Short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers influences biochemical and microbial characteristics of soils under an annual crop [Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)]
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Abstract
The study was conducted to determine whether short-term incorporation of organic manures
and biofertilizers influence biochemical and microbial variables reflecting soil quality.
For the study, soils were collected from a field experiment conducted on turmeric
(Curcuma longa L.) involving organic nutrient management (ONM), chemical nutrient
management (CNM) and integrated nutrient management (INM). The findings revealed that
application of organic manures and biofertilizers (ONM and INM) positively influenced
microbial biomass C, N mineralization, soil respiration and enzymes activities. Contrarily,
greater metabolic quotient levels in CNM indicated a stressed soil microbial community.
Principal component analysis indicated the strong relationship between microbial activity
and the availability of labile and easily mineralizable organic matter. The findings
imply that even short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers promoted
soil microbial and enzyme activities and these parameters are sensitive enough to
detect changes in soil quality due to short-term incorporation of biological fertilizers.