterised by similar degree of protection. On the basis of isotopic composition the pools of N mineralised were indistinguishable. This suggests that the released N originated from the same pool, that is the soil microbial biomass. The study points to the microbial pool as the main source of labile N which may be released by tillage, and thus to its importance for sustained soil fertility in agricultural systems.     

Short-term effects of soil amendment with meadowfoam seed meal on soil microbial composition and function

Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartw. ex Benth) seed meal (MSM), a by-product of meadowfoam oil extraction, has a secondary metabolite known as glucosinolate glucolimnanthin. MSM applied as a soil amendment has been reported to have herbicidal and fertilizer properties. Experiments were conducted over 28 days to evaluate short-term effects of a MSM application on soil microbial communities. MSM was applied to soil as either a full or a split application. In addition to MSM and untreated control treatments, urea was used as a N source to account for the fertilizer effect of the seed meal. Urea was applied either as a full or a split rate on the same schedule as MSM. Soil microbial activities were not different between the full and the split rate applications of MSM. After day 7 following MSM application, carbon-source utilization of microbial communities of MSM was different from the urea and control treatments. Microbial communities in MSM treatments utilized complex carbon sources to a relatively greater degree than microbial communities in urea or control treatments. The C and N inputs from MSM increased the gross metabolic activity of the mixed microbial population. Basal respiration was stimulated and microbes reallocated carbon input to biomass and enzyme production. Within 7 and 14 days after MSM application, the reallocation occurred quickly and microbial biomass increased by at least 80% for C and 95% for N compared to the untreated control. In the short-term, MSM treatments affected nutrient dynamics, and the soil microbial structure and function. The effects of MSM application on the composition of bacterial and fungal communities warrant additional study.     

Short-term biochar effect on soil physicochemical and microbiological properties of a degraded alpine grassland

Soil remediation is an important part of the restoration process of degraded terrestrial ecosystems. Due to its unique properties, biochar is being used widely as an effective soil modifier in agricultural systems, but research is still rare on biochar application in grassland ecosystems, especially in degraded alpine grasslands. In this study, we conducted a plot experiment to investigate the effect of biochar application on soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms at the 0–20 cm soil depth of a degraded alpine grassland in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The experiment consisted of four corn straw biochar application levels (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%, with the percentage representing the ratio of biochar weight to the dry weight of soil in the surface 20 cm soil layer). When the biochar addition increased from 0% to 2%, total nitrogen, total organic carbon and available phosphorus in the 0–10 cm soil layer increased by 41%, 55% and 45%, respectively, in the second year after biochar addition. Meanwhile, soil electrical conductivity decreased, and soil water content increased. Total microbial, fungal and bacterial biomasses in the 0–10 cm soil layer increased from 9.15 to 12.68, 0.91 to 1.34, and 3.85 to 4.55 μg g^-1, respectively. The relative biomasses of saprophytic fungi and methanotrophic bacteria decreased, while the relative biomasses of ectomycorrhizal fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased. These results indicate that biochar has a great potential in improving microbial activity and soil fertility in soil remediation of the degraded alpine grassland.     

Soil amendment with seed meals: Short term effects on soil respiration and biochemical properties

In the last decades, worldwide biofuel production increased up to 105 billion liters in 2010; in this year, the world's first biodiesel producer was the European Union. Biodiesel is produced from a variety of oils, mainly soybean, Brassicaceae and sunflower. One of the most important biodiesel production byproducts are seed meals. The most common use of seed meals is for animal nutrition, but another potential use is agricultural soil organic amendments. Soil biological and biochemical properties have been widely used as soil quality indicators, due to their quick response to changes in soil management. Although there are many studies on the effects of regular amendments on respiration and enzymatic activities of the soil, very few papers refer to the effect of seed meals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of seed meal amendment on soil respiration and enzymatic activities (alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, arylsulphatase and β-glucosidase). The two seed meals used were obtained from Brassica carinata (A.) Braun (Ethiopian mustard) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The study was carried out, from June 2007 to October 2007, at an experimental farm of CRA-ORT, Battipaglia, in the Sele River (Plain Salerno, Campania Region, Italy). The results of this study support an alternative use of seed meals as organic amendments. Generally, a significant positive response of enzymatic activities, evaluated in this study, to the addition of seed meals, indicates a beneficial effect on soil quality as regards microbial activity.     

Short-term effect of wildfire on the chemical, biochemical and microbiological properties of Mediterranean pine forest soils

The short-term effects of wildfire on the characteristics of Mediterranean pine forest soils, exposed to semiarid climatic conditions, were evaluated by measuring different chemical, biochemical and microbiological parameters 9 months after the fire. Soils in which the fire had been intense showed higher electrical conductivity values than unburnt soils. All burnt soils had higher contents of nitrates, exchangeable NH₄ ⁺ and available P and K while their contents of total organic C, extractable C, humic acids, water-soluble C and total and water-soluble carbohydrates were, in general, lower than those of unburnt soils. Microbial biomass-C in burnt soils represented from 50% to 79% of that of unburnt soils; basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity were also negatively affected by fire. In general, fire decreased urease and N-α-benzoyl-l-argininamide hydrolysing protease activities. Alkaline phosphatase activity in burnt soils was 29–87% that of the respective unburnt control soil. Arylsulphatase activity was also lower in burnt soils as was β-glucosidase activity, although in this case the differences from values of unburnt soils were not always statistically significant. Received: 15 July 1996     

Effects of legume green-manuring on nitrogen mineralization and some microbiological properties in an acid rice soil

We studied N mineralization of legume green manures under laboratory and field conditions, and the effects of field green-manuring on the microbiological properties of an acid Alfisol soil. No significant differences were found in the mineralization rates of Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) green manure. Mineralization was higher in field-capacity moist soil than water-saturated soil. The decomposition of sunnhemp under field wetland conditions, in the absence of a rice crop, was a rapid as it was under in vitro conditions. The decomposition released considerable amounts of mineral N and the level of NH ₄ ⁺ -N was significantly higher than NO ₃ ^– -N. Significant improvements were observed in the microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and bacterial populations in the field soil green-manured for rice for 3 years, compared with fertilized soil.     

Soil microbiological and biochemical properties affected by plant growth and different long-term fertilisation

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of plant growth on soil microbial biomass C (C_mic) and soil enzyme activities. In a pot experiment using spring barley and sugar beet, we investigated the response of C_mic, hot water extractable C and N fractions (C_hwe, N_hwe), and enzyme activities involved in C, N and P cycling in a loess-derived Chernozem from Bad Lauchstädt (Central Germany). The study site has been receiving the same fertilisation treatments for 100 years. The soil originated from plots fertilised with 15 t ha⁻¹ farmyard manure (FYM) year⁻¹ + mineral fertiliser (NPK), or 15 t ha⁻¹ FYM year⁻¹, or NPK or from an unfertilised control. Pots were sampled monthly, and alkaline phosphatase- (AP), β-glucosidase- and protease-activities were analysed. At the beginning and the end of study, levels of C_mic, C_hwe and N_hwe were also measured. All three enzyme activities and C_mic were significantly and positively correlated with C_org and C_hwe. Results suggest that the enzyme activities measured originated mostly from microorganisms and that C_hwe is an important C source for soil microorganisms. β-Glucosidase and AP activities were higher in summer months than at other times. In contrast, protease activity changed only slightly during the growing period.     

Short-term effects of olive mill waste water (OMW) on chemical and biochemical properties of a semiarid Mediterranean soil

Olive mill waste water (OMW), a by-product of the olive mill industry, is produced in large amounts in Mediterranean countries. Olive mill waste water contains a high organic load, substantial amounts of plant nutrients but also several compounds with recognized toxicity towards living organisms. Moreover, OMW may represent a low cost source of water. Thus, the use of OMW for soil fertigation is a valuable option for its disposal, provided that its impact on soil chemical and biochemical properties is established. Investigations were performed on the short-term influence of OMW on several chemical and biochemical properties of a soil from a continental semi-arid Mediterranean region (Morocco). The soil was amended with 0, 18 and 36 ml 100 g⁻¹ soil of OMW (corresponding to a field rate of 0, 40 and 80 m³ ha⁻¹, respectively) and changes in various functionally related properties such as microbial biomass, basal respiration, extractable C and N, and soil hydrolases and oxido-reductases activities were measured over time. The variations of the main physical and chemical properties as well as the residual phytotoxicity of OMW amended and non-amended soils as assessed by tomato seed germination tests were also monitored. Temporary and permanent changes in several chemical and biochemical soil properties occurred following OMW application, thus being these properties varied in sensitivity to the applied disturbance. A sudden increase of total organic C, extractable N and C, available P and extractable Mn and Fe contents were measured. Simultaneously, a rapid increase of soil respiration, dehydrogenase and urease activities and microbial biomass (at 14 day incubation) of OMW amended soils occurred. In contrast, the activities of phosphatase, β-glucosidase, nitrate reductase and diphenol oxidase decreased markedly. The soil became highly phytotoxic after OMW addition (large decline of soil germination capability), mainly at 80 m³ ha⁻¹ OMW. After 42 days' incubation, however, a complete recovery of the soil germination capability and a residual phytotoxicity of about 30% were observed with 40 and 80 m³ ha⁻¹ OMW, respectively. These findings indicate that the impact of OMW on soil properties was the result of opposite effects, depending on the relative amounts of beneficial and toxic organic and inorganic compounds present. The toxic compounds contained in OMW most likely counteracted the beneficial effect of organic substrates provided, which promoted the growth and activity of indigenous microorganisms.     

Influence of stock camping behaviour on the soil microbiological and biochemical properties of grazed pastoral soils

 The size and activity of the soil microbial biomass in grazed pastures was compared on the main grazing area and on stock camp areas where animals congregate. Two sites were on hill country and three on gently sloping border-dyke irrigated land. Due to the transfer of nutrients and organic matter to the camp areas via dung and urine there was an accumulation of soil organic C, organic and inorganic P and S and soluble salts in the camp areas. Soil pH also tended to be higher in camp areas due to transfer of alkalinity by the grazing animals. Water soluble organic C, microbial biomass C and basal respiration were all higher in soils from camp areas but the proportion of organic C present as microbial C and the microbial respiratory quotient were unaffected. Microbial activity as quantified by arginine ammonification rate and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis was higher in camp than non-camp soils but dehydrogenase activity remained unaffected. Activities of protease, histidase, urease, acid phosphatase and aryl-sulphatase were all higher in stock camp soils. The activities of both histidase and aryl-sulphatase were also higher when expressed per unit of microbial biomass C, indicating that the increased activity was the result of increased enzyme production by the microbial community. Prolonged regular applications of dairy shed effluent (diluted dung and urine from cattle) to a field had a similar effect to stock camping in increasing soil organic matter content, nutrient accumulation and soil biological activity. It was concluded that the stock camping activity of grazing animals results in an increase in both the fertility and biological activity in soils from camp areas at the expense of these properties on the main grazing areas. Received: 20 October 1997     

Characterization of effects of a long-term wastewater irrigation on soil quality by microbiological and biochemical parameters

Investigations were conducted to evaluate the effects of long-term (up to 100 years) wastewater irrigation on the selected microbiological and biochemical characteristics of a Cambisol and a Haplic Luvisol. The developments of soil oligotrophic and copiotrophic bacteria (including actinomycetes), the total microbial biomass (ATP content), and acitivity of enzymes catalyzing major substrate transformations in soil (β-glucosidase, β-acetyl-glucosaminidase, proteinase, phosphatase) indicated significantly differences between wastewater treated and non-irrigated soil sites. The increases of the individual indices under the effect of wastewater irrigation show that remarkable differences in the microbiological and biochemical parameters of soil quality remained detectable also 20 years after the soil treatment was terminated.     

Short-term effects of biochar and gypsum on soil hydraulic properties and sodicity in a saline-alkali soil

Salt and sodicity of saline-alkali soil adversely affect the construction of ecological landscapes and negatively impact crop production. The reclamation potential of biochar (BC, wheat straw biochar applied at 1% by weight), gypsum (G, 0.4% by weight), and gypsum coupled with biochar (GBC) was examined in this laboratory-based study by evaluating their effects on a saline-alkali soil (silt loam) with no amendment as a control (CK). Saline ice and fresh water (simulated rainfall) were leached through soil columns to investigate changes in salt content, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), alkalinity, and pH of the leachate and the soil. Results showed that saturated water content and field water capacity (FWC) significantly increased by 4.4% and 5.6%, respectively, in the BC treatment after a short incubation time. Co-application of biochar and gypsum (GBC) increased soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) by 58.4%, which was also significantly higher than the sole addition. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the leachate decreased sharply after saline ice leaching; subsequent freshwater leaching accelerated the removal of the rest of the salts, irrespective of the amendment application. However, the application of gypsum (G and GB) significantly enhanced the removal of exchangeable Na+ and reduced leachate SAR. After leaching, the soil salt content decreased significantly for all treatments. The application of gypsum resulted in a significantly lower soil pH, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), SAR, and alkalinity values than those recorded for the CK and BC treatments. These results demonstrated that the co-application of gypsum and biochar could improve saline-alkali soil hydraulic conductivity and decrease leaching-induced sodicity over a short period.     

The acidulation effects of nitrogenous fertilizers on selected chemical and microbiological properties of soil

Abstract

The acidulation effects of the prolonged use of nitrogenous fertilizers on selected chemical and microbiological properties of a silt loam soil (Typic Ochraqualf) were assessed.

Soil samples were collected from experimental plots initially established in 1971 that were annually treated with ten N fertilizer treatments and planted to corn. Residual soil acidity found to be associated with 9 annual applications of the N fertilizers was of the order: (NH₄)₂ SO₄ > NH₄C1 > anhydrous NH₃ (at 300 kg N/ha) = NH₄NO₃ > urea = ureaform = anhydrous NH₃ (at 150 kg N/ha) > Ca(NO₃)₂ NaNO₃. Extractable P, Fe, Mn and Al followed a pattern of increasing availability with a decrease in soil pH. Exchangeable Ca and Mg levels were significantly higher in those treatments that did not show a significant decrease in soil pH over the 9‐year duration.

Significant differences by N treatment among selected microbial groups were also determined. The annual mean counts of soil fungi were significantly higher for the most and least acidifying treatments, namely ammonium sulfate and sodium nitrate. However, the mean counts of soil bacteria and actinomycetes were non‐significant for any of the fertilizer treatments although the counts of both microbial groups declined with the addition of N. Significant differences in the mean counts of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were obtained with the ammonium sulfate treatment showing the greatest reduction in MPN counts. Microbial diversity (H') indices were also determined and correlated with soil pH. A quadratic relationship was determined for phyleal diversity (the total population of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) with soil pH, while a linear function best described physiological diversity (the nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria) versus soil pH.     

不同有机物料培肥对渭北旱塬土壤微生物学特性及土壤肥力的影响

通过田间试验,研究了施用不同有机物料对渭北旱塬耕地土壤微生物学特性及土壤肥力的影响。结果表明,化肥与不同有机物料配合施用,土壤微生物学特性［微生物量碳（MBC）、微生物量氮（MBN）、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶］以及部分土壤养分状况（全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阳离子交换量）比单施化肥处理均得到进一步改善。化肥配施秸秆堆肥处理效果最明显,其中微生物量碳增加了41.96%,微生物量氮增加了54.55%,脲酶活性增加了19.71%,碱性磷酸酶活性增加了7.35%,速效磷增加了63.12%;而且土壤微生物量碳、氮与速效磷、阳离子交换量呈显著正相关,微生物商（qMB）、脲酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性与全氮、速效氮、速效钾含量呈显著相关;同时SMBC、SMBN、qMB等与作物产量密切相关（相关系数分别为0.85,0.74,0.82）。因此,化肥配施秸秆堆肥处理在渭北旱地雨热条件下对于全面提升土壤质量具有重要的意义;同时该区域土壤中微生物量碳氮与土壤养分状况、作物产量具有很好的一致性,可以表征土壤肥力状况及生产力水平。     

热带地区不同香蕉长期轮作体系对土壤微生物和生物化学性质的影响

Soil microbiological and biochemical properties under various field crop rotations such as grains, pastures and vegetables have been studied intensively under short-term period. However, there is limited information about the influence of banana-based rotations on soil organic C, total N(TN), microbial biomasses and enzyme activities under long-term crop rotations. A field experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was carried out at the Wanzhong Farm in Ledong(18?37′–18?38′N, 108?46′–108?48′E), Hainan Province, China, to compare the responses of these soil parameters to long-term(10-year) banana(Musa paradisiaca)-pineapple(Ananas) rotation(AB), banana-papaya(Carica) rotation(BB) and banana monoculture(CK) in a conventional tillage system in the Hainan Island. Soil p H, total organic C(TOC), dissolved organic C(DOC), TN, total P(TP) and available P(AP) were found to be significantly higher(P 0.01) in AB and BB than CK at 0–30 cm soil depth. Microbial biomass C(MBC) and N(MBN) were observed 18.0%–35.2% higher in AB and 8.6%–40.5% higher in BB than CK at 0–30 cm. The activities of urease(UA), invertase(IA), dehydrogenase(DA) and acid phosphatase(APA) showed a mean of 21.5%–59.6% increase in AB and 26.7%–66.1% increase in BB compared with CK at 0–30 cm. Higher p H, TOC and DOC at 0–10 and 10–20 cm than at 20–30 cm were obtained despite of the rotations. Soil MBC and MBN and activities of UA, IA and DA decreased markedly(P 0.01) with increasing soil depth in the different rotation soils as well as the monoculture soil. In general, soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activities were more sensitive to changes in banana-based rotations than soil chemical properties, and consequently they were well-established as early indicators of changes due to crop rotations in the tropics.     

基于骨蛋白拉曼光谱特异性的肉骨粉种属鉴别方法

为了快速检测肉骨粉的种属来源,该研究开发了一种简便、可靠、科学、高效的肉骨粉种属鉴别方法。以87个肉骨粉(猪,鸡,牛和羊肉骨粉)为研究对象,利用拉曼光谱技术,结合化学计量学方法,建立了基于骨蛋白拉曼光谱特性的肉骨粉种属鉴别分析方法与模型。研究结果表明:根据偏最小二乘判别分析(PartialLeastSquaresDiscriminant Analysis,PLS-DA)模型,发现鸡和哺乳动物(猪,牛和羊)肉骨粉主要在1 659、2 930、2 852、1 246和1 455 cm-1附近的特征谱带具有差异性;猪和反刍动物(牛和羊)肉骨粉主要是在2 852、1 659和1 246 cm-1附近的特征谱带具有差异性;牛和羊肉骨粉主要是在878、853、2 930、2 852、1 246、1 455和1 659 cm-1附近的特征谱带具有差异性,并且PLS-DA模型鉴别肉骨粉的灵敏度和特异度均大于93.8%。研究结果可以丰富肉骨粉种属鉴别方法体系以及为开发便携式拉曼光谱仪提供参考。     

Lasting microbiological and biochemical effects of the addition of municipal solid waste to an arid soil

 This paper reports the effect of the addition of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste at two different rates on the microbiological and biochemical properties of an arid soil after 8 years. The vegetation that appeared spontaneously just after the amendment was still present 8 years later. The organic matter fractions were higher in the amended soil than in the control soil. Amended soil showed higher values of microbial biomass C, soil basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity than control soil, which reached values near to those of the natural soils in the area. The organic amendment had a positive effect on the activity of enzymes related with C, N, P cycles, particularly when the amendment was at the highest dose. This effect could be also observed on the activity of extracted enzymes. The results indicated that the addition of urban waste could be a suitable technique with which to restore soil quality. Received: 3 July 1998     

Influence of forest cover and herbaceous vegetation on the microbiological and biochemical properties of soil under Mediterranean humid climate

The effects of different Mediterranean vegetation cover on the biological and biochemical quality of soil is not well understood. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects that different types of vegetation (forestry plots, mainly dominated by Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii) and herbaceous plots, where overstorey density is lower and natural herbaceous percentage is higher than in forestry plots) have in the biological properties of soil in Mediterranean humid climate. The impact of these plant communities on the biological soil quality was determined by several sensitive parameters related to the microbial activity of the soil such as soil respiration and some enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase). Development of vegetation (herbaceous and pines) was also determined and correlated with microbiological and biochemical indicators. Organic matter content in herbaceous sites was significantly higher than in forestry sites, ranging from 5.27 to 6.70 g 100 g^?1 in herbaceous sites to 1.64–2.81 g 100 g^?1 in forested areas. Herbaceous sites showed higher values of basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity than pine areas. However, the decrease of organic carbon content in pine areas led microbial activity enrichment per unit of carbon. These results conclude that vegetation cover significantly impacts soil microbial processes in Mediterranean humid climates, herbaceous vegetation having a more positive influence than forest vegetation on the biochemical and microbial activity of the soil, principally due to the higher accumulation of organic matter from plant remains.     

Early impacts of cotton and peanut cropping systems on selected soil chemical,physical, microbiological and biochemical properties

This study investigated the impacts of cropping systems of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.; Ct) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.; Pt) on a Brownfield fine sandy soil (Loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Arenic Aridic Paleustalfs) in west Texas, United States. Samples (0–12 cm) were taken 2 and 3 years after establishment of the plots from PtPtPt, CtCtPt and PtCtCt in March, June and September 2002, and in March 2003. Soil total N and aggregate stability were generally not different among the cropping systems. The pH of the soils was >8.0. Continuous peanut increased soil organic C, microbial biomass C (C_mic) and the activities of -glucosidase, -glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiesterase and arylsulfatase compared to the peanut-cotton rotations. The arylsulfatase activity of the fumigated field-moist soil and that resulting from the difference of the fumigated minus non-fumigated soil were greater in PtPtPt, but arylsulfatase activity of non-fumigated soil was unaffected by the cropping systems. Soil C_mic showed a different seasonal variation to enzyme activities during the study. Enzyme activities:microbial biomass ratios indicated that the microbial biomass may not have produced significant amounts of enzymes or that newly released enzymes did not become stabilized in the soil (i.e., due to its low clay and organic matter contents). Fungal (18:26c and 18:19c) and bacterial (15:0, a15:0, and a17:0) FAMEs were higher in PtPtPt than in CtCtPt or PtCtCt cropping systems. Our results suggest that the quality or quantity of residues returned to the soil under a peanut and cotton rotation did not impact the properties of this sandy soil after the first 3 years of this study.     

Short-term effects of exogenous protease application on soil fertility with rice straw incorporation

Rice straw incorporation increases soil fertility in the long-term. However, it may cause N deficiency in the short-term. The aim of this study was to use exogenous protease to reduce N deficiency in short-term. A two factor incubation experiment was conducted to test the effects of protease addition (at six levels ranging from 0 to 3%) to the soil with or without incorporated rice straw at 5%. After a 120-day incubation period, soil protease activity, available N, available P and electrical conductivity of treatments with at least 0.5% added protease were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the no-protease control, with increases ranging from 82.4 to 168.8, 35.3 to 52.3, 10.9 to 21.9, and 107.1 to 173.9%, respectively. Soil organic matter and pH of treatments with added protease were lower than the no-protease control. Without straw incorporation, protease amendments only affected the soil protease activity itself, not other soil properties. In an orthogonal experiment designed to test the effects of temperature (15–35 °C), pH (5.5–7.5), water content (40% field capacity to submerged), and protease concentration (1–3%), fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was used for overall consideration of soil fertility, the optimum conditions are as follows: temperature 35 °C, pH 7.5, protease concentration 1%, and 100% field capacity. When protease was added to soil under conditions similar to rice field conditions, soil fertility was only slightly lower than that under optimal conditions. It is concluded that protease can reduce N deficiency, the effects of protease are influenced by environmental conditions, and exogenous protease may be used in field operations.