Abstract
This study examined changes in soil enzymatic activity caused by constant mineral fertilization with NPK and diversified fertilization with Fe and Mo micronutrients. A field experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications in Siedlce (central-eastern Poland) between 2012 and 2014. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was used as the test plant. The first factor consisted of fertilization treatments: control; NPK; NPKFe1; NPKMo1; NPKFe1Mo1; NPKFe2; NPKMo2, and NPKFe2Mo2. The second factor was composed of the time of soil sampling (15 August 2012, 20 September 2012, 17 June 2013, and 20 July 2014). Mineral fertilization was applied: N-20; P-22; K-124.5; Fe1-0.5; Mo1-0.5; Fe2-1.0; Mo2-1.0 kg ha−1. Application of molybdenum (Mo2-1.0 kg ha−1) in alfalfa fertilized with NPK was optimal for obtaining the beneficial nitrogenase activity. The applied NPKFe1Mo1 fertilization in alfalfa cultivation was optimized to achieve high dehydrogenases activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and acid phosphatase activity. The highest of soil urease activity was determined in soil fertilized with NPKFe2Mo2. The biochemical index (BCHI) of soil fertility reached its highest mean value (254.9) after applying the NPKFe1Mo1. A high BCHI soil fertility index indicates the possibility of generating high alfalfa yields and maintaining good soil culture.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in growing legumes as cultivated plants
The objective of this study was to determine the impact of NPKFeMo fertilization applied to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on the activity of selected soil enzymes, and biochemical index of soil fertility
Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of alfalfa fertilizer treatment, the time of soil sampling, and the interaction of the experimental factors on the activity of nitrogenase (Table 3)
Summary
There has been an increasing interest in growing legumes as cultivated plants. Iron and molybdenum are micronutrients, having a decisive effect on the amount of nitrogen fixed by legume plants [4]. Those nutrients are mainly necessary in the synthesis of nitrogenase, consisting of two protein complexes. Iron affects soil enzymatic activity and the potential viability of plants to grow [5,6,7]. Garbuz et al [12] points out that the diversification of enzymatic activity depends on the physical condition, and it is higher in moist soil. The tillage system influences the increase in the activity of soil enzymes [13,14]. Ploughed-in crop residues affect the diversity and abundance of soil fungal and bacterial communities and enzymatic activity [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
