The influence of tillage on organic matter degradation in the soil | Augsnes apstrādes ietekme uz organisko vielu sadalīšanās intensitāti augsnē
2015
Dubova, L., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Ruza, A., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Alsina, I., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia)
Associations of microorganisms are an important component of soil biotic communities. Their efficiency is influenced not only by used mineral and organic fertilizers, but also by tillage and crop species. Organic matter accumulation or decomposition affects the amount of available nutrients and soil properties. The amount of nutrients in the soil and therewith crop yield is closely related to the diversity and activity of soil organisms. Activity of microorganisms can be judged directly by decomposition of organic matter intensity and enzyme activity in the soil. Hydrolytic enzyme activity in the soil indicates the intensity of mineralization of organic matter. Experiments were carried out to analyze conventional and minimum tillage effects on soil microbial processes. Soil samples for assessing cellulose degradation intensity and hydrolytic enzyme activity were collected twice or four times during the vegetation period at two soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). It was found that the cellulose activity of microorganisms in the soil differs depending on meteorological conditions of the year. Minimally tilled fields (reduced tillage) compared with conventional tillage (ploughing) maintained plant residues over the soil surface and created favourable conditions for microorganisms which degrade different organic substrates. However, the surface soil is more exposed to fluctuations of environmental conditions. Balanced mineralization and humification process is crucial for sustainability of soil fertility.
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