Influence of composite inoculations of phosphate solubilizing organisms and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on yield,grain protein and phosphorus and nitrogen uptake by greengram

Abstract

The agronomic efficiency of nitrogen (N) fixing and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on vigour, photosynthetic pigments, seed yield, grain protein and nutrient uptake of greengram plants, were assessed in soils, deficient in phosphorous (P). The tripartite inoculation of Glomus fasciculatum + Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + Bacillus subtilis, significantly increased dry matter, chlorophyll content and nutrient uptake of greengram plants. Generally, the number of nodules formed per plant was more at flowering stage, which decreased at podfill stage of plant growth. Seed yield increased significantly by 27% due to inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum, relative to the control. Grain protein ranged from 17% (P. variabile) to 28% (Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum) in inoculated greengram. A negative effect occurred on some of the measured parameters when P. variabile was used alone or in combination treatments. The N and P contents in measured plant parts (e.g., roots, shoots, straw and grain) differed considerably among treatments. The populations of PSM, percentage of root infection and density of the AM fungal spore improved in some of the treatments.     

磷肥处理对烤烟生长生理及根系构型的影响

采用根箱栽培,研究了高 P、低P对烤烟生长生理及根系构型的影响,结果发现,烟株生长指标（株高、茎围、叶重、根重）、生理指标（烟叶净光合速率、硝酸还原酶活性、烟株根系活力）、根际土壤微生物数量（细菌、真菌、放线菌）均为高P处理大于低P处理。高P和低P处理烟株根系构型具有各自鲜明的发根特征和侧重点,高P处理根系构型优势在烟株发育后期的第三轮根以及一级侧根,而低P处理根系构型主要优势在第一轮根、第二轮根及总不定根。低P处理烟株不定根的生成量超过高P处理。     

Sand-dust storms in and around the Ordos Plateau of China as influenced by land use change and desertification

The occurrence of sand-dust storms induced by wind erosion is a process that accelerates land degradation and can also be considered as an indicator of desertification. Thus, it is of significance both in theory and in practice to reveal the interaction between these two phenomena. Based on data from the Ordos Plateau and its surrounding areas, a study has been made of the effect of land degradation and land use changes on sand-dust storms. In this study, we report a non-linear relationship between sand-dust storm frequency and the index of land degradation (I_d), which is defined as the percentage of the area of total land that is desertified. Using this non-linear relationship, a threshold at I_d = 30% is established such that, when I_d < 30% sand-dust storm frequency does not change with increasing I_d but when I_d > 30%, sand-dust storm frequency increases rapidly. This existence of such a threshold means that sand-dust storm frequency would increase abruptly when the human-induced I_d exceeds 30%. The time series of annual number of sand-dust storm days in the neighbouring area has been compared to the time series in the annual number of strong wind days and the time series in the area of cultivated land in Yikezhao Meng, and a multi-regression equation has been established. Based on the equation, the relative contributions of the variations in land use and in annual number of strong wind days to the variation in annual number of sand-dust storm days have been estimated as 59.7% and 40.3%, respectively, indicating that the frequency of sand-dust storms may be effectively decreased by reducing the area of cultivated land and restoring the natural steppe vegetation in ecologically fragile areas in arid and semi-arid climates.     

施磷对苦麦菜生长及土壤磷素淋失的影响

利用网室土柱模拟试验, 研究了不同磷用量[0、0.05 g·kg^-1(土)、0.10 g·kg^-1(土)、0.20 g·kg^-1(土)]对苦麦菜产量、磷素吸收和利用及土壤磷淋失的影响。结果表明, 施磷显著增加苦麦菜产量、促进植株对磷的吸收。苦麦菜产量在低磷水平[0.05 g·kg^-1(土)]时最高, 为每个土柱186.29 g。随磷用量增加, 苦麦菜产量和磷肥利用率明显降低, 植株吸磷量无明显变化。施磷显著增加土壤磷淋失量, 且随磷用量增加, 不同形态磷淋失量均显著增加。同一磷处理颗粒磷淋失量高于溶解态磷。不同磷用量条件下土壤各形态磷的淋失率均低于0.1%。低量施磷条件下溶解态磷在施磷后第10 d 出现第1 次淋失高峰; 中量和高量施磷条件下溶解态磷在施磷后第10 d 和第40 d 分别出现2 次淋失高峰。土壤总磷和颗粒磷淋失高峰期在施磷后第40~50 d 出现。施肥后第60 d, 土壤总磷、溶解态磷和颗粒磷淋失浓度均明显降低。综合考虑苦麦菜产量、磷素吸收和利用及土壤磷淋失量等因素, 苦麦菜以0.05 g·kg^-1(土)的施磷量为佳。     

施磷对玉米吸磷量、产量和土壤磷含量的影响及其相关性

为了给玉米磷高效利用提供理论依据, 在低磷土壤(Olsen-P 4.9 mg·kg^-1)上, 通过田间试验, 研究了施磷0(T₀)、50 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₁)、100 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₂)、200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₃)、1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₄)对两个玉米品种"鲁单9002" (LD9002)、"先玉335"(XY335)的产量、磷素吸收利用及根际磷动态变化的影响。结果表明: 两玉米品种根际土、非根际土速效磷含量在不同生育时期都表现为T12O₅)·hm^-2的T₃处理非根际土转化为根际土土壤磷的量最大, 同时玉米生物量、产量、磷转移量也达到最高, 而施磷1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理玉米生物量、产量与中磷水平相比没有显著增加, 但植株吸磷量较高。XY335的花后磷转移量小于LD9002。相关分析表明, LD9002根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶吸磷量之间显著相关, 以播种后79 d与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关系数最高; 而XY335根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶磷浓度之间显著相关, 在播种后47 d期间与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关性最好。因此, 在低磷土壤上, LD9002和XY335分别在播种后79 d和47 d时是植株对磷的敏感期, 可以通过测试根际土、非根际土速效磷含量来反映土壤的供磷状况; LD9002在79 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为54.95 mg·kg^-1、32.99 mg·kg^-1, XY335品种在47 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为51.24 mg·kg^-1、35.35 mg·kg^-1; 施磷量1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理两品种玉米产量、生物量、磷积累量与施磷量100~200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理没有显著差异。     

Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae and zinc application on dry matter and zinc uptake of greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Summary In a greenhouse study we examined the effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) inoculation, using Glomus macrocarpum and of Zn application on dry matter production and Zn uptake by greengram in two mollisols. The VAM inoculation significantly increased the dry weight of different plant parts and the Zn uptake in both soils. Inoculated plants showed a greater response to the application of Zn at 2.5 and 5.0 mg kg^-1 soil in a Zn deficient clay loam soil. The inoculated plants also absorbed — more water than the uninoculated plants. Mass flow and diffusion were the principal processes by which Zn reached the plant roots; mass flow was particularly important in the absence of VAM in a sandy soil fertilized with higher Zn doses (5 and 10 mg kg^-1 soil). The greater supply of Zn to inoculated roots was attributed to an apparent diffusion process rather than to mass flow of Zn.     

土地利用变化对中国西南热带湿润地区土壤磷动态的影响

Land use changes can greatly influence soil phosphorus (P) dynamics, especially when converting native forests to agricultural land. Soils in Xishuangbanna, which is one of southwest China’s tropical areas that maintain fragments of primary forests, were studied to a) evaluate the effect of two common land use changes, conversion of forests to agricultural land or rubber tree plantation, on the dynamics of available P and total P in bulk soils as well as total P in particle size fractions; b) assess the relationship between soil P dynamics and soil organic carbon (SOC); and c) elucidate the relationship between soil P content and soil properties such as pH and texture. Clearing secondary forests with subsequent shifting cultivation and establishment of rubber tree plantation caused significant decreases (P < 0.05) in available P in 0--20 cm soil depths, whereas for total P there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) when converting to shifting cultivation, rubber tree plantation, or fallow fields at both 0--20 and 20--40 cm depths. Abandonment of fields used for shifting cultivation led to significant increases (P < 0.05) in available P at 20--40 cm depth. In addition, there was a significant positive relationship between soil organic carbon and soil P content. Compared to secondary forests, the ratio of organic carbon to total P in surface soils (0--20 cm) of shifting cultivation and rubber tree plantation was significantly lower (P < 0.05).     

外源磷对土壤无机磷的影响及有效性

通过对我国具有代表性的几个典型土类15年长期定位试验的CK和NPK处理以及原始土壤中无机磷组分的分析，研究施磷肥对土壤无机磷形态的影响及有效性。结果表明，原始土壤中闭蓄态磷和Ca10-P占无机磷比例大，土壤磷有效性低；在不施外源磷条件下连续耕作，各个土类的无机磷总量均逐年减少，其中主要是Ca2-P、Al-P和Fe—P明显降低；长期施用磷肥提高了土壤无机磷总量（TIP）和各组分的含量，其中以Ca2-P、Al-P和Fe—P提高比例显著，而0-P和Ca10-P提高的比例少。说明累积在土壤中的肥料磷多以有效性较高的形态存在。     

Root phosphatase activity of sorghum genotypes grown with organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus 1

Abstract

Relatively insoluble sources of phosphorus (P) may require solubilization, and organic P (P_o) may require hydrolysis to inorganic P (P_i) before P can be readily absorbed by plants roots. The mechanisms for these processes, however, are unknown. Root phosphatase (Pase) activity was measured to assess its relationships to P uptake by seven sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes grown with P_o (ethylammonium phosphate, glycerophosphate, and phenylphosphate) and P_i (KH₂PO₄, calcium tribasic phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, aluminum phosphate, and ferric phosphate) in nutrient solutions in a greenhouse.

Plants grown with P_o had lower root Pase activities than plants grown with P_i NB9040 and SC369–3–1JB (tolerant to low levels of P) had lower root Pase activities than CK60‐Korgi and SC33–9–8‐E4 (sensitive to low levels of P), with the other genotypes having intermediate root Pase activities. Higher root Pase activity was associated with lower root P concentrations, but Pase activity was not related to dry matter yield of roots. In experiments where genotypes were grown three weeks with KH₂PO₄ before being transferred to other sources of P, within four days root Pase activity patterns were similar to those for plants grown initially in the particular P_o or P_i compound. Root Pase activity of sorghum plants appeared to be an indicator of P status or P deficiency stress in the plants, and not associated with making P_o or P_i compounds more available for plant use.     

利用BP神经网络对江淮地区梅雨季节现代化温室小气候的模拟与分析

为对江淮地区现代化温室内梅雨季节的小气候进行模拟与分析，在建立相应的BP神经网络模拟模型的基础上，进一步研究了外部温度、湿度、风速、太阳总辐射和天窗开度5个因素对温室内温度、湿度、风速的影响。研究发现可以使用BP神经网络对梅雨季节的小气候进行模拟，模型具有较高的精度，是对物理模型的有益补充；梅雨季节室内湿度受室外湿度的强烈影响，在5个输入因素中所占比重为51.7%；室内风速主要受室外风速和天窗开度的共同影响，受室外温度的影响较小，所占比重仅为10%；室内温度主要受室外温度和太阳辐射的影响，二者所占比重分别为46.2%和27.9%。     

Testing the importance of spatial configuration of winter habitat for woodland caribou: An application of graph theory

Conservation of remaining woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations requires land management strategies that not only maintain caribou habitat, but also favour habitat connectivity. This study presents and field tests graph theory-based measures of landscape connectivity, and demonstrate an association between the distribution of woodland caribou and well-connected winter habitat. Cost values for the intervening land cover types were determined based on the probability of selection relative to high-quality winter habitat. Habitat connectivity was then represented by linking high-quality habitat patches along least-cost paths through this parameterized cost surface. A randomization procedure was used to assess the animal’s association with habitat connected at increasing distance thresholds to identify appropriate scales of response. A strong relationship was obtained between large clusters of high-quality winter habitat patches and winter GPS telemetry location points (November 1-March 15) from two woodland caribou herds in Manitoba, Canada. This relationship was stronger when only late winter location points (January 1-March 15) were used. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for the spatial configuration of habitat on the landscape and the intervening land cover types when assessing range quality for woodland caribou. They also provide support for the use of graph theory to assist in identifying core activity areas for woodland caribou and key linkages between these areas and other parts of the landscape.     

施磷水平对晋南旱地冬小麦产量及磷素利用的影响

在自然降水条件下, 通过大田试验研究了施磷量对晋南旱地冬小麦部分抗性指标、产量、磷素利用率以及1 m土壤磷素形态分布特征的影响。结果表明: 施磷可以提高旱地冬小麦抗逆性、穗数, 进而提高产量, 但对穗粒数和千粒重影响不明显。在0~120 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2施磷范围内, 小麦生育期旗叶硝酸还原酶(NR)活性、穗数和产量随施磷量增加显著增加, 丙二醛(MDA)和脯氨酸(Pro)含量随施磷量增加显著降低。当施磷量达到180 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2时, 旗叶中MDA、Pro含量降低幅度较小, 甚至会升高; NR活性除抽穗期外不再有显著变化, 穗数和产量变化亦不显著。磷素施入土壤后易固定, 导致磷肥利用率偏低, 当季回收率仅为9%~13%, 以施磷60~120 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2为最高。1 m土壤各土层Hedley形态磷分布特征表现为: HCl-Pi>Residual-P> HCl-Po>NaOH-Pi>NaHCO₃-Pi>NaOH-Po>H₂O-Pi>NaHCO₃-Po>H₂O-Po, 其中以HCl-P和Residual-P为主, 分 别占全磷的75%和20%左右, H₂O-P、NaHCO₃-P和NaOH-P含量共占全磷的5%左右。施入土壤中的磷素当 季主要被固定在0~20 cm土层, 不同Hedley形态磷增加量总体在0~39.11 mg·kg^-1之间, 且施磷越多, 被固定磷素就越多。综合考虑冬小麦抗逆性、产量及磷素利用率, 当地旱作冬小麦施磷量(P₂O₅))以120 kg·hm^-2左右为宜。     

Zinc nutrition of rice as influenced by crop establishment methods,rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization and inoculation with microbial consortia

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) fertilization in rice is important to enhance productivity and increase Zn concentration in rice grain to improve its nutritional status. A field experiment was conducted in wet seasons of 2013 and 2014 to study Zn nutrition of rice in three different crop establishment methods (CEMs) viz. puddled transplanted rice (PTR), system of rice intensification (SRI) and aerobic rice system (ARS), under three different rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) viz. 0, 75 and 100% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (120?kg N ha^?1 and 25.8?kg P ha^?1) and two different sources of N and P viz. chemical fertilizer and microbial inoculation (MI). Concentration and uptake of Zn at different growth stages and in straw and milled rice was significantly higher in PTR and SRI than ARS. Soil DTPA–extractable Zn content of soil was increased by 1142.4, 1140.3 and 755.8?g ha^?1 in PTR, SRI and ARS after two year of Zn fertilization (soil application of 5?kg Zn ha^?1). Zinc nutrition increase its Zn concentration in straw and milled rice and improvement in total uptake was 38.1, 40.3 and 40.8?g ha^?1 when Zn was applied with RDF, 75% RDF + Anabaena sp. (CR1) + Providencia sp (PR3) consortia (MI1) and 75% RDF + Anabaena-Pseudomonas biofilmed bio-fertilizer (MI2), respectively. Positive correlation between milled rice yield and Zn concentration (R²= 0.95 and 0.97) showed the importance of Zn nutrition in improving rice yield. Zinc concentration at 70?days after sowing (DAS) and 100 DAS was also found positively correlated with dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass carbon in soil.     

Soil phosphorous buffer coefficient as influenced by time and rate of P addition

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of time and rate of phosphorus (P) addition on phosphorus availability and phosphorus buffer coefficient in some calcareous soils. Phosphorus was added to the samples at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg P kg^?1 soil. The samples were incubated for 0.041, 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 90 days at constant temperature and moisture. Extractable phosphorus was determined after the incubation. The results showed a sharp decrease in available P within 1 h after P addition. There was a linear relation between added P and extractable P in all soils. The buffer coefficients of soils were estimated by Olsen P for above incubation periods. Generally the buffer coefficient decreased with increasing time of incubation. The results indicated that inputs of between 23 – 59 mg kg^?1 are required to raise Olsen P by 10 mg kg^?1 in these calcareous soils, which assuming 2500 t soil ha^?1, gives a required input of 58 – 148 kg P ha^?1.     

Effect of superphosphate applications on soil phosphorus and on crop phosphorus removal by the strawberry

Abstract

Rate of superphosphate application significantly increased the Bray #2 (easily acid soluble plus adsorbed P) and “AlPO₄”; fractions for 3 successive years. A single dolomitic limestone application increased “FePO₄”; by an average of 36% one year after application. Crop P removal by the strawberry cv. ‘Acadia’ was approximately 2–3 ppm each year and it was not possible to relate this small amount to any of the soil P fractions determined.     

Magnesium accumulation and mineral balance in sudangrass as influenced by potassium,calcium and sodium

Abstract

Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense, ‘Piper’ Stapf) was grown in the greenhouse in a slightly calcareous sample of Shano silt loam. The purpose of the study was to evaluate plant response to Mg and to determine any changes in Mg nutrition following individual or composite application of Mg, Ca, K and Na as nitrate compounds. The concentration of Mg in plant tissue decreased following K application and increased with each increment of Mg applied irrespective of variations in the proportions of Ca and Na included in the treatments. A base treatment including Ca, Na, and K applied with or without Mg showed a significant yield response to Mg. The Mg response was attributed to a more favorable ionic balance in the growth medium with respect to Mg because the soil was not particularly Mg deficient. Application of Mg in this case lowered the plant K concentration significantly, increased the concentration of Mg, and gave a lower K/(Ca+Mg) ratio in the foliage than was obtained without Mg. Results suggest that high levels of other nutrient cations may adversely affect the Mg nutrition of crops growing on alkaline soils not abundantly supplied with available Mg.     

Eucalyptus growth and phosphorus nutritional efficiency as affected by soil compaction and phosphorus fertilization

ABSTRACT

Soil compaction interferes in soil nutrient transport and root growth. The aim of this work was to evaluate eucalypt growth and phosphorus (P) nutritional efficiency as affected by soil compaction and P rates. The treatments were composed of a 3 × 4 factorial scheme (soil bulk densities levels versus P fertilization rates) for two weathered tropical soils, a clayey Ferralsol (F_Clayey) and a sandy Ferralsol (F_Sandy). The soil bulk densities assessed were 0.90, 1.10 and 1.30 g cm^?3 for F_Clayey, and 1.35, 1.55 and 1.75 g cm^?3 for F_Sandy. The P rates were 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg kg^?1 for F_Clayey, and 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1 for F_Sandy. Soil compaction reduced root growth, P content in the plant, P utilization efficiency and P recovery efficiency; and increased average root diameter. Phosphorus fertilization increased root length density, root surface area, dry matter, P content in the plant, P utilization efficiency and P uptake efficiency; and decreased P recovery efficiency. It was concluded that P fertilization is not effective to offset the deleterious effects of soil compaction on eucalypt growth and nutrition.

Abbreviations: F_Clayey: clayey Ferralsol; F_Sandy: sandy Ferralsol; R_Dens: root length density; R_Diam: root diameter; R_Surf: root surface area; R_DM: root dry matter; S_DM: shoot dry matter; WP_DM: whole-plant dry matter; R_P: root P content; S_P: shoot P content; WP_P: whole-plant P content; PU_tE: P utilization efficiency; PU_pE: P uptake efficiency; PRE: P recovery efficiency.     

施用磷和锌对植株体中锌营养及代谢的影响

A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the growth,the accumulation and translocation of Zn,and the metabolic changes of 24 days old plants of corn and wheat with the varied suply of phosphorus(0,0.12,0.6 and 3.0mmol L^-1)and zinc (0.1 and 2.0umol L^-1) under controlled environmental conditions.The results showed the highest dry matter production of both corn and wheat under the moder ate combination of phosphorus(0.6mmol L^-1) and zinc(2.0 umolL^-1) as compared with other imbalance applications of phosphorus and zinc.Excessive P supply significantly inhibited the translocation of Zn from roots of corn to the aboveground part,thus decreasing the content of Zn in the shoots.Application of 3.0 mmolL^-1 P could also reduce the water-soluble Zn in plant tissues,leading to an increase in the cell plasma membrane permeability,a decrease in the dehydrogenase activity in roots and the activity of nitrate reductase in leaves,and a decline in the uptake of nitrate by plants.A similar decrease occurred in superoxide dismutase(SOD) and plasma membrane adenosine triphosphatase(ATPase)activity in Zn-deficient plants.But,with increasing P supply the activity of ATP ase in both corn and wheat increased and reached the maximum at the P-supplying level of 3.0 mmolL^-1.Similar to the effect of high P supply.no or low P(0.12mmolL^-1) supply could be detrimental to dry matter production and physiological functioning of the plants.Corn plants showed a more significant response to the imbalance supply of P and Zn than wheat plants.The possible physiological and biochemical mechanism of phosphorus-zinc antagonistic interaction in corn and wheat might be attributed to decrease in physiological availability and activation of Zn.     

减磷对华南早晚兼用型水稻产量的影响

为了筛选出适宜华南水稻减量化栽培的品种, 明确其在减磷栽培条件下产量构成特点。本试验以常规优质稻“粤晶丝苗2号”、“桂香占”和杂交稻“华优8305”及超级杂交稻“天优998”为材料, 研究了常规施磷肥(P2, 过磷酸钙450.0 kg·hm^-2)、减量施磷肥(P1, 过磷酸钙315.0 kg·hm^-2)和不施磷肥(P0, 过磷酸钙0 kg·hm^-2)3个处理下水稻生育后期群体LAI、剑叶SPAD值、叶片老化指数、产量及其构成。结果表明: 3个磷肥水平中, P0处理下“华优8305”因总粒数显著最高的优势而获得超高产; P1处理下“天优998”因有效穗数、穗粒数和结实率的优势而高产; P0、P1、P2对“桂香占”产量无显著影响,而 P2处理下“粤晶丝苗2号 ”有效穗数和穗粒数表现出协同提高的优势而获得高产。可见, 华南早晚兼用型常规稻“桂香占”和杂交稻“华优8305”适宜实施磷肥减量化栽培。此外, 对不同磷处理下各水稻品种LAI、SPAD值及叶片老化指数的研究表明, 水稻高产归功于齐穗后绝对值适宜的群体LAI、剑叶高且持久的SPAD值及较大的叶片老化指数等所塑造的后期功能型强“源”.     

Soil organic matter quality as influenced by tillage,lime, and phosphorus

In Eastern Canada, cereal yields are often restricted by soil acidity and low fertility. Continuous cereal production can also lead to soil structural degradation. The addition of lime and fertilizers and the adoption of conversation tillage practices are proposed solutions which may have a positive impact on soil quality. The objective of the present work was to assess the impact of 3 years of different tillage practices and P additions, and of a single lime addition on organic C and total N, microbial biomass C, and on N mineralization at the surface layer (0–7.5 cm) of a Courval sandy clay loam (Humic Gleysol). The easily mineralizable N, total amount of N mineralized in 22.1 weeks, the rate of N mineralization, and microbial biomass C were significantly greater in the minimum tillage than in the moldboard plow treatment. Chisel plow treatment showed intermediate values. The ratios of potentially mineralizable N and of easily mineralizable to total soil N were also significantly larger under minimum tillage and chisel plowing than under moldboard plowing. The lime and P treatments had no significant effect on the measured soil quality parameters. The total amount of N mineralized per unit of biomass C decreased as the tillage intensity increased, suggesting a decrease in the efficiency of the biomass in transforming organic N into potentially plant-available forms and thus a loss in soil organic matter quality. The results of this study indicate that conservation tillage practices such as rototilling and chisel plowing are efficient ways of maintaining soil organic matter quality when old pastures are brought back into cultivation.