Effect of Nutrient Management on δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C Isotopes and Enzyme Activities in Higher Altitude Agricultural Soils, India

Mani, Sudhakaran; S, Avudainayagam; K, Boomiraj; N, Sethupathi

Effect of Nutrient Management on δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C Isotopes and Enzyme Activities in Higher Altitude Agricultural Soils, India

2021

Mani, Sudhakaran | S, Avudainayagam | K, Boomiraj | N, Sethupathi

This research under field experimental conditions was conducted to evaluate the effects of nutrient management on δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C isotopes and soil enzyme activities in higher altitude agricultural soils. Three composite soil samples were collected from each of the organic management (ORG), inorganic management (IM) and control (CON) experimental plots from the fall of September 2017 to August 2018. δ¹⁵N was significantly higher (8.95‰) in ORG soils compared than IM (8.07‰) and CON (6.36‰). In contrast δ¹³C was higher (-16.49‰) in CON soils compared to IM (-19.26‰) and ORG (-19.8‰). Soils from ORG had significantly higher levels of total N, total C, total S, organic carbon, available N, extractable P, Soil organic carbon stock, exchangeable K and enzyme activities compared to IM and CON. Urease, β – glucosidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, invertase, cellulase and dehydrogenase activities were significantly increased the δ¹⁵N and reduced δ¹³C in agricultural soils. Our results suggested that organic management had improved the δ¹⁵N, plant available nutrients and soil enzyme activities. Stable δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C isotopes are good indicators to monitor the soil health and C and N biogeochemical cycles in higher altitude agricultural soils.

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