Impact of secondary forest fallow period on soil microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity dynamics under shifting cultivation in North Eastern Hill region, India

• Published in: Catena (Giessen) 2017-09, Vol.156, p.10-17
• Main Authors: Lungmuana, Singh, Soibam B., Vanthawmliana, Saha, Saurav, Dutta, Sudip K., Rambuatsaiha, Singh, Akoijam R., Boopathi, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burning; Forest vegetation; Organic carbon; Secondary year forest fallow; Soil health
• ISSN: 0341-8162; 1872-6887
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2017.03.017

Length of the secondary forest fallow period has often played an important role in affecting the soil fertility status for first year cultivation of crops in shifting cultivation system. However, information regarding the soils after the first year cultivation is limited. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of different shifting cultivation fallow period on the dynamics of soil health status during the first and second year. Results suggest that increase in the fallow period significantly (p10year maintains one cluster where fallow period including 10 and below maintains another cluster during the first and second year. Results therefore suggest that MBC, MBC:SOC and soil enzyme activities played as an indicator of soil health and maintaining secondary forest fallow period >10years was better in conserving soil health for first and second year under shifting cultivation. •Lengthening forest fallow period decreased bulk density and increase total N, total P, SOC, MBC and soil enzyme activities.•SOC, MBC and soil enzyme activities decreased after burning.•MBC and soil enzyme activities increased during second year without cultivation.•Better soil health was observed due to forest fallow period >10years.