Journal of Environmental Biology

Soil organic carbon, dehydrogenase activity and fluorescein diacetate as influenced by contrasting tillage and cropping systems

in Vertisols of Central India

A. Kumar¹*, V.N. Mishra², A.K. Biswas³ and J. Somasundaram¹

¹Division of Soil Physics, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal-462 038, India

²Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Krishak Nagar, Raipur -492 012, India

³Division of Soil Chemistry and Fertility, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462 038, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: awanish09_raj@yahoo.co.in

Key words

Cropping systems

Dehydrogenase activity

Fluorescein diacetate activity

Soil biological parameters

Tillage systems

Publication Data

Paper received : 29.08.2017???????

Revised received : 19.02.2018????

Re-revised received : 23.03.2018

Accepted : 23.04.2018

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to compare the effects of different tillage systems and cropping systems on soil biological activity in terms of soil organic carbon, labile carbon, dehydrogenase activity, fluorescein diacetate activity and crop productivity.      

Methodology: The yield data of different cropping systems were converted in soybean grain equivalent yield using minimum support price based on 2015 and expressed in q ha^-1. Soil samples were collected randomly from 2-3 locations from the plots at the end of 3^rd crop cycles at 0-5 and 5-15 cm depths during April 2014 with the help of core sampler and processed. The soil samples were analysed using standard analytical procedures.???  

Results: Within tillage system, soil organic carbon was recorded higher in reduced tillage (0.67%), compared to no-tillage (0.66%) and conventional tillage (0.62%) at 0-5 cm depth. The labile carbon in surface soil (0-5 cm) followed same trend of soil organic carbon, whereas at 5-15 cm depth, it followed the trend : no-tillage > reduced tillage > conventional tillage. Furthermore, soil enzymatic activity was significantly affected by the imposed tillage systems. The results of dehydrogenase activity reported higher in no-tillage system compared to reduced and conventional tillage; whereas fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis was reported higher in reduced tillage followed by no-tillage and conventional tillage at surface soil (0-5 cm). Pearson correlation (r) showed significant correlations between soil organic carbon and soil biological parameters. It was inferred that cropping system had a significant effect on soybean grain equivalent yield at end of 3rd crop cycles. The results of this study also confirmed effectiveness of studied parameters as soil indicators owing to sensitivity towards management practices.??       

Interpretation: Soil microbial activities greatly influenced with depth as in the upper layer than 5-15 cm depth. Significantly positive correlation between soil organic carbon and microbial activities indicated enhanced microbial biodiversity, maintaining a better environment for stabilizing soil quality due to tillage and cropping systems applied.

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