Bioindicators Of Soil Quality Research Articles

The abundance of soil fauna in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park at altitude: 1100 – 1300 masl

As a bioindicator of soil quality and controller of soil dynamic (fertility), soil fauna is influenced by various environmental factors like climate and edaphic elements. This research aimed to examine the abundance of soil fauna in a lower montane forest ecosystem at different elevations and analysed how the environment affects their abudance. The study used purposive sampling in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, specifically at altitude of 1,100 masl; 1,200 masl; 1,300 masl; and an open area (1,230 masl) as a control. LSD test revealed a significant difference on soil fauna abundance between the 1,100 masl elevation and the control group. However, there was no significant difference of soil fauna abundance between altitude of 1,200 masl and 1,300 masl. The highest abundance of soil fauna was found at 1,100 masl, with 156 individual/m2. Conversely, the lowest abundance of soil fauna was recorded in the open area at 1,230 masl, with 3 individual/m2. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that soil fauna had positive correlation with light intensity and air temperature, and negative correlation with air humidity. Furthermore, Soil fauna abundance had also positive correlation with edaphic parameters (CEC, C-org., litter weight, soil respiration, porosity, and soil temperature, except soil pH and bulk density.

Sensitivity of Microbiological Properties of a Rhodic Ferralsol in Response to Management and Environmental Variables in Subtropical Brazil

ABSTRACT Management practices and soil environmental variables influence microbiological properties and may cause inaccuracies in the interpretation of the results of these bioindicators. This study evaluated the sensitivity of seven microbiological properties to soil management and environmental variables of a Rhodic Ferralsol from a subtropical region of Brazil. The experimental area was cultivated with crotalaria and corn, followed by a fallow period. Samples were collected monthly for a year to determine soil enzyme activities and heterotrophic bacteria and fungi counts. Soil respiration was evaluated directly in the field. Total hydrolytic activity, cellulases, proteases, dehydrogenases and soil respiration were sensitive to management. Moreover, soil respiration was sensitive to fluctuations in soil temperature (r = 0.75) and pre-sampling precipitation (r = 0.54). Dehydrogenase activity was sensitive to soil moisture (r = 0.72) and total microorganisms (r = 0.61). The bacterial (5.69 ± 0.37 log10 CFU g soil−1) and fungal (3.99 ± 0.42 log10 CFU g soil−1) counts showed low sensitivity to soil management and environmental variables. The seven microbiological properties evaluated responded differently to the management and environmental variables. This information must be considered when using soil quality bioindicators to avoid errors in interpreting results.

Biogeographical patterns of the soil fungal:bacterial ratio across France.

Soils are one of the major reservoirs of biological diversity on our planet because they host a huge richness of microorganisms. The fungal:bacterial (F:B) ratio targets two major functional groups of organisms in soils and can improve our understanding of their importance and efficiency for soil functioning. To better decipher the variability of this ratio and rank the environmental parameters involved, we used the French Soil Quality Monitoring Network (RMQS)-one of the most extensive and a priori-free soil sampling surveys, based on a systematic 16 km × 16 km grid and including more than 2,100 samples. F:B ratios, measured by quantitative PCR targeting the 18S and 16S rDNA genes, turned out to be heterogenously distributed and spatially structured in geographical patterns across France. These distribution patterns differed from bacterial or fungal densities taken separately, supporting the hypothesis that the F:B ratio is not the mere addition of each density but rather results from the complex interactions of the two functional groups. The F:B ratios were mainly influenced by soil characteristics and land management. Among soil characteristics, the pH and, to a lesser extent, the organic carbon content and the carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio were the main drivers. These results improved our understanding of soil microbial communities, and from an operational point of view, they suggested that the F:B ratio should be a useful new bioindicator of soil status. The resulting dataset can be considered as a first step toward building up a robust repository essential to any bioindicator and aimed at guiding and helping decision making. IMPORTANCE In the face of human disturbances, microbial activity can be impacted and, e.g., can result in the release of large amounts of soil carbon into the atmosphere, with global impacts on temperature. Therefore, the development and the regular use of soil bioindicators are essential to (i) improve our knowledge of soil microbial communities and (ii) guide and help decision makers define suitable soil management strategies. Bacterial and fungal communities are key players in soil organic matter turnover, but with distinct physiological and ecological characteristics. The fungal:bacterial ratio targets these two major functional groups by investigating their presence and their equilibrium. The aim of our study is to characterize this ratio at a territorial scale and rank the environmental parameters involved so as to further develop a robust repository essential to the interpretation of any bioindicator of soil quality.

Is there a relationship between enchytraeids diversity and community with soybean (Glycine max L.) productivity in no‐till system in subtropical soils of Brazil?

AbstractThe relationship between the productivity of crops of agricultural interest and their interactions with physicochemical soil properties is widely explored. However, there is still a gap concerning the contribution of biological soil attributes and especially the relationship between crop productivity and the structures of organism communities within the soil, such as the enchytraeids. This paper aimed to evaluate the diversity and structures of enchytraeids communities in subtropical soils and their relationship with soybean productivity and soil properties within a no‐tillage system. This study was conducted in soybean growing grounds working under no‐till farming systems in southern Brazil. Samples were collected according to ISO 23611‐3 and extracted with the hot–wet methodology. The organisms were identified up to their genus level. Enchytraeids density increased with the increase of soybean productivity for both evaluated crops. Enchytraeus, Fridericia, and Hemienchytraeus were more abundant in high productivity and genus Achaeta was only found in the second crop and was not a sensitive indicator toward changes in soybean productivity. Regarding the relationship between the enchytraeid community and soil attributes, the variables clay, phosphorus, moisture contents, pH, Ca/Mg as well as carbon and nitrogen from soil and litter, affected Enchytraeidae distribution. Enchytreids showed significant correlations with soybean productivity in the no‐tillage system for subtropical soils in Brazil, demonstrating potential bioindicators of soil quality and consequently of soybean productivity.

Soil biological quality as affected by vegetation types in shrublands of a semi-arid montane environment

Mountain shrublands in semi-arid zones have a relevant effect in protecting water and soil, and conserving biodiversity. Nutrient availability in vegetation layers of semi-arid shrublands, may increase biomass production and litter accumulation rates that may affect the soil nutrient cycle through the positive feedback. However, the effect of semi-arid mountainous shrublands on litter quality and soil properties is poorly studied. To fill these gaps, we studied different vegetation types (i.e., Ulmus carpinifolia Gled., Berberis integerrima Bunge, Malus orientalis Ugl., Pistacia atlantica Desf., Amygdalus lycioides Spach., Rhus coriaria L., Cotoneaster kotschyi Klotz. and Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.), to assess litter quality, soil properties, and C and N mineralization in Iran. Totally, 240 litter or organic horizon and topsoil (0–10 cm depth) samples were taken under the studied vegetation types. Based on analysis of variance and Tukey test, soil fauna (earthworms, acarina, collembola, nematode, protozoa), microflora (bacteria and fungi), microbial (basal and substrate-induced respirations, microbial biomass) and enzyme (urease, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase and invertase) properties, as well as C and N mineralization were highest under deciduous species, especially U. carpinifolia vegetation type. Conversely, J. excelsa, as an evergreen species, decreased soil quality bio-indicators by decreasing litter quality and soil fertility in the high mountain vulnerable semi-arid sites. Based of heat plots of principal component analysis, soil biological and biochemical properties, especially enzyme indicators, created hot spots of soil quality under the studied vegetation types. As a conclusion, deciduous species are the hotspot's bioindicator in the mountainous ecosystems, indicating their potential role in enriching soil nutrient cycles.

Role of Soil pH, Lipases and Catalase Activities in the Degradation of Spent Engine Oil and Crude Oil Pollution on Agricultural Soil

The activities of soil pH, lipases and catalase is prominent to oil degradation in the soil and their concentration gives useful information on soil’s the microbial activities. Six lots research site were polluted with spent engine oil and bonny light crude oil as follows A1 = 60cm3 farmland + 2dm3 of spent engine oil; A2 = 60cm3 farmland + 4dm3 of spent engine oil; A3 = 60cm3 farmland + 6dm3 of spent engine oil; B1 = 60cm3 farmland + 2dm3 of spent engine oil; B2 = 60cm3 farmland + 4dm3 of spent engine oil; B3 = 60cm3 farmland + 6dm3 of spent engine oil. Soil samples were collected at specified periods and analyzed for soil pH, catalase and lipase activity. Highest soil pH for topsoil (4.950 ± 0.025) was observed in weeks 2 A2, while at 15cm depth, the highest soil pH (4.390 ± 0.033) was observed in weeks 6 A3. At 30 cm depth, the highest soil pH was 5.385 ± 0.062 for weeks 6 B3. Lipase activity for topsoil was highest in weeks 8 A3 with a value of 3.460 ± 0.038 Unitsml-1. At 15cm depth, highest lipases activity was also observed in weeks 8 A3 with a value of 5.751 ± 0.037 Unitsml-1, while that of 30cm depth was observed in week 7 A2, with a value of 5.050 ± 0.047 Unitsml-1. Highest catalase activity for topsoil was observed in weeks 6 A3 with a value of 0.594 ± 0.047 X102µgml-1, while 15cm depth was 0.534 ± 0.012 X10-2 µgml-1 for week 2 B2 and 30cm depth was 0.472 ± 0.060 X10-2 µgml-1 for weeks 1 A1. The sensitivity of these soil enzymes to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution as observed in this study makes them early sensitive bioindicators of soil quality and soil health.

Ecotoxicity of Single-Use Plastics to Earthworms

The excessive use of plastics in recent years, especially so-called single-use plastics, has led to an incipient increase in the presence of this material in the soil. As soil is the essential production factor in agriculture, this study aims to test the toxicity to earthworms of different concentrations of plastics using the same substrate for each sample. Earthworms are the main bioindicator of soil quality and are of particular ecological value because their disappearance or loss in population would have disastrous consequences for the environment. This study examines the growth, mortality and reproductive cycle of individual earthworms. The species to be studied is Eisenia fetida and during the test, individuals are immersed in five different concentrations: 1 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg; 100 mg/kg; 1000 mg/kg; and 2000 mg/kg. Bioplastic OK industrial compost (that meet the requirements established to comply with compostability according to EN 13432) was used. Whether the plastic in any of those concentrations is harmful to the worm population was then be checked. The test shows the mixture of PLA and PBAT (biodegradable plastic) studied has no significant effect on the population of Eisenia fetida. None of the variables studied yields significant data on this plastic and the effect it causes on the population of earthworms, Eisenia fetida.

Impact of environmental factors on edaphic springtail populations

A description is given of the abiotic and biotic factors that affect edaphic springtail distribution and the main role that collembola play in soil development. Collembola degrade organic matter that has been inoculated with microorganisms, which they control and disperse. They also help decompose recalcitrant molecules in ecosystems, release nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements into soils, and control phytopathogenic fungi in crops, as well as stimulate microbial respiration and serve as soil quality bioindicators. Water is the main factor that determines whether springtail populations are present, followed by temperature, which in turn controls whether new generations will occur. Enzyme metabolism and even DNA structure is affected by pH. Collembola populations are also affected by materials that enter the soil, including the leaf litter dropped by plant coverage, manures and soil fertilizers, and are regulated by the ascending forces in an ecosystem.

The effect of Crataegus and Berberis canopy types on bioindicators of soil quality in a semi-arid climate

Crataegus and Berberis shrublands are natively distributed in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. Despite the widespread distribution of these two species, the effect of pure and mixed canopy composition of these species on bioindicators of soil quality has received little attention. In the current research, the effect of pure [Crataegus (PC) and Berberis (PB)] and mixed [Crataegus and Berberis with almost equal canopy cover (50C:50B), Crataegus-dominated stand (70C:30B) and Berberis-dominated stand (30C:70B)] canopy types on litter properties, soil fauna and flora communities in different depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) was studied in the Mazandaran province, Iran. A total of 75 litter and 225 soil samples were collected and analysed. The results of this research showed that soil micro-climate and fertility are the main drivers of the population, composition and diversity of soil biota under the studied canopy covers. Increased soil temperature commonly had adverse effects on the populations of soil biota in the study area. Accordingly, the 50C:50B canopy type with a more appropriate micro-climate (i.e., higher soil moisture and lower soil temperature) and fertile soils showed higher populations of soil organisms, especially in the topsoil (0–10 cm). It is expected that results can improve scientific approaches to better comprehend of soil functions mechanism in the different canopy covers and also help to optimize land cover structures and enhancing of ecosystem services in semi-arid regions.

Collembola are Among the Most Pesticide-Sensitive Soil Fauna Groups: A Meta-Analysis.

Pesticides are a major concern because of their deleterious impacts on biodiversity and on the ecological functions provided by living organisms. Although earthworms are well studied, smaller-sized organisms, such as Collembola, also contribute to the agroecosystem functioning, and their sensitivity to pesticides makes them good bioindicators of soil quality. Using data from 21 publications, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the pesticide sensitivity of Collembola with other soil invertebrate groups and discuss the relevance of including tests on representatives of this microarthropods group in European regulation tests. We defined a paired observation as the median lethal concentration or the median effect concentration values for both Collembola species and another soil fauna group (Acari, enchytraeids, earthworms, isopods, and nematodes) under a unique combination of author, year, substance, and type of soil (61 and 57 paired observations for reproduction and lethal effects). In some studies, paired comparisons were available for several groups of soil fauna. We demonstrated that Collembola are among the most sensitive soil fauna groups to a variety of pesticides, notably for effects on reproduction, mostly compared with earthworms and enchytraeids. Because there are several modes of exposure and explaining factors, we suggest moving from a single-species study to a food-chain approach integrating different taxonomic groups. Differences between soil fauna groups in sensitivity or response to pesticides could have effects on soil communities and also on soil functions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2333-2341. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae in two national cocoa production systems (organic and chemical fertilization) in the province of Los Ríos, Ecuador

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of mycorrhizae in national cocoa plantations (Theobroma cacao L.) with different production systems, through the relationship between soil physicochemical characteristics and the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizae as bioindicators of soil quality. Sixty soil and root samples were taken from the cantons of Quevedo, Buena Fé, Valencia, La Maná, and Mocache, to recover and count arbuscular mycorrhizae that inhabit the cocoa rhizosphere. Descriptive statistical methods were used for the general representation of the results of the observations; inferential methods were used to determine if the study factor (fertilizer application) in the influence on the ecological parameters of mycorrhizae. In terms of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species richness, the PERMANOVA test showed that there were no significant statistical differences in fungal genus richness between farms with fertilization (p: 0.9936). I

Biochemical analyses demonstrate that Bt maize has no adverse effects on Eisenia fetida.

The potential effects of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) maize on non-target organisms should be evaluated before such maize is commercially planted. Earthworms play an indispensable role in the soil ecosystem; act as important bio-indicators of soil quality and environmental pollution. Therefore, earthworms are often used as the object to evaluate the non-target effect of Bt maize. To accelerate the commercialization of transgenic maize in China, a 90-day Eisenia fetida feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of Bt maize line, BT799—which was developed by China Agricultural University and contains the Cry1Ac gene—and its non-Bt conventional isoline—Zheng 58—on E. fetida. Our results showed that the Bt maize line had no significant effects on the growth, reproduction, or enzymatic activities of these earthworms. In summary, Bt maize had no toxic effects on E. fetida.

Effects of cultivation soils and ages on microbiome in the rhizosphere soil of Panax ginseng

To protect the limited forest resources, forestry soils for Panax ginseng cultivation is gradually replaced by farmland, but the extent to which soil type and cultivation age affects soil microbiome in the ginseng rhizosphere is not well known. By using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S and ITS2 rRNA genes, we tested the effects of two soil types (forest, and farmland) and three cultivation ages (four, five, and six years) on soil microbiome in the ginseng rhizosphere from nine locations in Jilin Province, China. Relative abundance and diversity of rhizosphere microbes differed among soil samples, and Ascomycota, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla. Soil type positively influenced fungal community, while cultivation age had more positive effect on bacterial than on fungal community. Richness and diversity of fungal community was greater in forest than in farmland soils, while these parameters for bacterial communities were lower in forest than in farmland soils. A deterioration of soil fertility and continuous cultivation increased the proportion of pathogens such as Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon, but reduced the proportion of beneficial and neutral fungi and bacteria. The observed changes in soil properties (pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium) caused by soil type and cultivation age could be explained by the variations in the microbiome. A network analysis indicated that farmland and increasing cultivation age augmented the proportion of pathogens but diminished the proportion of beneficial and neutral fungi and bacteria. The present study showed that the rhizosphere microbiome differed between forest and farmland soils. Cultivation age had a stronger influence on bacterial than on fungal community. These findings suggested that soil microbiome dynamics may be a bioindicator of soil quality, and defining the microbial players involved in various cultivation ages will promote the selection and adoption of favorable ginseng cultivation lands.

MICROFUNGAL COMMUNITY FROM ORGANICALLY AMMENDED SOILS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMON BEAN AND BELL PEPPER CROPS

Soil is a reservoir of microorganisms including microfungi that play a key role as saprotrophs, plant mutualists, symbionts, decomposers, pathogens and excellent bio-indicators of soil quality. The diversity of soil fungi communities is influenced by products used in the life cycle of each crop. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of soil fungal community in bean and bell pepper crop. For pepper crop two plant protection methods were applied - i) diatomite in three different doses: 75 kg ha-1 (T1), 150 kg ha-1 (T2), and 300 kg ha-1 (T3) and ii) biological control agent Trichoderma asperellum Td85 strain (T4). For bean crop the T4 was not applied. After soil isolation for bean crop resulted 461 colonies clustered in 49 OTUs while for pepper resulted 436 colonies clustered in 56 OTUs. Pepper crop had a higher activity of soil fungi compared to bean crop, fact evidenced by a higher index of Simpson 1-D (evenness), Shannon (richness and the evenness) and Margalef (richness) tests. Even if treatment with Trichoderma sp. wasn`t applied on bean crop, the fungus was present in the soil naturally and had the highest value of CF% (colonization frequency).

MICROFUNGAL COMMUNITY FROM ORGANICALLY AMMENDED SOILS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMON BEAN AND BELL PEPPER CROPS

Soil is a reservoir of microorganisms including microfungi that play a key role as saprotrophs, plant mutualists, symbionts, decomposers, pathogens and excellent bio-indicators of soil quality. The diversity of soil fungi communities is influenced by products used in the life cycle of each crop. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of soil fungal community in bean and bell pepper crop. For pepper crop two plant protection methods were applied - i) diatomite in three different doses: 75 kg ha-1 (T1), 150 kg ha-1 (T2), and 300 kg ha-1 (T3) and ii) biological control agent Trichoderma asperellum Td85 strain (T4). For bean crop the T4 was not applied. After soil isolation for bean crop resulted 461 colonies clustered in 49 OTUs while for pepper resulted 436 colonies clustered in 56 OTUs. Pepper crop had a higher activity of soil fungi compared to bean crop, fact evidenced by a higher index of Simpson 1-D (evenness), Shannon (richness and the evenness) and Margalef (richness) tests. Even if treatment with Trichoderma sp. wasn`t applied on bean crop, the fungus was present in the soil naturally and had the highest value of CF% (colonization frequency).

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE CONSERVATION OF LIFE ON THE GROUND

The soil has an innumerable diversity of living beings, whose function is to maintain balance and proper functioning, which is why these beings can be known as bioindicators of soil quality. Thus, this theme becomes very important in environmental education, which in many places addresses this issue through research and teaching projects that aim to encourage people to think more sustainably in relation to the soil and especially the environment. The present work provides a survey of information on the subject and highlights the importance of soil invertebrates.

Impact of Environmental Conditions and Management on Soil Arthropod Communities in Vineyard Ecosystems

The importance of soil biodiversity and soil-based ecosystem services in the context of viticulture has recently been emphasized. Over 85% of soil fauna species richness is represented by edaphic arthropod communities. Edaphic arthropod responses to soil characteristics and management practices can be considered as good bioindicators of soil quality. Here, 168 soil samples that were collected from 2014 to 2019 in several vineyards of different Italian wine-growing areas were analyzed to explore how arthropod communities respond to several factors that are characteristic of vineyard ecosystems. The analysis of the combined effects of the primary abiotic variables (the chemical and physical characteristics of soil) and management practices (organic vs. conventional, soil inter-row management) on soil biological quality (assessed by QBS-ar index) identified soil temperature and soil texture as the abiotic factors exerting the most significant effect on the QBS-ar values. Organic vineyards exhibited higher QBS-ar values compared to those of conventionally managed vineyards, and subsoiling negatively influenced the soil biological quality.

Epigean fauna in no-till systems, pasture, eucalyptus and native savanna in Uruçuí, Piauí, Brazil

The soil fauna is one of the bioindicators of soil quality that has greater sensitivity, being easily altered by changes that occur in natural and agricultural ecosystems. The objective of this work was to evaluate the density and diversity of the soil macrofauna and the functional groups of the epigeal macrofauna that are most representative in no-tillage, pasture, eucalyptus cultivation and native savanna systems in Uruçuí, Piauí, Brazil. Five soil management systems were used: pasture (PAS); no tillage soybean in corn straw (NT1); no tillage of corn under straw of mombaça grass (NT2); eucalyptus (EUC), in addition to a savanna area used as a reference (FA). Fauna collection was performed using pitfall traps containing 4% formaldehyde. The fauna was evaluated by the number of individuals per trap per day, wealth, average wealth, Shannon’s diversity index and Pielou’s uniformity index. The data was subjected to analysis of variance, and when significant, was subjected to the Friedman test. The pasture system had the least impact on edaphic fauna when compared to native savanna forest and when compared to management systems and the collembola, orthoptera and diptera groups were the most abundant in the studied management systems.

Soil macrofauna as a bioindicator of soil quality in successional agroforestry systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate soil macrofauna as a bioindicator of soil quality in successional agroforestry systems and secondary forests. The study was conducted in the southern lower region of Bahia in Brazil, in two areas: a successional agroforestry system (AFS18) and native forest (NF). AFS18 consists of two species: mahogany (Khaya ivorensis and Khaya grandifoliola), açaí (Euterpe oleracea), cacao (Theobroma cacau) and banana (Musa spp.). Sampling was carried out in the dry (June) and rainy (October) seasons of 2019, and eight soil monoliths were collected in both areas. A total of 889 individuals from the soil macrofauna were sampled. The highest frequency (RF) of taxons occurred in NF in the rainy season, and the groups that stood out were: Oligochaeta with 42% FR in ASF18, Formicide with 33.9% in NF and Isoptera with 58% in AFS18. The macrofauna structure of the soil varied according to the time of collection. The density of macrofauna individuals differed between areas only in the dry season. The highest number of ind.m² was observed in the area NF (378) when compared to ASF18 (196). TOC, Mg2+, Al3+ and CTC were related to AF on both occasions of collection and AFS18 in the rainy season, K+, P and pH were associated with AFS18 in the dry season. The diversity, equitability and richness of the soil macrofauna was greater in AF area. HFA18 in the rainy season was similar to NF, favoring colonization of the area by soil macrofauna organisms.

Soil quality bioindicators in initial eucalyptus growth under organomineral fertilization based on sugarcane filter cake

Pelletized organomineral fertilizers (OMFs) are a promising, sustainable alternative for eucalyptus fertilization, the most widely cultivated hardwood tree globally. However, little is known about the effects of OMFs on initial plant development and soil quality. We evaluated the effects of different doses of a pelletized OMF derived from sugarcane filter cake (0%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% relative to the recommended phosphorus dose for cultivation) and a mineral treatment (mineral fertilizer at the recommended dose for eucalyptus), as well as the effects of time (30, 60, 90, and 120 days after transplanting), on the morphophysiological responses of eucalyptus plants (diameter at neck height, plant height, and chlorophyll a and b content) and soil pH, microbial biomass (MBC), and microbial activity (soil basal respiration [SBR]). Increases in fertilizer dose led to increased chlorophyll a values, but values decreased under the highest doses (150% and 200%). OMF addition led to an initial increase in soil pH, followed by a reduction. The highest values of plant height, stem diameter, and fresh and dry masses of leaves, stems, and roots were observed when the OMF dose of 50% was administered. MBC values were inversely proportional to the OMF dose, and the SBR and metabolic quotient (qCO2) values observed under the 50% and 100% treatments were equal to or better than those observed under the mineral fertilizer treatment. Pelletized OMFs derived from filter cake could potentially replace mineral fertilization in the early development of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis without damaging soil quality