Impact of Long-Term Application of Organics, Biological, and Inorganic Fertilizers on Microbial Activities in Rice-Based Cropping System

Abstract

ABSTRACTOrganics, biological, and inorganic fertilizers play a crucial role for improving crop yield and soil properties. Accordingly, we assessed their impact on yield, microbial activities, and transformations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in soils under a 12-year-old intensively cultivated rice (Oriza sativa L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) system with sole inorganic (NPK); NPK + farmyard manure (NPKF); NPK + green manure (NPKG) (Sesbania sesban L.), and NPK + green manure + bio-fertilizer (NPKGB) (Azotobacter chroococcum+ pseudomonas putida) treatments in sub-tropical India. The system yield was much higher with NPKF (23%) and NPKGB (18%) than that with NPK. Organic supplementation had a favorable influence on soil microbial biomass C (Cmic), N (Nmic), and activities of extracellular enzymes. Results of principal component and multiple regression analyses showed significant influence of Cmic on system yield (R2 = 91, p = 0.001) and S availability (R2 = 62, p = 0.001). Similarly, mineralizable N and acid phosphatase could predict significantly soil available N (R2 = 85, p = 0.001) and P (R2 = 51; p = 0.001), respectively. Results thus indicated that integrated nutrient management (NPKF/G) improved system yield, nutrient accumulation, and microbial activities in soils.