JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Effects of different FYM and fertilizer doses with native mesofauna on soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon in a fodder maize ecosystem

Author:H.M. MAHESH 

Abstract :

Soil health is an important factor in the providing several ecosystem services within agricultural systems. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying levels of farmyard manure (FYM), NPK fertilizers and introduced native soil fauna on soil organic carbon and microbial biomass in fodder maize cultivated under rainfed conditions in long-term treatment plots. The investigation encompassed ten treatments, each featuring different combinations of FYM and conventional fertilizers, which were consistently applied to specific plots over the past thirteen years. The findings indicated that the highest soil organic carbon content was recorded in plots receiving 20 tonnes of FYM per hectare, observed 45 days post-treatment and during the harvesting phase. This was followed by plots treated with 17.5 tonnes of FYM per hectare in combination with 25 percent NPK. Conversely, the lowest soil organic carbon content was found in plots that were treated exclusively with the recommended fertilizer. Additionally, the highest soil microbial biomass was also detected in the plots with 20 tonnes of FYM per hectare, mirroring the trend observed for soil organic carbon, with the 17.5 tonnes of FYM per hectare plus 25 percent NPK plots following closely behind. The lowest microbial biomass content was again recorded in the plots treated solely with the recommended fertilizer.

Key words: FYM, Fertilizer, Introduced native soil fauna, Organic Carbon, Microbial biomass

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