Biological activity and functional diversity in soil in different cultivation systems

S Jezierska-Tys,J Joniec,J Bednarz,R Cierpiała,S Wesołowska,A Gałązka

doi:10.1007/s13762-020-02762-5

Abstract

The aim of the work was to evaluate the impact of use of conventional and organic cultivation systems on selected parameters of microbial activity in the soil under wheat, barley and oat cultivation. Microbiological, biochemical, enzymatic and metabolic activities were analyzed during three seasons over 3 years in soil. The more beneficial effect of organic cultivation was reflected in the increase in bacterial growth, the intensification of the nitrification and higher activity of all analyzed enzymes. The conventional system was more favorable for the development of fungi. The assessment of the metabolic profile of soil microorganisms demonstrated clear differences between the activity of microorganisms in the organic and conventional systems. The results indicate that cultivation of soil in the organic system is more conducive to the environment. The authors conducted research, because there is no unambiguous answer to the question which growing system is more beneficial for soil biological life, i.e., the basis for food production. Microorganisms that are the object of these studies form the basis for the fertility of all soil ecosystems.Graphic abstract

Highlights

Soils play a key role in defining sustainable land manage‐ ment, as they form the basis of food production (Fließbach et al 2007)
The activity and diversity of soil microorganisms are widely regarded as a sensi‐ tive indicator of the state of a given environment, because they are a living component of the soil environment that rapidly reacts to anthropogenic factors (Nannipieri et al 2002)
Soil conditions in oat cultivation were more con‐ ducive to fungal development in the conventional system (Fig. 2c). The number of these microorganisms was signifi‐ cantly higher in the conventional system compared with their number in the organic system in seasons I (83.4 cfu) and III (113.1 cfu)

Summary

Introduction

Soils play a key role in defining sustainable land manage‐ ment, as they form the basis of food production (Fließbach et al 2007). Soil microorganisms play a critical role in maintaining soil fertility and quality (Zhang et al 2010). They are respon‐ sible, among others, for nutrient cycle, bioavailability and environmental detoxification. Many authors use the number of microorganisms, their diversity, biochemical and enzymatic activity, among others, to assess the impact of different soil cultivation methods on agro-ecosystems. The analysis of the metabolic profile of soil microorganisms is a very good indicator in assessing the quality of the soil environ‐ ment, especially in the context of long-term studies. Such research was conducted by Gałązka et al (2017a, b)

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Conclusion