Effect of Natural, Organic and Inorganic Farming Methods on Microorganisms and Enzymes Activity of Maize Rhizosphere

Abstract

Continuous use of fertilizers decreasing the biological activity of the soil. Fertile soils teem with microorganisms, which directly contribute to the biological fertility of the soil. Microorganisms are responsible for the availability of nutrients to the plants which are already exist in the soil. Hence, the present study focused on to investigate the effect of natural farming on soil microorganisms and enzymes activity of maize rhizospherein comparison with inorganic and organic farming during the autumn season of 2016-17 at Agricultural College, Jagtial. The results of the investigation revealed that the population of microbes (bacteria and fungi) at 30, 60 Days After Sowing (DAS) and harvest was unaffected by variety (Aswini) or hybrid (DHM 117). But, among the different farming methods, organic farming recorded higher bacterial (19, 29 and 22.5 x 10-7 CFU{Colony Forming Unit} g-1 dry soil) and fungi (8.25, 14.67 and 10.25 x 10-5 CFU g-1 dry soil) population at 30, 60 DAS and harvest stage respectively and significantly superior to inorganic and natural methods. The microbial population in inorganic method was inferior to that in absolute control similar to microbial population, highest urease activity was recorded in organic method at 30, 60 DAS and harvest (52.92, 68.33 and 33.25 µg NH4+ g-1 2 h-1, respectively) and it was superior to inorganic and natural farming which were at a par with each other. Significantly higher activity of dehydrogenase was observed with organic farming at 30, 60 DAS and harvest (1.65, 2.29 and 1.72 µg TPF g-1 day-1) compared to natural farming and inorganic farming. The activity of urease and dehydrogenase remained similar with DHM 117 or Aswini.