Effect of organic,inorganic, and combined organic and inorganic P fertilization on plant P uptake and soil P pools

Phosphorus (P) is a limited resource, and its efficient use is a main task in sustainable agriculture. In a 6‐year field experiment on a loamy‐sand soil poor in P, the effects of organic, inorganic, and combined organic‐inorganic fertilization on crop yield, P uptake into grain, and soil properties (organic matter [OM] content, pH, water‐extractable P [P_w], double lactate–extractable P [P_dl], oxalate‐extractable P [P_ox], P‐sorption capacity [PSC], and degree of P saturation [DPS]) were investigated for the maritime climate in northeast Germany. Nine treatments were compared: a control treatment without fertilizer application, two organic fertilizers (cattle manure [CM] and biowaste compost [BC]; applied at a rate of 30 t ha^–1 in autumn 1998 and 2001), application of triple‐superphosphate (TSP; applied once a year either in autumn or in spring to evaluate the effects of application date), and combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizations. Several winter and spring crops (oilseed rape, barley, wheat) were cultivated according to good agricultural practice. The 6 year–average yield and P uptake were significantly higher for fertilized plots than for nonfertilized plots. Although the combination of organic × inorganic fertilizers resulted in higher soil P contents, significant yield increases were only found when organic fertilization was combined with TSP in spring. Small effects of P supply on yield in some years indicate that plant‐available soil P (despite of low P_dl values) was sufficient for crop growth. Phosphorus supply affected soil P_dl and P_w more than the parameters measured in the oxalate extract (P_ox, PSC, DPS). In general, periodically applied cattle manure and biowaste compost had the same effect on yield, P uptake, and soil P status as annually applied soluble mineral P.     

Yield promotion and phosphorus solubilization by plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria in extensive wheat production in Turkey

Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to stimulate the growth and yield of grain crops, particularly when nutrient supply is poor. However, the mechanisms underlying stimulation of plant growth may vary depending not only on growth conditions and crop management but also on plant and bacterial species. The present study assessed the effect of an inoculation with single or multiple PGPR strains on phosphorus (P)‐solubilization processes in the soil and on grain yield in wheat. Single inoculation with Bacillus subtilis OSU‐142, Bacillus megaterium M3, or Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 increased grain yield by 24%, 19%, and 19%, respectively, while a mixed inoculation with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased grain yield by 33% relative to noninoculated plants. Single inoculations with Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05 or Bacillus megaterium RC07 were less effective. Single or mixed treatments with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased the concentrations of the labile and moderately labile P fractions in rhizosphere soil. The growth‐stimulating effect of OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 was also reflected by higher P concentrations in most plant organs. Among all inocula tested, the highest plant P acquisition was obtained in the presence of M3 and accompanied by the highest microbial P levels and the highest phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere soil. In conclusion, seed inoculation with mixed PGPR strains may effectively substitute for a part of P‐fertilizer application in extensive wheat production, and in particular M3 appears to improve the solubilization of inorganic soil P.     

Potassium fertilization and soil diagnostic criteria for forage corn (Zea mays L.) production contributing to lower potassium input in regional fertilizer recommendation

Abstract

Effective soil diagnostic criteria for exchangeable potassium (Ex-K) combined with inorganic potassium (K) application rates were developed to lower K input in forage corn (Zea mays L.) production using experimental fields with different application rates and histories of cattle manure compost. Two corn varieties, ‘Cecilia’ as a low K uptake variety and ‘Yumechikara’ as a high K uptake variety, were selected from among 20 varieties and tested to make diagnostic criteria for K fertilization applicable to varieties with different K uptakes. The K uptakes increased from 96 to 303 kg K ha^?1 for ‘Cecilia’ and from 123 to 411 kg K ha^?1 for ‘Yumechikara’ with increasing Ex-K content on a dry soil basis from 0.11 to 0.92 g kg^?1 with no inorganic K fertilizer application. The K uptake by corn for achieving the target dry matter yield of 18 Mg ha^?1 was estimated to be approximately 200 kg K ha^?1 in common between the two varieties. Yields of both varieties achieved the target yield at an Ex-K content of approximately 0.30 g kg^?1 with no K fertilization, although ‘Yumechikara’ reached the target yield at a lower Ex-K content. At the low Ex-K content of 0.1 g kg^?1, inorganic K fertilizer application at 83 kg K ha^?1 was needed to gain the target yield, and apparent K recovery rate for K fertilizer was calculated to be 70% for both varieties. The K uptakes for gaining the target yield by the K fertilization were lower than that by soil K supply. Based on these results, diagnostic criteria of Ex-K and inorganic K application rates were set up as follows: at an Ex-K content of < 0.15 g kg^?1, inorganic K fertilizer is applied at 83 kg K ha^?1 (100 kg ha^?1 as potassium oxide (K₂O) equivalent); at an Ex-K content of 0.15–0.30 g kg^?1, the application rate is reduced to 33 kg K ha^?1 (40 kg K₂O ha^?1); at an Ex-K content of ≥ 0.30 g kg^?1, inorganic K fertilizer is not applied because of sufficient K in the soil. Additionally, we propose that cattle manure compost be used to supplement soil K fertility.     

Effects of earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on availability of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium in soil

Both earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are ubiquitous and important for promoting circulation of plant macronutrients. Two series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of earthworm casts and activities on the growth of PGPR, and the inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on the availability of N, P, and K in soils, respectively. During a short incubation period (0–34 h), the extracts of earthworm (Pheretima guillelmi)‐worked soil significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundance of the three species of PGPR, including N‐fixing bacteria (NFB) (Azotobacter chroococcum HKN‐5), phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (Bacillus megaterium HKP‐1), and K‐solubilizing bacteria (KSB) (B. mucilaginous HKK‐1), in Luria‐Bertani (LB) broth. There were synergistic effects of dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on increasing the concentrations of NH$ _4^+ $ ‐N, (NO$ _3^- $ + NO$ _2^- $ )‐N, NaHCO₃‐extractable P, and NH₄OAc‐extractable K in the corresponding soils. Bioavailable N (the sum of NH$ _4^+ $ ‐N and [NO$ _3^- $ + NO$ _2^- $ ]‐N) in the dual inoculation was 4 to 24 times those inoculated with earthworms or NFB alone, respectively. The significantly higher concentrations of bioavailable N and P in the dual inoculation of earthworms and NFB or PSB may be due to the higher abundance of PGPR and/or higher activities of urease and acid phosphatase than those of single inoculation of NFB or PSB, respectively. Dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR would be most effective in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers in agriculture.     

The influence of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria on growth and enzyme activities in wheat and spinach plants

A pot experiment in a greenhouse was conducted in order to investigate the effect of different N₂‐fixing, phytohormone‐producing, and P‐solubilizing bacterial species on wheat and spinach growth and enzyme activities. Growth parameters and the activities of four enzymes, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD; EC 1.1.1.49), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD; EC 1.1.1.44), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.8.1.7), and glutathione S‐transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) were determined in the leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Konya) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), noninoculated and inoculated with nine plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR: Bacillus cereus RC18, Bacillus licheniformis RC08, Bacillus megaterium RC07, Bacillus subtilis RC11, Bacillus OSU‐142, Bacillus M‐13, Pseudomonas putida RC06, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05 and RC14). Among the strains used in the present study, six PGPR exhibited nitrogenase activity and four were efficient in phosphate solubilization; all bacterial strains were efficient in indole acetic acid (IAA) production and significantly increased growth of wheat and spinach. Inoculation with PGPR increased wheat shoot fresh weight by 16.2%–53.8% and spinach shoot fresh weight by 2.2%–53.4% over control. PGPR inoculation gave leaf area increases by 6.0%–47.0% in wheat and 5.3%–49.3% in spinach. Inoculation increased plant height by 2.2%–24.6% and 1.9%–36.8% in wheat and spinach, respectively. A close relationship between plant growth and enzyme activities such as G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and GST was demonstrated. Plant‐growth response was variable and dependent on the inoculant strain, enzyme activity, plant species, and growth parameter evaluated. In particular, the N₂‐fixing bacterial strains RC05, RC06, RC14, and OSU‐142 and the P‐solubilizing strains RC07 and RC08 have great potential in being formulated and used as biofertilizers.     

Short‐term effects of in‐row subsoiling and simultaneous admixing of organic material on growth of spring barley (H. vulgare)

Previous studies have shown that deep tillage, so‐called subsoiling, is beneficial for yield development, and that tillage of deeper soil layers can promote water and nutrient availability during dry periods. The application of composts to the topsoil has been widely studied and evaluated, and it has been shown to improve soil stability and plant N uptake. These effects can differ over time depending on the compost type. Since dry periods have become more frequent, sustainable soil tillage and fertilizer practices must be developed. A combination of deep soil tillage and compost application might be a way to ensure proper plant supply during dry periods. Therefore, a field experiment on spring barley growth was carried out to evaluate the short‐term effects of in‐row subsoiling with simultaneous admixing of compost. Two types of composts and one organic fertilizer (Bio: decomposed organic waste, Green: decomposed green cuttings and CM: cattle manure) were admixed into the subsoil, and a control treatment received single deep loosening (DL) to a depth of 0.6 m. Yield development, yield parameters and grain quality were analysed and showed that the DL and Bio treatments resulted in the highest yields, and a significantly increased ear density and number of kernels. The TKW (100‐kernel weight) of the CM treatment was significantly lower than the other treatments. In all treatments, a clear trend of decreasing yields with increasing distance from the subsoil tillage was observed. Thus a subsoil tillage every meter can increase overall yield development and offers a new perspective for sustainable crop production.     

蔬菜废弃物堆肥对设施蔬菜产量和土壤生物特性的影响

采用盆栽试验研究了蔬菜废弃物堆肥对小白菜的增产效果、土壤养分含量、土壤微生物量和酶活性的影响。结果表明,蔬菜废弃物堆肥能够显著提高盆栽小白菜的产量和品质,其中30 t/hm2的高量蔬菜废弃物堆肥将产量提高了66.26%,将品质指标Vc、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量显著提高了35.64%、183.36%和39.42%。蔬菜废弃物堆肥能够显著提高土壤质量,有机质、总氮、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量和土壤微生物量碳、氮,以及土壤淀粉酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、脱氢酶活性的土壤质量指标。与牛粪相比较,高用量的蔬菜废弃物堆肥处理在小白菜产量、可溶性蛋白含量、土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量、磷酸酶活性上显著高于牛粪;而在可溶性糖含量、土壤有机质含量、土壤微生物量、淀粉酶、脱氢酶活性上显著低于牛粪。综合而言,蔬菜废弃物堆肥能够提高土壤质量,增加蔬菜产量和品质;在蔬菜产量方面,蔬菜废弃物堆肥优于牛粪,在蔬菜品质和土壤质量方面,蔬菜废弃物堆肥与牛粪相当。     

添加牛粪对长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化的影响及激发效应

为了探讨长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化对添加牛粪的响应特征及添加牛粪对长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化的激发效应,以始建于1986年的长期定位试验为平台,通过室内恒温培养的方法研究添加等氮量牛粪后长期不同施肥(不施肥,CK;常量有机肥,SMA;常量化肥,SMF;常量有机无机配施,1/2(SMA+SMF))潮土有机碳矿化、土壤有机碳及活性碳库组分(微生物量碳、可溶性有机碳、颗粒有机碳和易氧化有机碳)含量的变化特征。结果表明:无论添加牛粪与否,长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化过程均符合一级动力学方程,而牛粪的添加显著增加了长期不施肥、长期单施化肥和长期有机无机配施土壤的有机碳矿化速率常数,增长幅度分别为21.74%、35.00%和45.00%;添加牛粪提高了长期不同施肥潮土有机碳、微生物量碳、颗粒有机碳和易氧化有机碳含量,却显著降低了可溶性有机碳含量;牛粪对长期不施肥、长期施用常量有机肥、常量化肥和常量有机无机配施潮土有机碳矿化的正激发效应分别达到了48.56%、3.60%、48.43%和3.92%,且对长期不施肥及长期施用常量化肥潮土的激发效应显著高于对长期施用常量有机肥及长期有机无机配施土壤;冗余分析显示添加牛粪对长期不同施肥土壤有机碳矿化的激发效应与土壤活性组分碳氮比呈正相关,与土壤养分含量呈负相关。该研究不仅为合理施用有机肥和实现农田生态系统的可持续发展提供理论依据,还有利于实现农业资源再利用及其效益最大化。     

钼磷配合施用对甘蓝型油菜产量和子粒品质的影响

利用酸性黄棕壤进行连续2年的盆栽试验,研究了钼肥和磷肥配合施用对甘蓝型油菜产量和子粒含油量、油产量、蛋白质含量、硫甙和芥酸含量以及脂肪酸组分等品质指标的影响。钼肥和磷肥各设置3个水平,分别为Mo 0、0.15、0.30 mg /kg土和P2O5 0、0.20、0.40 g /kg土,共9个处理。结果表明:施钼能够显著（P0.05）提高油菜子粒产量和生物学产量,显著增加油菜子粒含油量、油产量及油酸、亚油酸含量,降低子粒硫甙、亚麻酸和硬脂酸的含量;施磷则能够极显著提高子粒产量和子粒油产量,显著增加生物学产量和亚油酸含量,降低芥酸、硫甙及二十碳烯酸的含量;钼肥和磷肥对提高油菜子粒产量、油产量和油酸含量,降低芥酸含量存在显著（P0.05）的协同效应。因此,钼肥和磷肥在提高油菜产量、改善油菜子粒品质方面均具有良好的作用,且两者配合施用效果更好。     

Effect of different application rates of organic fertilizer on soil enzyme activity and microbial population

Abstract

After cultivating 24 crops of vegetables for three consecutive years in a greenhouse, the effects of different application rates of compost (Rate 1, 270 kg N ha^?1 y^?1; Rate 2, 540 kg N ha^?1 y^?1; Rate 3, 810 kg N ha^?1 y^?1; Rate 4, 1,080 kg N ha^?1 y^?1) were compared with the effects of chemical fertilizer (CF) and no application of fertilizer treatments (CK) for some selected soil chemical properties, microbial populations and soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, cellulase, β-glucosidase, protease, urease, arysulphatase, and acid and alkaline phosphatases). The results show that the pH, electrical conductivity, concentrations of total nitrogen (N) and the organic matter received from compost treatment were generally higher than those received through CF treatment. The soil microbial biomass, populations of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, as well as soil enzyme activities increased significantly in the compost-treated soils compared with the CF-treated soil. In most instances, no significant increase was observed in the enzymatic activities studied for compost applications higher than a Rate 2 treatment. However, all enzymatic activities examined showed significant linear correlations with the organic matter contents of the soils. The vegetable yield reached its highest level at the Rate 2 treatment and declined or leveled off in the higher treatments, implying that a high application rate of compost cannot further increase the crop yield after the soil fertility has been established. High organic matter content in the soil was found to alleviate the adverse effect of soluble salts on vegetable growth. In conclusion, an application rate of compost at Rate 2, 540 kg N ha^?1 y^?1, is adequate on the basis of vegetable yields and soil chemical, biochemical and enzymatic properties in greenhouse cultivation under subtropical climatic conditions.     

Seasonal effect of the exotic invasive plant Solidago gigantea on soil pH and P fractions

Invasions by alien plants can alter biogeochemical cycles in recipient ecosystems. We test if Early Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) alters P fractions. To that end, we compare invaded plots and adjacent, uninvaded resident vegetation for specific fractions of organic and inorganic P, phosphomonoesterase (PME) activity in topsoil, and immobilization of P in above‐ and belowground organs and in soil microbial biomass. Invaded plots had lower soil pH and 20%–30% higher labile P fractions (resin‐P_i, bicarb‐P_i, NaOH‐Pi), and the difference was consistent across seasons. There was no difference in microbial P. Alkaline‐PME activity was 30% lower in topsoil of invaded plots. Annual P uptake in aboveground phytomass was not markedly higher in Solidago. In contrast, P in belowground organs steadily increased in autumn in invaded plots, due to both increased biomass and increased P concentrations. This indicated higher net P immobilization in Solidago, far in excess of both resorption from senescing shoots and P requirements for aboveground biomass in subsequent year. Higher turnover rates of P in belowground organs and mobilization of sparingly soluble P forms through rhizosphere acidification may be involved in the observed differences in soil P status between invaded and uninvaded plots.     

Effect of Fertilization Systems on Soil Microbial Biomass and Mineral Nitrogen during Canola (Brassica napus L.) Development Stages

The dynamics of microbial biomass and mineral nitrogen (N) during two growth stages were compared in soils under different fertilization treatments. At stem elongation, the fertilizer system had more N in the mineral pools, whereas manure and integrated systems had more N in the microbial biomass, indicating shifts in N pools between the two systems. At the flowering stage, integrated (manure + fertilizer) and manure systems had more N in two pools, indicating release of plant-available N from the microbial biomass. The carbon (C) / N ratio of the microbial biomass was significantly greater in manure and integrated treatments than in fertilizer treatments. Soil mineral N was significantly positively correlated with seed yield at the stem elongation stage, whereas it was positively correlated with soil microbial biomass C at the flowering stage. Stepwise regressions revealed that seed yield was significantly associated with mineral N at stem elongation and microbial biomass N at the flowering stage.     

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

The use of organic materials as a source of nutrients on agricultural lands ameliorates soil physical properties as well as being an environmentally friendly way of disposing of their wastes. This study was conducted to determine effects of three organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, leonardite) on yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. Poultry litter and cattle manure were applied based on phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) requirements of the crop whereas leonardite was applied only one dose (500 kg ha^?1) and also combined with three inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, 50% of recommended inorganic fertilizer dose). According to the results, the highest green herbage yield and nutrient uptake values were observed in LEO-100 whereas N-based treatments significantly decreased yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. The use of organic materials as a combination with inorganic fertilizer in silage maize cultivation is highly beneficial for sustainable forage production.     

Effect of liming and applied phosphorus on growth and P uptake of maize (Zea mays subsp.) plant grown in acid soils of West Wollega,Ethiopia

The study aimed at investigating effects of lime and mineral P fertilizers on P uptake and growth of maize (Zea mays subsp.) in greenhouse pot experiment. Combination of four P rates and four lime rates were applied to four highly acidic soil samples and the soils were incubated for a total of 112?days after which maize (Zea mays subsp.) was planted. The maize plants were harvested for analysis after 42?days of growth. Control experiments were also included. Available P (Bray I) and pH were significantly increased after incubation. Maximum available P was obtained in the soils that received the highest P rate and optimum lime rate. Levels of exchangeable acidity were significantly decreased in the P and lime treated soils compared to the control experiments. Plant biomasses and P uptake of maize increased significantly (p?≤?0.001) with application of P and lime compared to the control experiments.     

The Role of Organic Soil Amendments on Soil Physical Properties and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The objective of this study is to examine the role of some organic (composted tobacco waste, CTW; bio-humus, BH; chicken manure, CM) soil amendments on soil physical properties and yield of maize. A 3-year field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of Ege University in Menemen, Izmir, Turkey from 2009 to 2011. The treatments, (1) control, (2) 4 t/ha CM+NPK, (3) 50 t/ha CTW, (4) 10 t/ha BH+NPK, were arranged in complete randomized block design with four treatment replications. Both of BH (composted plant residues) and CM were obtained from organic manure industry. Tobacco wastes were gathered from the cigarette industry and applied to maize (Zea mays L.) after composting period with the other amendments. During the experiment, two soil samples were collected in three different periods (3 June 2009–23 October 2009; 1 June 2010–5 November 2010; 13 July 2011–21 October 2011). The effects of CM, BH, and CTW on physical properties of the soil and yield were investigated. According to our results, all organic amendments increased porosity, structure stability index, field capacity, wilting point, and available water amount and decreased bulk density and particle density of soil when compared to the control. We additionally determined that these organic amendments positively affected grain yield.     

Aging effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on phosphorus fractionation in a calcareous sandy loam soil

In most arid and semiarid soils, naturally occurring phosphorus(P) is a major yield-limiting plant nutrient. In this study, to investigate the effects of organic(OP) and inorganic P(IP) sources on P fractionation, a calcareous sandy loam alkaline soil was fertilized with OP and IP fertilizers at low(80 mg P kg~(-1) soil) and high(160 mg P kg~(-1) soil) application rates. Three combinations of OP and IP(i.e., 75% OP + 25% IP, 50% OP + 50% IP, and 25% OP + 75% IP) were applied at low and high application rates,respectively, followed by soil aging for 21 d. Soil samples were collected after 1, 2, 3, 7, and 21 d and subjected to sequential extraction to analyze soluble and exchangeable, Fe-and Al-bound, Ca-bound, and residual P fractions. The soluble and exchangeable P fraction significantly increased up to 24.3%, whereas the Ca-bound fraction decreased up to 40.7% in the soils receiving 75% OP + 25% IP and 50% OP + 50% IP, respectively, compared with the control(receiving no P fertilizer). However, the transformation of P fractions was influenced by aging time. Addition of P sources caused instant changes in different P fractions, which then tended to decline with aging time. Change in soil p H was the limiting factor in controlling P availability. At high application rate, the OP source significantly increased soil P availability compared with the IP source with soil aging. Depending on P fractionation, a proper combination of OP and IP fertilizers, as long-term slow and instant P-releasing sources for plant uptake, respectively, may be a sustainable strategy to meet crop P requirements in the arid and semiarid soils.     

Effects of low-molecular-mass organic acids on P nutrition and some plant properties of Hordeum vulgare

One of the strategies of the plants growing in phosphorus (P)-deficient environments is to exudate low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA). Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of LMWOA on phosphorus uptake of barley from either fertilizer or inherited soil phosphorus. The experiment was set up in full factorial arrangement in completely randomised design with two phosphorus (0 and 50 mg P kg^?1), five organic acids, LMWOA (malic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid), and four organic acid rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 mmol kg^?1). The effects of LMWOA on yield in descending order were: oxalic acid > ascorbic acid > malic acid > acetic acid > citric acid. The maximum P concentration in grain was obtained at 30 mmol kg^?1 LMWOA treatments. As a result, it was found that oxalic acid was the most effective LMWOA in increasing nutrient uptake induced grain yield with and without phosphorous fertilizer application.     

Long-term effect of straw and farmyard manure on soil organic matter in field experiment in the Czech Republic

The effect of long-term (45 years) mineral and organic fertilization on soil organic matter (SOM) quantity (organic C and N content) and quality (hot-water-soluble C content, microbial biomass C content, hydrophobic organic components of SOM, soil enzyme activities) was determined in a field experiment established in Trutnov (North Bohemia, sandy loam, Eutric Cambisol). Six treatments were chosen for investigation: unfertilized control, mineral fertilization (NPK), straw N, farmyard manure (FYM) and straw and FYM completed with mineral NPK. Soil samples were taken from the arable layer (0–20 cm) in spring over the period of 2004–2010. The positive effect of FYM on the total organic C and N content, hot-water-soluble C content and hydrophobic organic components of SOM was more than 50% higher than that of straw and mineral N fertilization. Application of straw N increased microbial biomass C content in soil and generated invertase activity above the level of FYM. Hot-water-soluble C content, hydrophobic organic components of SOM and urease activity were positively correlated with total organic C and N content (R = 0.58–0.98; p < 0.05). Addition of mineral NPK to both the straw and FYM emphasized the effect of organic fertilization in most of monitored characteristics.