Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):513-518 | DOI: 10.17221/3283-PSE

Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol

H.W. Scherer1, D.J. Metker1, G. Welp2
1 INRES-Plant Nutrition, Bonn, Germany
2 INRES-Soil Science, Bonn, Germany

We studied the long-term effect (about 45 years) of farmyard manure, sewage sludge and compost application in two increments on organic carbon (Corg), the amount (Cmic) and activity of the microbial biomass (soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity), total N content and N delivery of soils as compared to manuring with mineral fertilizers. The application of both increments of compost and the high sewage sludge application rate resulted in an increase in Corg while soils treated with both compost application rates and the high farmyard manure application rate showed a significant increase in Cmic. Cmic/Corg ranged between 1.7 and 3.3. Dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration were the greatest in the soil with the highest compost and farmyard manure application rates. Total soil N content was significantly higher in both compost treatments and in the treatment with the high sewage sludge application rate. This was accompanied by the highest N uptake of ryegrass.

Keywords: long-term field experiment; enzyme activity; microbial activity; N delivery; organic manure

Published: November 30, 2011  Show citation

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Scherer HW, Metker DJ, Welp G. Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol. Plant Soil Environ.. 2011;57(11):513-518. doi: 10.17221/3283-PSE.
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