Early Response of Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity to Biofertilizer Application in Degraded Brunic Arenosol and Abruptic Luvisol of Contrasting Textures

Lidia Sas-Paszt,Małgorzata Brzezińska,Anna Walkiewicz,Andrzej Bieganowski,Magdalena Frąc

doi:10.3390/agronomy10091347

Lidia Sas-Paszt, Małgorzata Brzezińska + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091347

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Abstract

We tested agriculturally and chemically degraded Brunic Arenosol and Abruptic Luvisol of contrasting textures to establish the early response of soil quality to two different mineral fertilizers (Polifoska and urea) amended with microbes applied in optimal and reduced doses. The soil samples were collected from two fields under maize: one week (Ist sampling time) and six months (IInd sampling time) after fertilization. The laboratory experiment included determination of: catalase activity, dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass, and basal respiration; pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were also measured. The silty Luvisol was characterized by higher biological activity than the sandy Arenosol. Biofertilizer addition to degraded soils increased the biological activity, even in reduced doses of additives used; however the responses of the tested microbiological indicators were different. Soil texture affected the positive biomass response to biofertilizers which was observed in samples from Ist sampling time in silty soil, while from IInd sampling time in sandy soil. Based on our results, we propose that Polifoska with microorganisms (used in full dose) may be optimal for silty soil. Polifoska (in reduced dose) and urea (both in full and reduced dose) may be recommended for sandy soils. Increasing pH was a stronger driver of soil biological activity than DOC. Long-term field testing is suggested for validating our results.

Highlights

The declining state of the environment makes it necessary to use non-traditional fertilization methods to reduce soil pollution and have a positive impact on biological functionality
The soils differed in nitrogen content since NH4 + and Nmin was about 3.5 times higher in Abruptic Luvisol than in Brunic Arenosol which may be connected with the susceptibility of sandy soils to leaching [58]
Based on the presented tests, we may suppose that from the tested biofertilizers Polifoska with microorganisms used in full dose may be optimal for silty soils, while Polifoska in reduced dose and urea both in full and reduced dose may act positively in sandy soils

Summary

Introduction

The declining state of the environment makes it necessary to use non-traditional fertilization methods to reduce soil pollution and have a positive impact on biological functionality. They are more ecofriendly [3,5]. Their application can improve soil health and increase crop growth through different mechanisms connected with microbial activity, for example, biological N fixation, phosphorous solubilizing, and phosphate mobilizing [3,6]. It has been confirmed that biofertilizers have the potential for biological reclamation of degraded lands, including after mining activity [15,16]. Biofertilizers may Agronomy 2020, 10, 1347; doi:10.3390/agronomy10091347 www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy

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