Abstract
Effect of multi cropping (Potato-Jute-Sweetgourd-T.Aman, Sweet gourd-Brinjal-Jute, Cauliflower-Radish-Lentil-Basil, Jute-Lentil-Mustard-Wheat and Sweetgourd-Turnip, designated as P-J-S-T, S-B-J, C-R-L-B, J-L-M-W and S-T, respectively) and mono cropping systems (orchard of Lychee, Teak, Turmeric and Banana) on microbial and enzymatic activity of Ganges floodplain soil was investigated. Organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soil respiration, total nitrogen and urease activity (UA) of the soils were examined. Upon examination it was observed that soils under mono cropping pattern (Lychee, Teak, and Banana) showed significantly (p?0.05) higher MBC, MBN and UA than those under multi cropping pattern. Highest values of MBC and UA found in teak plant were 95.44 milligram/kilogram (mgkg-1) and 6.51µg N released g-1day-1 respectively while for multi cropping pattern the respective values were 37.52 mgkg-1 and 2.23 µg N released g-1day-1 found in S-T and J-L-M-W cropping pattern. The highest MBN (12.70 mgkg-1) was obtained in soil where lychee was practiced. Multi cropping soil showed significantly (p?0.05) higher respiration rate than mono cropping soil and the highest rate was found 508.75 mg CO2 g-1day-1 in J-M-L-W cropping pattern. Turmeric showed the lowest respiration rate (120.75 mg CO2 g-1day-1) among the cropping pattern studied. Both MBC and UA showed positively significant relation with soil organic carbon, and total N at 0.01 % level. High microbial and enzymatic activity of mono cropping soil represent combined effect of vegetation and low tillage practices in soil.
Highlights
With the increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and soil quality, it is important to determine the effect of different crop management practices on soil organic matter
Soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration, the metabolic quotient and soil enzymatic activity can be utilized as indicator for changes in soil quality produced by agricultural management practices [9]
The higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content in mono crop soil may be due to the cultivation of broad leaved plants in which more microorganisms are available for the decomposition of plant materials
Summary
With the increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and soil quality, it is important to determine the effect of different crop management practices on soil organic matter. Horizon e-Publishing Group matter fractions that are considered important include microbial biomass carbon, soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Because of its high turnover rate, microbial biomass carbon could respond more rapidly to change of soil environment than soil organic matter [2]. There is a strong relationship between soil organic matter content and enzyme activities. Both parameters are influenced by cultivation practices. Soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration, the metabolic quotient (qCO2) and soil enzymatic activity can be utilized as indicator for changes in soil quality produced by agricultural management practices [9]. The aim of this research work is to assess the soil microbial and enzymatic activities of the bench mark soil series of Bangladesh with existing cropping pattern of the physiographic unit Ganges floodplain
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