Selected Soil Enzyme Activities, Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon, and Root Yield as Influenced by Organic Production Systems in Sweet Potato

• Published in: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 2013-04, Vol.44 (8), p.1322-1339
• Main Authors: Nedunchezhiyan, M., Byju, G., Dash, S. N., Ranasingh, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucosidase; Manures; Microbiology; Organic farming; Organic matter; phosphatase; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; soil microbial biomass carbon; Soil science; Soil sciences; Solanum tuberosum; sweet potato; urease
• ISSN: 0010-3624; 1532-2416; 1532-4133
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2012.756506

A field experiment was conducted on Typic Rhedustalfs to determine the effects of various organic production systems. Results revealed that the soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) content was greatest with the application of 100% N through farmyard manure. The ratio index value of biofertilizer along with 50% N through any one of the organic sources were greater than 100% N through green leaf manure / vermicompost, integrated use of manure and fertilizer (conventional production system), and control (traditional system of production). Soil enzymes varied with the production systems. The urease, phosphatase, and β -glucosidase activities were more with greater nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic-matter treatments, respectively. The SMBC, soil enzymes, and microbial activity were very responsive to organic production systems, but their levels and activities were not reflected in sweet potato root yield.